If you don't know who this is, try locating copies of "I Wish We'd All Been Ready", "The Great American Novel", "The Rock That Doesn't Roll", "Why Don't You Look Into Jesus", or "If The Bombs Fall".
Or check out "Messiah"...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdynIgBCYGs
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.
Norman was born on April 8, 1947 in Corpus Christi, Texas. At the age of 3 he relocated to San Francisco, California with his family and in the mid-'50s became fascinated with the music of Elvis Presley. During this time he also frequently accompanied his father on Christian missions to prisons and hospitals. At the age of nine, Larry began writing and performing original rock and roll songs at school, experimenting and incorporating a spiritual message into his music. In 1959 he performed on Ted Mack's syndicated television show "The Original Amateur Hour" on CBS. Upon moving to San Jose, California, he began recording for Capitol Records with his band People. in 1966 and for the next 2 years performed concerts supporting The Doors, The Who, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix, among others. People! scored a Billboard Chart hit in 1968 with a cover of The Zombies’ song “I Love You.â€