Farewell, Old Friend

Anyone who knows me, knows that Larry Norman has had a huge influence on me, especially as a teenager. The "Street Level" album was the first of Larry's recordings that I was able to find (back in the day when Christian rock was still being attacked as a satan-inspired compromise with the world), and the opening poem "First Day In Church" totally resonated with my own feelings about the intersection (or lack of) between the culture my friends and I were living in, and the culture of the church of that time.

Larry's example, aside from musical brilliance, was probably best characterized as "No Compromise" (much like Keith Green, whose album and biography of the same name are also classics), and his articulate viewpoints, as much a part of his concerts as music, were always challenging and encouraging -- Larry called it "brain music", in answer to some critics saying "stop talking, we just want to hear music".

Anyway, Stephen Shields recently posted a link to a CT article on what may be Larry's last North American performance. "Farewell, Larry Norman" is a good reminder of honouring those who have carried the torch before us. One of the things I remember very favourably was the number of times I'd see Larry after a concert, outside talking with people for hours afterwards. When most Christian "artists" were signing autographs and getting their pictures taken, Larry was talking, sharing, and praying with people. I remember Larry and Randy Stonehill spreading out newspapers on the wet steps of Convocation Hall at UofToronto, so that they could sit and talk after the rain had dampened everything.

I also remember seeing Larry at a huge festival in Kitchener; he performed a couple of times on the main stage, once in a coffeeshop (where you could ask him questions and interact with him during the two hour set), but even more so, I saw him working his butt off for hours -- as the sound tech for a bunch of young bands that nobody had even heard of.

Just... serving. Talking with young band members, encouraging them, praying with them, leading them in Bible studies backstage.

Many people are aware of Larry's recorded legacy, and those who have seen him perform live have had a rare treat, but it was this humble, servant-like man of God that I saw taking time to actually minister off-stage, that impressed me the most.

Well done, Larry. Thank you for your input into my life.