Christian Rock - RodneyOlsen.net

I’ve just read the sad news that Larry Norman has passed away at the age of 60.

I’ve been listening to his music for over 30 years. I had the privilege of seeing him in concert twice when he visited Perth. The first time when I was about 15, the second back in 1988 when the photo above of me with Larry was taken.

Larry was known as the Father of Christian Rock and he paved the way for many musicians who came after him who wanted to use contemporary music to tell others about Jesus.

He had been in declining health for many years and yesterday the time came for him to head home.

The following statement was issued from his brother Charles.

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

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
________________________________________

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.

Peace to you all in Christ,

Charles Norman

Larry gave me many, many hours of enjoyment. His songs have not only provided enjoyment, they’ve caused me to think, they’ve given me hope and inspired me.

The world won’t be the same without Larry Norman but I’m sure there’s a great concert just getting underway in heaven.

I’m shedding a tear or two tonight because he’s gone but I’m so pleased that he can now enjoy paradise without all the pain he’s experienced over several years.

Thanks for all the good times, Larry, and goodbye.

Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Thanks Larry … Goodbye? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

I had the most marvellous time yesterday.

It was wonderful to have Randy Stonehill drop in for an hour on-air during my radio programme on 98.5 Sonshine FM yesterday morning.

We chatted and played some of his music from just after 11:00 a.m. until midday. It was one of the highlights of my time working in radio.

He’s an incredibly nice guy and has a really weird sense of humour, so he fitted in just fine on my programme.
I really enjoyed getting the background on some of his music and his career which is now in its 36th year.

His concert last night at the Lakeside Recreation Centre was just incredible.
I had the pleasure of introducing Randy as he came onto the stage and so I did a quick poll to see how many people were seeing him perform for the first time. It seems that most of the audience were first timers which put a big smile on my face because I just knew that they were about to experience one of the most amazing performances of their lives. I was so very pleased to be able to take Pauline, Emily and James to their first Randy Stonehill concert.

The night began with a handful of songs by the very talented Kaylee Abbott, and in answer to the very many questions I was asked by audience members later, no she hasn’t released a CD yet.

Randy was just as funny as I remembered him from previous shows. He had people in tears from laughter. His vocals are still crystal clear and what he can do with just one guitar is sensational.

He can have people doubling up laughing and then minutes later the audience will be completely silent, hanging onto every word of a ballad. He’s a master songwriter and has released so many albums that he can’t even remember the lyrics from some of his songs.

I only hope it’s not another 16 years before he comes back to Perth.

Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading What a day? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

Tag - Christian Rock