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Larry Norman -> Larry Norman -> Modern Church History recollection of Larry Norman
Post Info TOPIC: Modern Church History recollection of Larry Norman
Elliot

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Modern Church History recollection of Larry Norman
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Ive been following Larry Normans career for forty years. The expressed sentiments upon Larrys death have been encouraging, inspiring, and most heartfelt.

 

Gods Word, the Holy Bible, and Christian history record unlimited characters for us to know. I think of David, Moses, Abraham, Peter, Paul, etc. History relates the good and the bad, although, each was a changed life for Christ.

 

Im concern for modern Church history and the recollection of Larry Norman.

 

A number of years ago there was a memory project called First Love, being reflected by various Christian musicians of the Jesus Movement era and the early days of the Christian Rock. These individuals were Larrys contemporaries, who he had loved, embraced and supported throughout the years. Interestingly, there was no mention of Larry Norman in the documentary and to his contribution of the past which they were recalling - seemingly turning their backs on Larry. Randy Stonehill expressed being lead to the Lord in his youth, without any mention nor identifying Larry Norman by name. (I guess a conscience decision was made for this project to exclude any and all reference to their friend, Larry?)

 

I see a parallel to the life of Larry Norman and our Savior Jesus. The early mainstream religious world despised Jesus, and they said crucify Him. Larry Normans life desire was to be a sincere follower of Christ. However, Larry experienced rejection as well.

 

Fast forward to March 2008. My mainstream denominational church recently welcomed a new Pastor. Hes fifty-five years old, and was passionately saved in the late 60s. After my greetings with him, I asked if he might have a Larry Norman story. Unfortunately, he didnt know of Larry Norman. The blank expression on his face indicated so. He said he did hear of the song I wish wed all been ready and it was popular, but didnt know who wrote it. He is a godly man with a dynamic ministry, attended numerous Bible Schools and apparently studied church history. Although, he has traveled in different Christian circles, he has lived throughout this past century without any knowledge of Larry Norman.

 

I think of names like Billy Graham, D.L. Moody, missionary David Livingstone, etc; all who have made a great impact on the world for Christ. These many individuals have had  much influence on the generations and the history books record their contributions to society and of their accomplishments to sharing Gods love to a lost and dying world.

 

I pray a special blessing upon the Norman family, his friends, and all the supporters of Larry Norman, who so lovingly embraced him. They say, an artist sometimes becomes greatly well known - after their death. Perhaps, Larry Normans best work is yet to come. We, who are followers of Christ, and co-followers with Larry, need to do our best to continue being a witness for God and to proclaiming the Gospel, to carrying on the torch and letting His light shine. An old hymn says, Only one life soon will pass only whats done for Christ will last. May we all be those band of unschooled ruffians and fisherman Larry song about? Yes, the time is short and Christ is returning. May Larry's inspiration on our lives cause us to be bold and strong in these last days.

 

Well, perhaps our modern Church history will be re-recorded, for the wonderful contributions Larry Norman has made on behalf of our Lord and Savior. May we each enjoy the treasures we are storing up in Heaven.


Elliot 

 



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cRaShDoG

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Elliot wrote:

A number of years ago there was a memory project called First Love, being reflected by various Christian musicians of the Jesus Movement era and the early days of the Christian Rock. These individuals were Larrys contemporaries, who he had loved, embraced and supported throughout the years. Interestingly, there was no mention of Larry Norman in the documentary and to his contribution of the past which they were recalling - seemingly turning their backs on Larry. Randy Stonehill expressed being lead to the Lord in his youth, without any mention nor identifying Larry Norman by name. (I guess a conscience decision was made for this project to exclude any and all reference to their friend, Larry?)


They've recently released First Love as a box set of 2 DVD's and 2 CD's. I bought this directly from the Keith Green website www.lastdaysministries.com a few months ago but you can also get it at www.explorationfilms.com

Rewatching it, I too found it disturbing how they avoided talking about Larry Norman. It would be one thing if they just didn't bring up anything about him, but to mention him and only refer to him as "this one guy" or "this musician" seems odd. Why is Larry so 'taboo' in these circles now?!




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Terry Roland

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It is so strange.  Larry was never embraced by the modern church though.  Now that many of the people from the First Love DVD are the modern church, it only makes sense they wouldn't embrace him either.  There's no good reason for this.  He was always true to his faith.  But, he's never been mainstream. Many of the artists, such as Randy Stonehill, have become pretty much mainstream in the Christian music world, at least. 

But these artists will fade into obscurity and mediocrity, while Larry will eventually find his rightful place not only in church history, but also in secular history as one of the small number of innovators in the rock music scene.

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Tim

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Amen - Let's hope Larry's legacy lives on! To God be the glory!

Tim

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Darlene

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Elliot,

Thanks for reminding us to focus on the greater eternal matters. Larry never seemed interested to being a star. He just wanted to be doing what God placed on his heart and being available in sharing his music and life.  Actually, I think Larry handle the negative hurdles he faced from all directions quite nicely. However, it was sad to see the rejection he experienced. He was a true servant and this I feel was his best quality. I always admired his attitude and humor on these issues. God did use him to touch so many lives.

Darlene

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cRaShDoG

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Darlene wrote:

Larry never seemed interested to being a star. He just wanted to be doing what God placed on his heart and being available in sharing his music and life. 



In his song "Somewhere Out There" from the album "Home At Last" he confirms this by saying: 'I've never wanted to be no star, And I'm afraid that God is still the only reason that I pick up my guitar.'




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teatime

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I, too, have often found it frustrating how little credit Larry is given for the change that he brought to Christian music.  I can't help but think that if Larry hadn't blazed the trail that he did, we wouldn't be singing those nice choruses that we do in services now....we'd still be singing all the old hymns.  (not that there is anything wrong with them...."just give me a song that moves my feet"!)  Even one of my own sons, who is the worship leader at his youth group, didn't see the connection until I pointed it out to him....somehow I think I have failed when it comes to properly educating him!!

Sometimes when I ponder the influence that Larry brought to the church, I think of Vincent Van Gogh.  While not a Christian himself, Van Gogh's paintings were ground breaking in his use of color, the amount of color he used, and the way he interrupted the world around him.  Van Gogh's work was scorned by other artists during his lifetime.  Yet, after his death, they became worth millions...and the influence of his work allowed other artist to explore new ways of expression.  Larry's work is much the same.  Larry went where angels were afraid to go...with a boldness that often put off and offended the more "sensitive" in the church.  I believe that the extent of Larry's contributions is only now beginning to come to light.  We will feel the reverberations of "the Rock that doesn't Roll" for many, many years to come.  And like Van Gogh, the church will no longer see Larry as an out-of-control rebel who refused to "submit" to anyone's authority, but as a "father" in the church who showed us more of Jesus than most of the mediocure leaders of the 20th century.  Like Chesterson, C.S. Lewis, Francis Shaffer, Watchman Nee, Tozier, Leonard Ravenhill, and others, Larry Norman will be seen in the "halls of fathers of the faith".

in Him
teatime

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Tom

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Do you all remember the secular song and video from about 20 years ago called "We Are The World" ?  Well, the Christian artiists got together and did the same thing except with a Christian song and Larry was in the video.  I just can't remember the song but I would sure like to have that video!

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Terry Roland

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If I'm not mistaken, the song you're referring to is We Were All So Young.  I like the title, We Were Also Young works as well.  It may be that.   I'm title disabled.  Larry is there, along with Barry McGuire, Anne Herring and a few others.  If there's any other similar project, let us know.  It ends with Barry McGuire infectious laugh...the way he laughed at the end of Cosmic Cowboy.

Hey!  I'm having lunch with Barry today.  He's doing a house concert in Claremont this weekend and will be rehearsing with one of the former members of The Byrds.  Barry's become a dear friend.  He's the same off as he is on...like Larry.  Check his site.    www.barrymcguire.com
I'll ask him his take on Larry's exclusion.  Ironic that the filmmaker who made the film on Lonnie Frisbee.  But, Larry was not as controversial or as polarizing as dear Lonnie. 



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Anonymous

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I know what you're saying ... however, even when he was at the height of his career -- people really didn't know about him then either.  I remember the early 70's -- everyone knew the songs "Sweet sweet song of salvation", "I wish we'd all been ready" but many didn't know who LN was.  Throughout history there have been people who have been essentially "ignored' in their tremendous contributions to a field or art form.  And often its not until they die that their contributions really come to light.  I do find it interesting though that STonehill didn't mention him.  Although I read an article on ChristianityToday.com that stated:  "Although Norman left a large footprint, he also became estranged from the music industry because of strained relationships. He was diagnosed with bipolar trauma and clashed with fellow singers in the Daniel Amos band and Randy Stonehill, who said they were mistreated financially and personally, according to the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music.  Stonehill declined to take questions from Christianity Today about his relationship with Norman, but in a statement, he said he knew Norman better than anyone else and that the singer introduced Stonehill to Christianity."  And "Stonehill said that he and Norman experienced friction and distance for 20 years before standing on stage together for the last time in 2001."
This same article said that a David Di Sabatino is working on a documentary about Norman that will be released later this year.  I'm going to keep an eye out for that.  I'm curious.
The link to the article is http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2008/februaryweb-only/109-22.0.html

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cRaShDoG

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Terry Roland wrote:

If I'm not mistaken, the song you're referring to is We Were All So Young. 


it's on Randy Stonehill's album 'Edge of the World', but despite the way it sounds, i don't think the artists got together to record it. In Randy's message about Larry's passing he said "He graciously agreed to sing with me on my song, "We Were All So Young", for the "Edge of The World" project in 2003. We accomplished that performance process long distance through computer technology. Then he was silent again."

Hey Terry, were you gonna e-mail me about Larry's bluebook? jscollins1999@yahoo.com i'd also like you to scan and post that graveyard pic from 'home at last' if you don't mind. thanks.




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William Up In Canada

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No.  I believe the song you are referring to is, "Do Something Now."  It came out around the same time as "We Are the World" and done under the name of "The CAUSE" (Christian Artists United to Save the Earth/Ethiopia).  It was pretty lame.  Randy Stonehill's "Who Will Save The Children?" from the Celebrate This Heartbeat album is a much better song (although it probably doesn't lend itself to a hundred different people singing a line each).

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cRaShDoG

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William Up In Canada wrote:

No.  I believe the song you are referring to is, "Do Something Now."  It came out around the same time as "We Are the World" and done under the name of "The CAUSE" (Christian Artists United to Save the Earth/Ethiopia).  It was pretty lame.


he must be talking about that one because there was never a video for 'we were all so young', it didn't have a 'we are the world' type purpose, and it was only made about 5 years ago.

hey william, i'm still waiting for you to e-mail me back jscollins1999@yahoo.com




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Sam & Judy

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We've often been concern about the lack of exposure Larry has received over the years too. Sadly, rarely was his music ever heard on radio and only a few stores carried his recordings. It was a blessing Larry had the enterprising ability to start his own record business. It's dissapointing how few people we meet in life who have any knowledge of Larry Norman. I agree will Elliot, that blank look on people faces is so unfortunate. What a great talent with a great heart. We hope that his recordings will continue to be made available as much as possible for the next generations to discover. I pray that Larry goes down in history as one of the good ones so many loved. We found and were drawn closer to God because of the message of Larry Norman. Our favorite song, "Elvis left the building, but God is in the house". Brilliant! Sam & Judy



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mike c

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very eloquently put........

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Amy S.

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I saw the First Love program years ago. I remember thinking how it seemed so odd that Larry was completly forgotten. It's apparent that history is already being rewritten inaccurately by those who have lived it. How sad. These artists would have done history much better by extending love to Larry, perhaps to arranging a worldwide tribute benefit concert in Larry's honor. What a missed opportunity.

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