LONDON - 29 February 2008 - 250 words
Tribute
to Larry Norman - pioneer of Christian Rock
Steve Goddard
Indisputably the grandfather of what was termed 'Jesus Rock', Larry Norman died on Sunday after a long struggle with illness.
Larry, 61, had an incredible effect on UK Christian youth culture. Many American 'summer of love' hippies became Christians in the late 60s. Along came this blond-haired Californian with the whining, tuneful voice and wrote songs for them. It wasn't long before he toured the UK under the skilled patronage of Musical Gospel Outreach and was an instant hit - filling the Albert Hall on many occasions.
If you were in a church youth group back then, could strum the guitar and were keen to be cool, Larry gave you the words. Classics like 'I Wish We'd All Been Ready', 'He's the Rock that Doesn't Roll' and 'Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?' were anthems you were glad hadn't made it into Christian chorus books.
Part preacher, part poet, Larry gave prophetic voice to an intelligent Christian youth culture desperate for art of contemporary quality. His skill was to mix religious, political and social statement with laconic irony reminiscent of Woody Allen.
'Gonorrhea on Valentine's Day
'And you're still lookin' for the perfect lay'
At a time when 'acceptable' religious music was twee, safe and predictable, Larry had a threatening charisma. His live events rambled but mesmerised. Learning from Dylan, he didn't hug but often cajoled the audience that loved him.
Larry's personal life was a bit of mess. My first interview with him in 1981 involved heavy questions about a failed marriage. By that time he seemed to have disappeared into the recesses of a myth of his own making - and never really recovered.
But while other artists have sprung up and threatened to 'do a Larry', none have galvanised a generation like he did. As he once famously sang: 'I'm only visiting this planet' He may be gone but his footprints are all over it.
Steve Goddard
co-editor
www.shipoffools.com
© Independent Catholic News 2008
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