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"It's a strange sorrow that leaves you feeling hollow, like someone knocked the wind out of you," he said. "The light of hope, however, that lifts my spirit is the knowledge that Larry's profound contribution to the work of God's Kingdom is eternal and that his struggle with his own demons is over."

David Di Sabatino, who is working on a documentary on Norman that will be released later this year, said that the 1980s were a real turning point for Norman.

"He implodes on a personal level, his marriage unravels, his peers want him to be more accountable, and he throws a fit. From that point on, something degenerates inside of him," Di Sabatino said. "He's like King David. The highs are higher than most and the lows are like, 'whoa.'"

Di Sabatino said Norman was unpredictable and often exaggerated stories.

"There's a possibility that he's living in Thailand and this is all a ruse. That might offend a lot of people, but that's how he was," Di Sabatino said. "I don't believe that, but then again, if you told me that's where he was, I wouldn't bat an eye."

Even though Norman has been out of the music industry for a while, Di Sabatino believes his music may see a rise in interest.

"He stands at ground zero and carved out this place for people like Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith," Di Sabatino said. "His death now will introduce other people to his music again."

Copyright © 2008 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Christian Music Today reported on Norman's last concert in 2005 in "Farewell, Larry Norman."

Larry Norman's brother, Charles, posted a message on his website.

YouTube posts videos of some of Larry Norman's classic performances.

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February (Web-only) 2008, Vol. 52