Larry Norman Message Board

I grew up in a very strict Christian home in Houston.  The only music allowed was marching band music, hymns and southern gospel.  Some time around 1978 a friend of mine came back from Southwestern A/G college with a 8-track mix tape, the first song was "Rock that Doesn't Roll".  I was immediately hooked!  I soon had "In Another Land" and "Only Visiting this Planet" hidden in my closet.  I was 15 or 16 and I would lay in my head with headphones on listening for hours, studying the album cover, thinking Larry Norman was just about the coolest guy on the planet, (I was not allowed to have hair past ears).
I looked forward to the times when my parents would leave me alone and I could crank the stereo full blast.

Up until then I had thought that Christian men came in one flavor, short hair, suit wearing and very uncool.  Larry changed that view for me, you could have long hair, jeans sing rock and roll and still love Jesus.  Larry and his music was a tremendous help during those times and again later in life when I was in the Navy and stationed overseas.  I would be on the ship in my bunk, listening to Larry on my walkman and it was a great comfort.

When I met my future wife, she was not a Christian and had never heard of Larry Norman, but my very first gift from her was "Stranded in Babylon".

I am 46 now, my wife is a Christian and so are my three daughters.  My oldest daughter is attending Southwestern A/G and she was the one who told me about Larry passing away,  because she had heard it from her professor.  I was kind of proud when she told me the professor asked who had heard of Larry Norman and she was able to raise hand and say she had grown up on his music.

My praryers go out to Larry's family and those closest to him.  He was a tremendous influence on my life and his music will live forever.  His music helped me in my Christian walk and got me through some very tough times.  I am sad that is gone but rejoice that he is with our Heavenly Father.

Blessings
Johnny Pate