Feb. 25th, 2008, Salem, Oregon - Larry Norman, the singer, songwriter, and producer known as the \"father of Christian rock music,\" died of heart failure on Sunday (Feb. 24) in his Salem, Oregon home. He was 60.
Norman was an eccentric visionary whose songs drew controversy from both the conservative religious establishment and the secular music press for his lyrical mix of radical religious, political, and social themes. His 1969 solo album Upon This Rock was the first Christian rock record, and his milestone 1972 release Only Visiting This Planet is considered one of the best albums in the genre. His music was an influence on such diverse artists as U2, John Mellencamp, and the Pixies.
\"Larry was my door into the music business and he was the most Christlike person I ever met,\" former Pixies singer Frank Black said Monday upon hearing of Norman's passing.
Time Magazine once called Norman \"the most significant artist in his field.\" Over 300 cover versions of his songs have been recorded by artists such as Petula Clark, Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Black, and Cliff Richard. His songs have also been recorded by contemporary Christian artists like DC Talk, Rebecca St. James, and Audio Adrenaline. He performed for The White House, twice - and in Moscow at the 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium. He headlined venues like The Hollywood Bowl, The Sydney Opera House, The Palladium and London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall, which he sold out six times, once filling it twice on the same day. In the last 40 years Norman has released nearly 100 solo albums.
