Norman, Larry David

▪ 2009

      American singer-songwriter

born April 8, 1947, Corpus Christi, Texas

died Feb. 24, 2008, Salem, Ore.

was generally regarded as the father of Christian rock music, though his controversial lyrics (which covered such social themes as racism, poverty, and sexually transmitted diseases) and hippielike appearance (ragged jeans and long hair) kept his recordings from gaining a mainstream Christian following in the U.S. Norman's song “Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?” (1972) was especially derided in some Christian quarters. His Upon This Rock (1969) was hailed as the first Christian rock album, and years later another album, Only Visiting This Planet (1972), was voted the most influential Christian album by Contemporary Christian Music magazine. Norman began his musical career performing in the 1960s with the band People!, which opened for the Byrds, the Doors, and the Grateful Dead, among others. He left that group in the early 1970s and in 1975 founded his own label, Solid Rock, which produced the album We Need a Whole Lot More of Jesus, and a Lot Less Rock and Roll. Following an aircraft accident in 1978 that left him with brain damage, Norman struggled with his performances, and he bade farewell to his fans in a 2005 concert. In 2001 he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

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