Upon This Rock (Larry Norman album) explained

Upon This Rock
Type:studio
Artist:Larry Norman
Cover:UponThis_Rock.jpg
Released:1969
Length:43:01
Label:Capitol
Producer:Hal Yoergler
Next Title:Street Level
Next Year:1970

Upon This Rock is the debut solo album by Christian rock musician Larry Norman, released in 1969. Produced by Hal Yoergler, Upon This Rock was called the first full-blown Christian rock album.

Background

In 1969, Norman was signed by Mike Curb at Capitol Records.[1] In response to his claim that young people no longer were interested in singing songs about God to which they could not relate, Norman released his first solo rock album, Upon This Rock, in December 1969. Called the "Sergeant Pepper of Christianity", the album is a blend of folk, psychedelic, and rock.[2]

Release and reception

After releasing Upon This Rock, Capitol Records had no idea how to market it since its content was outside of the standards of the Gospel music genre. Although Norman's concerts were sold out, the album was not selling, so Capitol Records subleased the album to a smaller label. In February 1970, telling Norman there was no audience for his music, Capitol dropped Norman from its label.[3] [4]

Norman negotiated a deal with Benson Records and Upon This Rock received increased sales due to its distribution in Christian bookstores.[5]

Tracks

Original LP release

Upon This Rock (Capitol 1969)Produced by Hal Yoergler

Side 1

  1. "Prelude"
  2. "You Can't Take Away the Lord"
  3. "I Don't Believe in Miracles"
  4. "Moses in the Wilderness"
  5. "Walking Backwards Down the Stairs"
  6. "Ha Ha World"

Side 2

  1. "Sweet Sweet Song of Salvation"
  2. "Forget Your Hexagram"
  3. "The Last Supper"
  4. "I Wish We'd All Been Ready"
  5. "Nothing Really Changes"
  6. "Postlude"

Extra tracks on some CD releases

  1. "You Can't Take Away the Lord" (demo)
  2. "Sweet Sweet Song of Salvation" (live)
  3. "Nothing Really Changes" (demo)

Personnel

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Balmer, Randall Herbert . Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and Expanded . 2004 . Waco, TX : Baylor University Press . Internet Archive . 978-1932792041 . 2nd . Waco, Texas . 494-495 . May 19, 2024.
  2. Book: Thompson, John J. . Raised by Wolves: The Story of Christian Rock & Roll . November 1, 2000 . ECW Press . 978-1550224214 . Toronto, Ontario, Canada . 48-52.
  3. Web site: Dixon . Clinton . October 27, 2022 . Iconic Contemporary Christian Albums: Larry Norman’s Only Visiting This Planet . May 19, 2024 . City News . en-US.
  4. Web site: Norman . Larry . October 11, 2006 . Page 2 of Larry Norman: The Growth Of The Christian Music Industry - Larry Norman . May 19, 2024 . Cross Rhythms.
  5. Web site: Toderash . Scott . March 16, 2019 . Larry Norman – Upon This Rock – 1969 – Real 80s CCM . May 19, 2024 . Larry Norman – Upon This Rock – 1969 . en-US.

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