Larry Norman Message Board

When I went to work for YFC- Denmark in 1980, I took my American Christian baggage with me. YFC Denmark leader, Peter Gotz-Nielsen quickly let me know my music and my American way of communicating would not work with European youth. I sang for the YFC staff in the YFC Denmark headquarters to give them a sampling of my talent and my songs. Peter escorted my wife and I to an 'upper room' at the headquarters to give us a crash course in European thinking, church/Christian background and a few more tidbits of truth about what would and wouldn't work in Danish schools.
We were shocked and confused. Only one of my songs in the repertoire we performed for the Danish YFC staff had survived the American idol cut! A song written by Larry Norman called- Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music. Peter loved it! And eventually so did Danish students! Our LP- Life Messages (Benson/Impact 1982) won Danish Gospel Record of the year for the same year!
I started writing new songs for our concerts and school visits- Man or Monkey, Introduction Song, Too Young To Die, Life's Fabric (Psalm 139), Pedestal(Larry is the inspiration for the text), You've Got Me Coming Back to You. I also started performing more of Larry's songs- The Outlaw, Why Don't You Look Into Jesus, I Am a Servant and a few others.
Larry was inspiring me to see this culture from its own viewpoint and perspective. Larry taught me to talk about Jesus instead of my American mannerisms which actually hindered a clear presentation of the Gospel.
The first Christian concert I ever attended was a Larry Norman concert in Ft. Wayne, Indiana at Pokagen State Park in 1971. Phil Keaggy was the pre-show artist. I met Larry after the concert and asked him to sign my Bible. He replied 'he didn't sign anything.' I saw him numerous times at sold out performances at Calvary Temple's street ministry venue called The Adam's Apple from 1971-1978.
I performed at Flevo in the Netherlands where Larry performed countless times. While I sang as a back up singer for the Norwegian singer Jan Groth, we opened for Larry at a bar venue in Lund Sweden called the Olympian. Our vocals were used to back up Larry's tunes later in the evening. Larry's song- Messiah- was the big thing during those concerts. His brother Charlie, toured with him as well.
My brother Don got to ride along with Larry and friend Randy Stonewill after a concert in Warsaw, Indiana. Probably to a local hotel. Don remembers their wonderful friendship, infectious laughter and wonderful love the two had for each other. I keep that in my heart. That was divine!
Larry inspired me to keep my relationship with Jesus. I loved his long sermonizing as much as his singing. I loved his broken classical guitar he performed with throughout the 70's. Two huge cracks in the front in back of the bridge. Larry wasn't about the latest effects pedal or the latest Taylor or Martin. I don't think he played more than 4 or 5 chords. LOL! But I was mezmerized each time I saw saw him. Thank you, Larry, for what you did and the way you did it!

Tony Huffer, Port Charlotte, Florida