A message on the Solid Rock website from Charles Norman, Larry’s brother:
Our friend and my wonderful brother Larry passed away at 2:45 Sunday morning. Kristin and I were with him, holding his hands and sitting in bed with him when his heart finally slowed to a stop. We spent this past week laughing, singing, and praying with him, and all the while he had us taking notes on new song ideas and instructions on how to continue his ministry and art.
I’ve mentioned Larry Norman several times here in the past, including a couple of years back when he stopped touring. For those feeling nostalgic and wanting to hear a great interview with Father Larry himself, Drew Marshall interviewed him in September 2006; a great 2-hour interview that captures the man in all his essential Larry-ness. Now he’s humming The Tune with a heavenly choir.
Larry Norman, Part One:
Larry’s final message:
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
Brother Maynard, a great tribute to a guy that impacted so many of us. He’ll be missed…he was so real, nothing fake…said it the way it was. And he could Rock!!! The saints are dancing tonight. And thanks for the liks to the Drew Marshall interviews…I shall enjoy. Peace…Ron+
Sounds like a fine tribute to a special man.
Bro M – when I was a young Christ-follower, I saw Larry in concert a few times…it was back in the early 70’s. I loved his music and passion…it was the type of thing that caught my imagination as a young person and encouraged me to pursue the “art” that God had laid on my heart. People can think whatever they want about this brother…yeah, his theology was questionable at times (at least in my humble opinion)…but he ran the race well…broken yet redeemed…wounded yet loving…filled with fault but propelled by grace! I praise God that I had a chance to see him and be ministered to by his musical gift.
Robin
Larry has always been one of my favorites. Thanks for remembering him in this way.
I just recently heard about Larry for the first time after his death.I found his website containing his comments on a bible study and was blown away with his uncommon honesty and straight forward way.That in itself was so refreshing because that is what is needed to help deliver from our bondages and sin.Much thanks to Larry and praise to God.
i loved Larry and his work. i attended the funeral and thought it was lame. The service was blasé. The presenters shared very little real tribute.
i liked the mailman’s words, the song his sisters sang, and Frank Black’s video appearance (not because he’s a star, but because of what and how he said what he did). The minister couldn’t remember the words to one of Larry’s most famous songs. (i wish he’d been ready.) There was no real forum for attendees to share their own Larry stories, and the food might as well have been plastic.
The alter call at the end of the service was an absolutely epitome of the hollowness of the event. Anyone who’s heard Larry’s music has already heard a much more solid presentation of the Gospel. Needless to say, no one “quietly raised their hand.”
Moses
mosha13@juno.com