LARRY NORMAN
4/8/47 - 2/24/08

I wanted to take this moment to honor the memory of Larry Norman, one of Contemporary Christian Music's true pioneers.  When I began singing in public at 13, Larry's song "I Wish We'd All Been Ready"  was among my favorite picks. His input in my early years was invaluable, through his records and live concerts. It was an immense encouragement when as a young artist at 18 I was invited to tour with Larry, and he helped out with my first international release in 1986 for Day Spring WORD, for which he wrote several lyrics. The title cut's English lyric "In the World" was one of them, a translation from my original Norwegian lyrics "I Verden", on which he lent his voice in a duet. I will never forget Larry, his wife Sarah and new son Mike taking me to my first baseball game, where we saw the LA Dodgers and the Yankies play, introducing me to American sports, with corndogs, sodas and the whole deal. I thank God for Larry's life, his music and the passion with which he lived life, despite sickness and hardship. Today he is face to face with Jesus- with a healed and whole body, and I would be surprised if we will not find him singing and writing some new great songs- on that other "planet"- when our time also comes to cross over.

Below are some of Larry's last words, and a personal statement from his brother Charles.

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Hello everybody.

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.

Several of his friends got to come and visit with him in the last couple of weeks and were a great source of help and friendship to Larry. Ray Sievers, Derek Robertson, Mike Makinster, Tim and Christine Gilman, Matt and Becky Simmons, Kerry Hopkins, Allen Fleming and a few more. Thank you guys. Larry appreciated your visits very much. And he greatly appreciated the thoughts, wishes, support and prayers that came from all of you Solid Rock friends on a daily basis. Thank you for being part of his small circle of friends over the years. 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:
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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
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Thank you to all of you who were so nice to my brother over the years. Kristin and I will post funeral information in the next day or two. Right now we're not able to function very well, but the whole family is here... our mother Margaret, our sisters Nancy and Kristy, Mike Norman and his new wife Tiffany, and Silver.

We miss him beyond words. Thank you for everything.

www.larrynorman.com