Larry Norman Message Board

It has been my privilege and honor to communicate with Larry via email
and play a small part in some benefit concerts to raise money for his
medical expenses.  My heart is broken for those closest to Larry:
Charles, Kristin and all the rest of the Solid Rock family.  Knowing
he is with Jesus is wonderful and exciting, but it is not the same as
hugging him and laughing with him.

Charles, I hope you know how amazingly proud Larry was of you.  We did
some interacting over the production of a CD for my band, and he
absolutely refused to have it done without you being part of it.  His
trust and respect for you was so huge...

Kristin, how sweet, supportive and humble you have been as you have
taken on all the tasks assigned to you in the Solid Rock world.  Your
open heart and sweet voice on the phone, in the midst of all the
turmoil, excitement and trials of handling the interactions and
dealing with the pain of Larry's illness has been a great example to
me.  Feel God's blessings on you, for I am sure He is actively pouring
them out.

There are a lot of others much closer than I ever was to Larry, but I
hope that we all take the time to recognize the contributions that God
made to the body of Christ through Larry.  Would there even be a such
thing as Integrity music or Hillsong, if Larry and the pioneers in his
wake hadn't refused to knuckle under to pressure from the church and
the record business?  Today many churches feed many sheep that would
never have darkened the door of a church if they were gonna be made
slaves to the fifties cultural church norms that contiune in some churches 
to this day?  

We now have freedom to worship God using exciting and passionate music
and to reach out to souls in the language that souls understand.  I
know when I started playing Jesus Music in churches in the 70's, it
was a challenge because God used instruments, tempos and styles
that were "of the devil" to many folks.  Because of the groundwork laid by
Larry and continued by others, many churches now use those same 
instruments, tempos and styles to worship and glorify God. Already every 
Blud Bros concert ends with our anthem "Why Should the Devil Have All the 
Good Music?"  From this day forward, at the end of each performance, that 
song will be verbally dedicated to it's author, who has now heard those 
treasured words "Well done, good and faithful servant".

God has blessed us through you Larry, and now you are enjoying His
blessings in a way we can only imagine.  

Thank You Sir

Large Al
www.bludbros.com

John wrote:

---

I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the Norman Family.  Larry leaves a wonderful heritage and  a lasting legacy for Christians all over the world.  His music has inspired my family for several decades.  He spent his life influencing many young lives, including mine for Christ!  He has finally gone on to his great reward!  Being in the presence of our Living Father!

May God comfort you through this time of mourning.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Love in Christ,
Kim McNab
Northern Ontario

---

I can't help but agree with a feeling in my heart that a heaping helping of Larry's music held prophetic value. I never met Larry and never got to see him live, but have heard a great deal of his work. I have watched some of Larry's videos on YouTube, and my absolute favorites out of his entire volume of work is the album "Only Visiting This Planet" on which my favorite song was "UFO". Another fave was "I Love You".

I am saddened to see him leave us, but also comforted by the fact that he no longer has to suffer the way he had been. I am so sorry to hear of Larry's passing and freely give my personal prayers, and wishes for comfort, for peace, for healing, for the closeness of all who gather to celebrate Larry's life. May all of this come together as God's blessing to be the glue that holds everyone together in this time and may it last well beyond.

The obvious fact is that beyond Larry's talent as a musician, he was a special person who knew where his heart was. I close leaving you all my personal condolences knowing that Larry is eternally safe at home.

Thank you for the message board for all of us to leave you our encouragement and support!

Dear family of Larry Norman:
I am so saddened to hear the news of Larry's homecoming to be with our Lord, yet very happy that he is finally finished with the physical suffering he has had to endure over the past few years with his health. My biggest regret was that I was not able to make it up to one of his last two shows to see him live one final time up in Oregon. I only had the honor of seeing him in concert one time here in Phoenix, but it was one of the highlights of my life finally getting to see this great artist whom I had been listening to and following his music for so many years. My thoughts and prayers go out to you as you will be missing Larry and at the same time also rejoicing that he is home!
Gary Leonard - Phoenix, Arizona

Wow,

Were do I begin to tell of the impact of Larry on my life.

I was a very lost soul while still living in a Christian home. My life had very little meaning and then someone introduced me to two incredible Christian musicians. Steve Taylor and Larry Norman.

Larry's strong faith and determined personality struck me as did his power to stand up for his faith no matter what the circumstances. Anyone hearing Larry and actually getting a chance to talk to him in person will experience that. Even with the business of music, Larry was never to busy to talk to the people. His message was strong both on the stage and off the stage.

I saw Larry perform at Cornerstone in 1985 with several of my close friends. We drove 14 hours to get there and it was well worth it. Charles was playing with Larry on stage at that time and it was an incredible concert. Afterwards we were able to talk to Larry briefly and get our picture with him. He was genuine and a godly man.

My sincerest condolences to the family of Larry. Charles, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Keep the faith. Larry is up in heaven with a whole body rockin' the heavens. It is going to be loud up there but Jesus will say those words that Larry was waiting for.

"Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have run the race and fought the good fight. Enter and have your rest"

Larry, you have left us all with your "Eternal Signature". Keep watching over us.

Glenn

I never had the pleasure of meeting Larry, but have enjoyed his music more than words could describe. I traveled all over Sweden in the summer of 1973 singing 'I wish we'd all been ready' with a group a other American kids. How wonderful it was to see people come forward to accept Christ after our singing that and other songs written for the Lord's Blessing.

May God hold you close as you go through this valley just as He promised in Psalm 23. May Larry's songs be sung throughout the earth and in Heaven above!

Larry was to modern Christian music what Columbus was to America. He was a great vessel and soft clay for the Lord to use for His will. Until the very last, Larry kept his eyes toward Jesus. I know he was a good and faithful servant.

Hi,

I ran into Larry one day at Roth's IGA about 5 years ago. I didn't really know him, I just knew who he was. When I saw him, the Holy Spirit came upon me. The Lord told me to give him a CD. It was a CD of original praise and worship songs written and sung by my wife. I actually struggled with this thinking, "Oh Lord, he doesn't want to be bothered by me." Of course The Lord prevaled. I waited in the parking lot for Larry to come out. When he did I quickly walked up handing Larry the CD and said, "The Lord told me to give you this." and simply walked away. I get several yards away and Larry yells back at me, "You know, today's my birthday!"

God wanted to bless Larry that day. I'll never forget it.

I was most blessed to have enjoyed Larry's music in concert often in Melbourne and Sydney through the 70s and 80s.
I remember well speaking with him after a show until late one time.
A gifted communicator and musician.
Home to his reward now.

To Larry's family and friends, I am profoundly sorry for your loss, and pray that God will let you smile through your tears as you think of where Larry is now.

Larry's music spoke to me like noone else's.  While I like other music, none has spoken to my soul like Larry's.  Maybe it was the lyrics, maybe it was his vocals, maybe it was his real faith in all his struggles, I don't know.  But in some very real way, Larry's music was like a spiritual tuning fork for me - I can hear a little of what heaven is like in his music.  For that I am, and will always be, profoundly grateful.  Thank you Larry.

Dear Norman Family,

I will always be so grateful for how Larry's music and words reached my heart during times of such darkness in my life.   His influence through his music, words and mostly as an example of Jesus' unstoppable love was truly key in restoring hope in my heart and redirecting my life back to Jesus, time and again as I stumble through this journey, even now.

I am so very sorry for your loss.  The words fall so short. . .

You are all in my thoughts and prayers through this very difficult time.  

Thank you so very much for the love and support you gave Larry all these years.  Thank you for sharing with us all.

I will always be so grateful. . . 

God bless you and keep you all.

Susan  (Peachtree City,  GA)

Charles Norman wrote:

---

Several people requested a message board so they could leave comments or share stories about Larry. Please feel free to write something. It will be of great comfort to Larry's friends and family.

Thank you,

Charles Norman

---

Larry is with our Lord now and I am sure "Well done, my faithful servant" will be lovingly addressed to him.  We will miss you. Larry, and the unique way that you presented your life as an open book for the Lord.  Your inflluence will forever be in my heart.  Your songs live on as a beautiful interpretation of your faith.  I look forward to meeting you when we all rejoice together with Him.  May your family be comforted in knowing you are now out of pain and in the Lord's arms.

Today, as I am sadden, my mind goes back over many years. I praise God for the life of Larry Norman. I think about who I am, and the good that I desire to be. Jesus is the one in my heart, my Savior, though Larry had an overwhelming influence on me. Larry's life was an encouragment me, to embrace this changed life I experienced through salvation. His music, words, all the songs - gave me a greater boldness to lift up Jesus as my Lord and Savior. May God bless and comfort his family at this time. My three year old son James sings all the words to "I wish we'd all been ready", realizing the importance of not being left behind. Larry's life, music, and God's message will live on in the hearts of many. Love, Tim & family

Dear Charles and family-
I had a chance to meet Larry and your dad in San Jose back in the early 1980's. Larry had a concert scheduled at San Jose State, and a friend of mine and I had tickets. We showed up to find your dad and Larry apologizing for the cancellation of the concert because of a new promoter that didn't advertize well, or tell of the rescheduling of the concert. Larry had flown in just for that! They then invited the people who had shown up to join them for pizza there on campus, and we all had a wonderful time with Larry and your dad just talking and having great fellowship. I am dearly sorry for your loss, and pray that your family heals thru this difficult and sad time.
In Christ,
Bob

To The Norman Family,
Honestly, our words cannot express the loss that you are feeling. As part of the wider 'family' I feel the loss of the veteren Christian Rocker. Here in NZ Larry's music touched a generation of 'young people' who have gone on to be disciples of Jesus and leaders in the Church - and the bridge that Larry and Randy made with Christian Rock opened a path that we in the 21st Century enjoy with the Christian Music that so readily abounds.
Larry gifted us with the power of contemporary Christian music and for young men like myself in th 70's this was a God send in a time when Christian music was really sedate.... he said it all when he said "...why should the devil have all the good music..."  Go with power brother -  Arohanui (love) in Christ  Taina S (Kaikohe NZ) 

Larry is loved and missed by so many of us who have been touched by his music and his life. The first song of his I heard was Sweet Song of Salvation back in the early '70's. I now sing that song to my 7 year old daughter as I "tuck her into bed". We both have been blessed these past three years as we've gotten to know Larry at concerts, barbeques, and other events. I can still see the light in his eyes as he smiled at those around him.

I pray that the precious seed God placed in him will continue to grow in new ways. May the generations to come rise up and call him "blessed" as they, too, are touched by the legacy Larry has left through his life and his music.

God bless you Norman family! We send our love and prayers.

Venus and Angel Braning

My family and I, along with countless Australians, are heavy burdened with this sad news. Not since the passing away of our other two Pioneers in Modern Christian Music, Keith Green & Mark Heard, have I/we felt this sadness. What a joy to have met the man and seen and heard him live, whenever he visited Australia. His life, his music and his ministry are a legacy that he has left us. I thank God for Larry and his "tireless family & friends" who have kept me/us in touch over the years. I'm sure that Larry would want us all to stand up for what we believe in and not be swayed by the world. Larry..... you have written so many inspiring songs, it would be so hard to pick "one" favourite. BUT... I guess the one that stands out and has been so influential, is "I wish we'd all been ready".  May we like you..... be ready to meet our Maker!!! Our deepest Sympathy to the family and friends. God  Bless.

Nick & Sophie Holod, Melbourne Australia.

Larry, I will see you again on the other side.  Thank you for sharing the gift of your music and more importantly, your faith.  You had a huge impact on myself and a lot of others while you were "visiting this planet". 

Dear Charles,

Thank you for allowing us to leave messages of farewell to Larry.

Larry,

Thank you for the song "I Wished We'd All Been Ready". When I first heard it on Spanky McFarlane's "Change" album it froze me in my tracks long before I became a Christian. Now I am grateful to have shared that moment with you. I wrote the song "Space Cowboys Forever" on the same album, but, your song was always my favorite. It was something more than beautiful!

Farewell my brother, David Batteau

May we all live such a life.

Thank you for your ministry!

There are so many words. I honestly don't know where to start or how to say what I need to say. This should be short and sweet, but Larry Norman's influence and impact on my life is so HUGE that using few words would not even begin to portray the picture. I walk with JESUS today because Larry Norman inspired me. I was raised in church, but saw nobody that I could really relate to that lived the way that JESUS taught. Selflessness was foreign to me for the most part. I heard, "I Love You" by People in 1968, and it was the most incredible piece of music I'd heard in my life up to that point. I started buying Larry Norman records with my allowance. They sometimes drove my parents a bit nuts, but I was being changed from the inside. This guy was the real deal. He lived what he sang and preached.

As I grew older, and out of my teens, I ran away from JESUS for stupid "I hate the church" reasons. Instead of pressing in, I bailed. Always, the Holy Spirit was right there, pursuing me, romancing me, drawing me back to Himself. I still had Larry's records. In fact, I was a nightclub DJ, and even played some of them during my shows. Well, you know, you can't play Larry Norman and not be affected both spiritually and emotionally. To make a long story short, I gave my life and heart back to Jesus at age 36 and have been walking with Him ever since. Larry's passion for the Truth, for Jesus, and his love and servant's heart for everyone made the most important difference in my life. I was even blessed to meet Larry Norman once. The night that Princess Diana was killed, Larry Norman was singing at TOM Fest in Stevenson, WA It was the most incredible concert I have ever seen and heard (and I've seen hundreds and hundreds). Afterward, I got to meet and talk with Larry for a bit. I was so touched and impressed by his sincerity and love. Here was this self-proclaimed flawed individual giving his full attention to a complete stranger, sharing his love, the love of Jesus, and the brightest smile that I have ever seen in my life up to the time I met my wife 2 years later. Larry was, indeed, a very precious man, a true brother, a strong Believer, and a modern day prophet of God. I'm so very thankful to the Lord for giving Larry Norman to the world to share Jesus in his refreshing and honest way.

My prayers are, and will continue to be, with Larry Norman's family and loved ones. It is a great sense of emptiness when we lose someone, especially someone who has impacted us and so many others in such a profound way. May the Holy Spirit, who is also called "Comforter", bring comfort to you in this time of both celebration and grief. We all know that, early Sunday morning, Larry finally got to hear those longed for words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Well done, indeed!

I know that you will all miss Larry very much, but take comfort. He was, after all, "Only Visiting This Planet."

my deepest love and most sincere blessings,
Michael Stone a.k.a. Stoneman

p.s.
I'll see you Saturday, Lord willing.

really sad news - i am going to be one of those that forever mourns the fact that i never saw him live in concert - -please people who have access put clips up on youtube of larry - -his message can still go out there and make a huge difference.... lets hope more prophets like him in the music industry again are raised up because we sure need em...

Dear frends. Larry blessed my life. im so sad. i realy loved this Jesus man..
he will be missed by me to..
roger