For those of you who don't know Larry Norman, here is a bio from his website.
Cheers,
Ian
* * *
We are currently working on a definitive biography
of Larry Norman. Until then, here is the information that appeared in
the press the day after he passed away:
Feb.
25th, 2008, Salem, Oregon - Larry Norman, the singer, songwriter, and
producer known as the "father of Christian rock music," died of heart
failure on Sunday (Feb. 24) in his Salem, Oregon home. He was 60.
Norman
was an eccentric visionary whose songs drew controversy from both the
conservative religious establishment and the secular music press for
his lyrical mix of radical religious, political, and social themes. His
1969 solo album Upon This Rock was the first Christian rock record, and
his milestone 1972 release Only Visiting This Planet is considered one
of the best albums in the genre. His music was an influence on such
diverse artists as U2, John Mellencamp, and the Pixies.
"Larry
was my door into the music business and he was the most Christlike
person I ever met," former Pixies singer Frank Black said Monday upon
hearing of Norman's passing.
Norman was born on
April 8, 1947 in Corpus Christi, Texas. At the age of 3 he relocated to
San Francisco, California with his family and in the mid-'50s became
fascinated with the music of Elvis Presley. During this time he also
frequently accompanied his father on Christian missions to prisons and
hospitals. At the age of nine, Larry began writing and performing
original rock and roll songs at school, experimenting and incorporating
a spiritual message into his music. In 1959 he performed on Ted Mack's
syndicated television show The Original Amateur Hour on CBS. Upon
moving to San Jose, California, he began recording for Capitol Records
with his band People! in 1966 and for the next 2 years performed
concerts supporting The Doors, The Who, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix,
among others. People! scored a Billboard Chart hit in 1968 with a cover
of The Zombies’ song “I Love You.” Norman left the band the day
People!’s debut album was released.
His solo
albums recorded in the 1970s on his own independent label Solid Rock,
and the albums of other artists he discovered and produced, laid the
foundation for what would eventually become the Christian rock music
industry, a genre which largely shunned him and his music. According to
Portland news/radio station KXL, Norman's early social positions caused
a stir among many conservative Christians. His views against racism and
poverty caused him to receive multiple death threats in the 1970s. A
widespread ban on Norman's music, which is largely still in effect
today, existed in Christian stores. This ban was due not only to
Norman's social positions, but his preferred company as well. Said
Norman in a separate interview, "The churches weren’t going to accept
me looking like a street person with long hair and faded jeans. They
did not like the music I was recording. And I had no desire to preach
the gospel to the converted."
Time
Magazine once called Norman “the most significant artist in his field.”
Over 300 cover versions of his songs have been recorded by artists such
as Petula Clark, Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Black, and Cliff Richard. His
songs have also been recorded by contemporary Christian artists like DC
Talk, Rebecca St. James, and Audio Adrenaline. He performed for The
White House, twice - and in Moscow at the 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium.
He headlined venues like The Hollywood Bowl, The Sydney Opera House,
The Palladium and London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall, which he sold
out six times, once filling it twice on the same day. In the last 40
years Norman has released nearly 100 solo albums.
In
2001 Norman was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame alongside
Elvis Presley. At the time of his death he was working on an album with
Frank Black and Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse, which will be released
later this year.
In a message he wrote on Saturday, Feb 23, the day before he passed away, Norman said:
__________________________
"I
feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God's hand reaching
down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My
wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly
home. I won't be here much longer. I can't do anything about it. My
heart is too weak. I want to say goodbye to everyone. In the past you
have generously supported me with prayer and finance and we will
probably still need financial help. My plan is to be buried in a simple
pine box with some flowers inside. I'd like to push back the darkness
with my bravest effort. There will be funeral information posted on my
website, in case some of you want to attend. We are not sure of the
date when I will die. Goodbye, farewell, we will meet again.”
“Goodbye, farewell, we'll meet again
Somewhere beyond the sky.
I pray that you will stay with God
Goodbye, my friends, goodbye."