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Artist
Larry Norman
12+ albums
christian rockclassic rockchristianrockAll
about
Larry David Norman (April 8, 1947 - February 24, 2008) was an American singer-songwriter and record producer who is considered a pioneer of Christian Rock. His music is primarily folk rock reminiscent of Bob Dylan and Neil Young, sometimes with strong orchestral or blues influences. He has had a strong influence on several later rock musicians and has been called one of the fathers of Jesus music and Christian Rock. In the late '60s he was a member of the rock band People!. People! released its first album I Love You in 1968 and had a Top 20 hit with the song, "I Love You" (written by Chris White of The Zombies). Norman left People! and released his first solo album, Upon This Rock, in 1969. This could be considered the first Christian rock album, and included one of Norman's most memorable songs I Wish We'd All Been Ready. He followed up with the 1972 LP Only Visiting This Planet, which included an anthem for the burgeoning Christian rock movement, Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music. What made the album particularly significant was the combination of credible rock and roll music with songwriting that critiqued both American society and the contemporary church. Norman's songwriting stunned many in the Christian music scene by its bold references to subjects ranging from the Vietnam War to venereal disease and even the U.S. space program. The album was named the most significant album in Christian music history by a mid-1980s critic's poll in CCM Magazine, though
