Excerpts from ‘IS CHRISTIAN MUSIC SICK?’ by Vic Campbell (On Being, December 1987 – January 1988, pp 62-63)

Were Larry Norman’s predictions correct? Larry Norman is the father of Christian Rock, famous for songs like ‘Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music?’.

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…. I also quizzed veteran performer Larry Norman on the reason for the troubles.

“If Christians are singing songs for other Christians within the church building and then they start having financial problems, I think they must have to realise that they’re not making art,” said Larry.

“This is not art that the general public can look upon and say ‘Oh, this guy sings about God, but it’s kind interesting’.

“Van Morrison sings about God, U2 sings about Jesus – and it’s art. I don’t think U2’s having [financial ] problems.

So maybe if Christian music would be more artful, more tasteful, more iontelligent and deep, people could appreciate it strictly on the musical level, even if they didn’t want to go further philosophically.”

Norman also feels that Christian music moguls are going to make changes but that their decisions will be based mainly on the profit motive. They will, he suggests, look at what sells the most and probably move towards aggressive marketing of softer, worship material. ….