Larry Norman, the American singer/songwriter who was often known as the Father Of Christrian Rock Music, passed away on Sunday 24 February after a long illness.

He started writing rock 'n roll songs at school at the age of nine, but first came to the notice of a wider public with his band People! in 1965. He left the band in 1968 after the release of their first album and thereafter became an established solo artist.

Throughout the 70s he was an increasing influence on rock music in general, other songwriters such as Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison and John Mellancamp in particular. In all, over 300 other artists have covered Larry Norman songs.

Papa Dave Hewitt, himself a long-time fan, hosts an appreciation of the life and music of Larry Norman on ROCK 247 Online for the next month:

Larry Norman - An Appreciation
Thursdays - 10pm (23:00 CET)

Repeated:
Fridays - 11pm US Eastern - 8pm US Pacific
Mondays - 11pm US Pacific