| Rock and roll has virtually become the | | | | years and he's still going. Dizzy Reed, |
| dominating influence behind all of today's | | | | keyboard player for Guns N' Roses, performed |
| popular music. We hear it used in a variety | | | | on Larry's 1998 Copper Wires album. His |
| of media forms; everything from T.V. | | | | latest album was recorded from a live concert |
| commercials to Christian praise songs | | | | held in 2005.Larry Norman was initially |
| | | | banned by the church, but in 2001 he was |
| But, it wasn't too long ago, when many | | | | inducted into the gospel music Hall Of Fame. |
| Christians thought rock and roll was evil. I | | | | His music, which at first created a lot of |
| remember going to a church meeting once where | | | | controversy within main stream Christianity, |
| they showed film clips of Janis Joplin and | | | | resulted in a revival that swept across the |
| other famous rock stars of the sixties. We | | | | country. Many hippies suddenly found what |
| were warned that rock music could lead us | | | | they were looking for and became born-again |
| into sin because the beat was of the | | | | Christians. Today the church has embraced the |
| devil.Interestingly, the Jesus movement was | | | | genre of rock and roll and is using it to |
| also in full swing around this time. Many | | | | spread the gospel world-wide through the |
| hippies, in search of spiritual truth, were | | | | medium of contemporary Christian music.So, is |
| "turning-on" and "tuning-in" to Jesus. Some | | | | rock and roll evil? From what I've written |
| of these folks just happened to be musicians | | | | above, it would appear to be doing some good. |
| whose roots were in rock and roll. And they | | | | Could it be that a few well meaning folks |
| began to change things.Larry Norman is a | | | | were a little hasty in their intial |
| prime example. He has been bringing rock and | | | | assesment? The Bible says:"Therefore judge |
| roll into religious music since 1956. His | | | | nothing before the appointed time..."I |
| albums were at one time banned by the church. | | | | personally believe that a musical style, in |
| However, he is considered to be a pioneer and | | | | and of itself, is neither good or evil. |
| father of Christian rock and his music has | | | | However, music is a very powerful force which |
| influenced many rock musicians that | | | | does influence our thoughts and emotions. It |
| followed.Larry and his band opened for such | | | | can be, and often is, used to promote a |
| rock and roll groups as The Grateful Dead, | | | | specific agenda or viewpoint. How will you |
| The Doors, Janis Joplin, The Byrds and | | | | use your musical talent? My hope is |
| others. In 1966 Capitol records offered him a | | | | |
| recording contract and suddenly he found | | | | that you'll realize the potential your music |
| himself on the same label as The Beatles! | | | | has and find creative ways to make a better |
| After reviewing his 1972 album, Only Visiting | | | | environment for all of us.Kathy Unruh is the |
| This Planet, | | | | webmaster of Each month she publishes the |
| | | | ABC Learn Guitar Newsletter offering free |
| Billboard magazine called Larry Norman "the | | | | tips for guitar players, songwriters and |
| most important songwriter since Paul | | | | indie artists. |
| Simon."Larry Normans's music career spans 50 | | | | |