California-reared Larry Norman is widely referred to as the "father of Christian rock", who, in addition to attracting worldwide attention for his spiritually astute songwriting, also blazed a trail for countless acts of various religious affiliations. His first two solo albums, '69's Upon This Rock (now in the Library of Congress) and '72's Only Visiting This Planet, are considered foundational recordings of the genre and helped ensure his induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in '01.