Christian Music Legend Leaves Evangelistic Legacy
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 02/29/2008 at 9:13 AM
Larry Norman died this week. I remember seeing him on a video with DC Talk singing his classic ballad "Wish We'd All Been Ready." In "Larry Norman: Coffee Shop Evangelist," Susan Perlman tells how a chance encounter with Norman in the early 70s led to her salvation. She approached the rocker to talk about the sticker he was wearing: "Smile. God Loves You." And she ended up hearing about Christ over a cup of coffee. At the end of the conversation, Norman invited Perlman to attend one of his concerts.
I accompanied Larry to the concert. His music and its message rocked my heart. He didn't have any of the corny sentimentality I'd associated with Christians. Actually, he was kind of rough around the edges, in a good way. Larry didn't offer pat answers to the hard questions of life; he was real and that resonated with this Jewish girl's desire to know if the rabbis got it wrong and if Jesus really is our Messiah.
Larry was elated when I later came to believe in Jesus. He rejoiced in seeing me serve the Lord these past 37 years through a ministry I helped found, Jews for Jesus. You could say that anyone I've been able to influence for Christ can thank those who influenced me — and that certainly includes Larry Norman.
The 60-year-old Christian music legend died Sunday of heart failure. He is said to have paved the way for artists like Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. But according to the obituary posted on CT, it was Norman's heart for Jesus -- not his music alone -- that made him a star.
Norman, a blonde, long-haired rocker who is often called the father of Christian rock music, was a giant in the Christian music industry, said Chris Willman, senior music writer for Entertainment Weekly.
"His influence outweighed his sales so much that it's comical," Willman said. "He certainly had a heart for evangelism — almost to his detriment, I might say. He really could've been a star if he were singing about something other than Jesus."
Perlman's story shows the depth of Norman's commitment to evangelism -- not only from stage but on a very personal level. Before there was Starbucks, Norman was witnessing over a cup of coffee. Pretty pioneering stuff. I hope that legacy will go forward more than the highs and lows of a groundbreaking music career. Perlman writes: "Thank you, Larry, for bringing your sweet song of salvation to so many."
1. Reid said the following at 12:01 PM on Feb 29:
When I was a kid, I remember hearing dad play "Only Visiting This Planet" (along with "More Power to Ya" by Petra and "Songs for the Shepherd" by Keith Green, and other records). It was only later that I caught on to what many of the lyrics were, what they meant, and how they were seen as controversial. I just knew the music was fun to hear.
Sure beat listening to the "Psalty the Singing Songbook" cassette tapes.
2. Todd said the following at 12:07 PM on Feb 29:
Though I never got the chance to see him perform live, many of my favorite groups have been inspired by his work. I know some people who'd never step inside a traditional church but came to faith in part from hearing his songs.
"One Way: The Songs of Larry Norman," a CCM tribute album released in '95, is highly recommended.
3. obewan said the following at 1:31 PM on Feb 29:
He really did have a heart for ministry. He was not out for money that is for sure. He even had his own record label to avoid getting caught up in the trappings of the industry.
He would play the smallest of venues. I saw him once at a tiny Vineyard Christian Fellowship when he gave a full free concert for only 30 people or so. This was years after he became a superstar. He took the time to meet most of us in person. (I had a chance to meet Randy Stonehill the same way at the same church, but that is another story.)
My only regret is that my old vintage cassettes have mechanical problems. If I can't get them re-inserted into new cases, they are scrap. Now the only way to find his music is to search the Internet for re-issue stuff-if it can be found. There is one History of Christian Rock CD that has a couple of tracks only, but I don't know how I can replace his blues collection.
He will be missed by many.
4. Denise Morris said the following at 2:22 PM on Feb 29:
My mom, aunt and grandparents loved Larry Norman. I grew up listening to his songs, and I've seen him in concert as well.
I know his music was a blessing to my family and that he inspired and paved the way for so much of the Christian music we have today.
He will be missed, but as he always said, he was only "visiting this planet."
5. Lisa A said the following at 3:19 PM on Feb 29:
I'm sure my sister hasn't heard this news yet...if so, she would've already called me...bawling. I'll probably have to be the bearer of bad tidings.
Larry Norman was extremely influential in her life and the life of my brother, and I listened in as a young kid. A few years ago, I bought a big part of Larry's collection online. One of my favorite songs is "Why Don't You Look Into Jesus?" which apparently he wrote while hanging out backstage at a music festival with Janis Joplin.
It's true that his impact on Christian music is huge, but his impact on individual lives is no doubt immeasurable.
6. Suzanne said the following at 4:12 PM on Feb 29:
Reid. You have a problem with Psalty? ;)
7. Hayley said the following at 7:19 PM on Feb 29:
My parents were Larry Norman fans, so I grew-up listening to him. Just the week before I heard he died, my sisters and I were in the car singing along to his songs, trying to remember all the lyrics to "Reader's Digest" and "The Great American Novel". The only time I saw him in concert was when I was a baby, too bad I can't remember it :-(
8. Jill said the following at 9:35 PM on Feb 29:
I also miss Larry. My parents brought my sisters and me to see him perform at a college in Fargo, ND back in the early 1970's. I remember seeing him load his guitar in the back of a car and leave alone. He and his son later went out to Perkins with members of my family in Iowa after one of his concerts. When my parents had their 50th wedding anniversary, I wrote him a letter reminding him of them (from the Iowa Perkins) and he sent them congratulations. Surely an unpretentious brother in Christ who we will see again one day. It will be our common Savior, however, Who we will all want to worship.
9. Andy said the following at 8:27 PM on Mar 1:
It is hard to think of Larry as gone. I met him once at a press conference for Back Home Again and enjoyed speaking with him and his wife. He has been a part of my musical growth since the '70's and listening to Stonehill's "We Were All so Young" brings a tear to the eye. Larry showed us what God can do through an individual who stays sold out to the Savior, how God can use a unorthodox mixture of talents to force us to examine grace in a different light.
In one of his liners Larry talked about looking out over the city with all of the pretty lights and then looking up to the heavens with all its greater lights. He would stand there...smiling
He's truly back home again.
10. Leah said the following at 4:58 PM on Mar 3:
I think Larry Norman did great things for the Christian music industry, and it really wouldn't be the same without him.
After all, why should the devil get all the good music?