The world of Christian music lost a real visionary and artist recently. Larry Norman passed away in Salem, OR earlier this year. Before he died he dictated this note to friends, fans and family, as it was recorded by Allen Fleming:
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
Here’s the last video of Larry in his hospital room before his death
Perhaps his most famous song in the secular arena was “Why Should the Devil (Have all the Good Music?)”, but to those in the industry and fans understand that he inspired and was responsible for making some pretty good music himself in the name of the Lord.
You’ll be missed Larry. You’ll be truly missed.
Photo Source: Arena Rock Recording Company
