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Post by Josh on Feb 28, 2008 10:26:05 GMT -8
Hey folks, I found out a bit late that Larry Norman passed away last Sunday after years of health struggles. His funeral is this Saturday in Salem. Perhaps only a few of you even know who he is or much about him, but in short he was really the father of authentic christian expressions in rock and roll. He's had a profound affect on my faith throughout the last 15 years. Despite being an enigmatic figure who often walked a dark and lonely road, somehow he maintained a hope that surpassed momentary troubles, rooted in the hope of God's incomparable glory in store for us. I'll post more about him here as a tribute, but for now, here are some words from his last open letter: 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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Post by nathaniel on Feb 28, 2008 13:00:54 GMT -8
sad.
thanks and much love to Larry Norman.
he'll be on heavy rotation in the cd player today.
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Post by Josh on Feb 29, 2008 13:47:17 GMT -8
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Post by Josh on Mar 2, 2008 8:57:10 GMT -8
The memorial service was a very moving event, full of wonderful memories and celebration. It was amazing to see all the folks that represent the impact he had throughout his life, even up to the end. What a story. If you're not familiar with his music, I would highly recommend checking out both his early stuff and his later stuff (the last 10 years). Like a lot of those old Jesus movement artists (Randy Stonehill, Terry Taylor, etc..), they just get better with age. I think pretty soon I'm going to do some lesson/ teaching in tribute of his life at ACF. Here's a pic:
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Post by Josh on Mar 23, 2008 19:59:12 GMT -8
Here's a great comprehensive article on Larry's life written shortly before he died. Someone posted it on the TNP forum and I was quite impressed: Talking About Jesus
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Post by Josh on May 29, 2008 9:04:04 GMT -8
Nice quote I found on Larry:
"To best understand Larry Norman, you should realize that the man is a dichotomy, in the grandest sense of the world. While other rock stars existed to follow the prepackaged template to a tee even if that meant punishing another seemingly innocent hotel room Norman existed on an entirely different plain. He was the church boy holding his own in the decadent world of rock music, an insubordinate jester with a rebellious streak that stretched out long before the birth of punk, and a performer whose raw energy, spiritual force, and playful wit made him the endearing rock icon he is today. In Norman you have it all. A man unfairly saddled with the hefty burden of the ''father of Christian rock,'' yet he is a singer whose defiant lyrics and actions were shunned by the church-going status quo. Norman is a saint in a world of sinners, and at the same time, to some, he is a sinner amongst the saints. While other rockers spent their lifetimes trying to emulate Norman, they just couldn't catch the man."
-J Bacca (excerpt from Larry Norman biography included in The Anthology)
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Post by Josh on May 1, 2009 19:19:13 GMT -8
ryan wrote:
Well, the first album I heard and got hooked on was In Another Land. If you like blues-rock I would highly recommend Something New Under the Son.
Those are my two favorites among his 1969-1979 albums.
I think I have an extra copy of In Another Land should we meet up at some point.
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ryan
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Post by ryan on May 4, 2009 10:01:09 GMT -8
Sounds good. I am still working through a lot of stuff that I had never given a fair listen or had ignored including Norman's Only Visiting this Planet.
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Post by Josh on May 27, 2009 18:50:40 GMT -8
Ryan,
I think you mentioned that you liked Six O'Clock News. I've played that for my students during our Vietnam unit several times.
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ryan
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Post by ryan on May 28, 2009 6:48:23 GMT -8
Since I am about to go through my Vietnam unit - I might explore the use of that song. Unfortunately, I am loaded up with music for this particular unit. I've mentioned the Talbot Brothers before: they had a country-rock band known as Mason Proffit. As Mason Proffit they had quite a number of anti-war tracks. I also like to use Barry McGuire's Eve of Destruction.
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Post by Josh on May 28, 2009 9:02:51 GMT -8
Another good one is Bill Mallonee/ Vigilantes of Love's song Vet.
I'd be curious to listen to some Mason Proffit.
BTW, where'd that name come from?
Eve Of Destruction, is of course, a classic. Mike Roe does it as an intro to "The Lust, the Flesh, etc.."
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ryan
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Post by ryan on May 28, 2009 13:39:27 GMT -8
I am not sure where the name came from. I got a chance to chat briefly with Terry Talbot about where to track down Mason Proffit albums, and he didn't sound hopeful at the time. Since then he has reformed the band (sans his brother John Michael) and several of their albums are available on itunes. I have their albums on vinyl and a collection on a disc. I'll try to share that with you sometime.
You will have to share Vet with me.
I got to meet Barry McGuire at the same time. The two of them were touring together.
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Post by Josh on May 28, 2009 13:41:06 GMT -8
Do you have the McGuire/ Talbot album? (Can't remember what it's called) I really like it.
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ryan
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Post by ryan on May 29, 2009 7:22:29 GMT -8
I've got their first album. It's titled When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth. A little tongue in cheek. Great covers of a lot of '60s tracks.
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Post by Josh on May 29, 2009 12:55:18 GMT -8
I think that's the one I have. Does it have "Help" and "Eve of Destruction" and "Let the Day Begin" by the Call?
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ryan
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Post by ryan on May 29, 2009 13:53:59 GMT -8
That's the one!
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