Larry Norman Message Board

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

To Larry Norman's family - my prayers are with for comfort - Larry 's music and lyrics are still the first things that come to my mond when I try to think of something to sing. I became a christian in 1975 and the first thing my christian
schoolfriend showed my was her album ONLY vISITING   THIS PLANET - wow, i was so glad that there was music I could identify with as  a 17 year old - then he toured Australia and I went to his concert at the State theatre in Sydney Australia and it blew me away. He was singing his heart out - he was not performing for us christians - he was singing for the non-christians . I was stunned. Then later came In Another Land and  another tour. This time he was at the Hordern Pavillion and I took my non-christian boyfriend - wow, this was a rock concert - my boyfriend was impressed by the absolutel sincerity and depth of the whole experience. Now that boyfriend is my husband and now he is a christian and we both rejoice at the life of Larry Norman. I could cry for joy that we saw him - to experience his sincerity aqnd love of the saviour is something that very few christian performers or   speakers can convey.
My grown son has heard his mujsic and can't believe  how very ahead of it's time his music was - Praise  the Lord!!!!!!
I pray blessings and comfort for all his family now - Larry gave so much -
yours in christ Anna Ardia

Larry Norman was one of the first christian singers I heard after I became a christian. He was a great inspiration, and I deeply regret I was never able to see him live on stage.
My deepest condolances to his family and friends.

Romans 8,38-39

See you in heaven, Larry!

Ragnar
Oslo, Norway

Dear: Norman Family; my wife Rebecca and I will keep you in our prayers and we send our deepest sympathy at Larry's passing. Be encouraged that we as Christians will see Larry someday in heaven. "God Doesn't Give Us More Than We Can Handle." May your family truly find comfort, peace and assurance in our Loving Savior's arms.

To Charles,Kristen, Nancy,Marg and families,
Please accept our deepest sympathies ... we loved him too... our white knight has ridden into the heavens...'in Gods loving arms now'

Such sad news for us, such good news for Larry. He is 'Home at Last' with the Father. I feel for the family, and especially his children and want to thank you for backing him through all of the ordeals.

Larry has been a consistent influence in my life as long I am a Christian. (I am 32 and been a Christian for 17 years). I got the 'home at last' album of somebody when baptised at the age of 15. A relatively safe album. My parents were really happy I got some 'christian' rock music. I used to listen to blues, jazz and punk (PIL/SP etc.). When I bought my next album I was overjoyed and my parents a bit worried . I had found a Christian singer saying it as it is, the way he felt it. I could relate to the struggles Larry wrote about in his albums like 'upon this rock', 'rehearsal for reality' and 'something new under the sun.' 'I feel like dying', 'Hard luck, bad news', 'watch what your doing' and the punk version of 'why should the devil have all the good music' (thx Charles) were a few of my favourite songs in those days. They still lift my spirit when I listen to them. The idea of being able to be down and out yet save in the arms of God the Father was thus taught to me by Larry. Something they forgot to mention in our 'happy-clappy' church.

As a religion teacher at a secondary school I still tell people his jokes on rock and roll. Like the one with Im in the mood for love or the if rock and roll is bad, maybe they should practise and it will get better.

His lyrics, the rawness, the 'non-religious' attitudes and his faith despite setbacks and perils have since inspired me. It saddens me that I have not seen him 'live' since 10 years or so. I am looking forward to the great Jam in the sky.... there we will jam together to the honour of our Creator and in all 'blues like' honesty.

 

Shalom

 

Rogier Dijk

Almere, The Netherlands

rogierdijk@gmail.com

Dear Norman family,

may all the blessings that you and Larry brought to the world come back to you in many ways.

Larrys songs and words had, and still have, a deep impact on my life.

Thanks and Love

I remember the rumours of Larry's death, what, 18 years ago?  Since then, I've got married, and become a father!  I'm so glad that my kids have all met him personally, and have been to at least one of his concerts.  My fondest memories are praying with and for him just before he gave the concert in Frauenfeld, Switzerland in 2007, accompanied by my daughters and my wife; and spending time with him and the "Solid Rock Crew" in Norway 2005, Seaside Festival, accompanied by my son, and another family.  Yay - swimming in the fjords! 

You know, on that occasion, we were just setting off for the Sunday service, to be led by Larry; he saws us walking off and asked what we were doing - "we have to leave now, so we can be there in time for the service - it's a 30 minute walk".  He then offerered us a lift to the grounds.  He was always looking out for other people, even to his own detriment.  He was man who, though by no means perfect, I could look at, and see Jesus.

My deepest sympathies and prayers to Larry's family and all the Solid Rock Crew.

matt

May you find comfort in the arms of Jesus in this time of mourning. Larry was a true example of what God can do with a willing vessel.

Rest in peace my brother in Christ!

My heroes can be numbered on the fingers of one hand, but Larry is certainly on that list (although, having met him on a couple of occasions, I know he would have hated to be described as a hero!) A humble, spiritual, funny man. Truly, someone who pointed away from himself and towards our Lord Jesus Christ. A sad loss for us. For him, a homecoming for a good and faithful servant.

May God comfort all those closest to Larry who will miss him most. You're in my prayers.

David Williams, Camberley, England

Lots of Aussies in tears today at the passing of an enduring creative force.
May God comfort the Norman family at this time. I had so many of my friends discover Jesus through Larrys concerts and music. I met Larry in 1986 when he was in concert with Charles, Jon Linn and Randall Waller: it was cookin'.
Thanks to all of you for providing the web site and product sales over all these years, it has remained a consistent source of creative and spiritual nourishment to so many of us.
Thank you Larry for the songs, laughs, memories and prophetic example. Your life will continue to matter. The music will continue to bear fruit. And we will remember you. 
 Thank you Jesus for Larry!
Regards, Dean Eaton, Adelaide South Australia

Thanks so much to God for sharing Larry with us all.  It was great to have his big smile out in front to plow the waters so that so many of us can now enjoy the ride in the wake.  Larry, "I wish we'd all been ready" for you to leave, but I can't wait to catch up with you.

I've loaded my song "Post Cards To Paradise" up to my website - http://billmallia.com/the_music.htm.  Today it's dedicated to Larry and all those that loved him.

Greetings!

I got into music right as Larry was going solo.  My brother saw him at Explo '72 in Dallas and told me I had to hear his work.  I did, and was tremendously influenced by Larry.  We didn't get much Jesus music out East where I lived, so what you got was mostly via record.  Larry's entire philosophy towards music and life was tremenously influential on my own outlook.  He blazed the trail that I would eventually walk.  Eventually I saw him perform twice and actually worked with him once.

When you are working with Christian musicians, you see all types.  I've seen 'em all.  When I worked with Larry, I was tremendously relieved to find him to be exactly the man he portrayed in his art, but also a genuinely nice guy.  Larry was nice to me.  That spoke volumes - even more than his music.

So, folks, what a legacy.  May you guys take comfort in the Lord's loving, present embrace of your brother.

Bob

Dear Larry's Family,

Larry's music has meant alot to me over the years. Take heart that he with with his Savior.

Regards,

Jim

I thank God for how He used Larry's life to impact mine, and many others.  Many would say his heart was weak and sick.  Not so!  He had the strong heart of his Savior's.  He'll be missed.

"Well done, good and faithful servant!"

In sympathy and prayer over your loss.  May his legacy of music continue with his last thoughts to his family on future music/art ideas.  God bless and comfort all of you & be with you now while you go through the healing process of grief/loss.  Remember he lives still with God in heaven & is healthy, happy, whole & not in pain anymore.  He probably has already begun a music choir of angels singing in heaven of God's praises.  In sympathy...Yvonne

     Larry's music touched my life deeply as a teenager, even before I had given my life to the Lord.  I knew that, if I ever did commit to Jesus, I wanted to do it like Larry!  When I was getting ready to get married, I heard him play in concert "And We Sing The Tune" before it had been released on Stop This Flight.  I told my fiancee' (now my wife of 24 years), "I wish we could get that played at our wedding!"  When I was in seminary, and Phydeaux was being run out of Joe Norman's basement, my wife called the house and had a nice visit with Larry's mom on the phone.  Joe sent me good advice in those days - when you're listening to your professors, be sure to do what the Bereans did in Acts 17:11.  I always did!  When I met Larry at Cornerstone in 1990, I told him I was a minister now.  He asked how that was, and I told him it was lonely sometimes.  He replied, "The sheep don't always know what to make of the shepherd."  And he hugged me!  That was the last time I saw him.  But it wasn't the last time his words encouraged me, via his recordings.

     May the Holy Spirit draw close to you, his family and friends, and comfort you with His presence and peace.  May you draw strength from God's promises, which He always keeps, and the sure and certain hope of the resurrection.

Powell Sykes
Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Burlington, NC

A great loss for the world, but heaven's become more beautiful. My thoughts are with your family.
We in the band Rubin, wants to dedicate our song, Forever yours in his memory. The song can be listened to on our websites www.rubinband.com
God bless u all.