Larry Norman: A Great Musician Passes

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Larry Norman, one of the early pioneers combining Christian messages with rock and roll music and author of the song "I wish we'd all been ready" went home to be with Christ on February 24, 2008 following a lengthy illness. According to his website:

Yesterday afternoon he knew he was going to go home to God very soon and he dictated the following message to you while his friend Allen Fleming typed these words into Larry's computer:
________________________________

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.

My brother Charles is right, 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. But still it will be costly because of funeral arrangement, transportation to the gravesite, entombment, coordination, legal papers etc. However money is not really what I need, I want to say I love you.

I'd like to push back the darkness with my bravest effort. There will be a funeral posted here on the 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.

Larry

When I was still in high school, my garage band played several of his tunes. I loved his music and simply want to note the passing of a person who helped advance the cause of Christ by using a new and then-controversial medium to communicate the Good News.

Larry, I will see you someday again, and I hope that I can say thank you for those you reached through your music.

Comments

Anonymous said…
This is sad news; I had the pleasure of meeting Larry after a performance back in the early `80's. He was a fine musician and kind and generous to his fans.

I'll have to dig out the vinyl and give him a listen again...
2/25/2008 09:33:00 AM
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