Norman Greenbaum may be forever linked to the unforgettable guitar riff and gospel-tinged chorus of “Spirit in the Sky,” but there’s so much more to his story than one legendary song.
Born in Massachusetts, Norman grew up in a Jewish household. Even though religion wasn’t a big part of his life, music definitely was.
He studied briefly at university, but the pull of music was too strong. Like many young artists chasing creative dreams in the '60s, Norman packed up and moved west to LA — the epicenter of folk revival, psychedelic rock, and counterculture energy.
Before launching a solo career, Norman played with a psychedelic folk group called Dr. West’s Medicine Show and Junk Band. Their minor hit, The Eggplant That Ate Chicago, gave him a taste of the music business and a foot in the door, but it wasn’t exactly where he saw his future. He wanted to explore songwriting with a bit more edge, a bit more soul.
In 69, Norman wrote the song that would catapult him into music history — “Spirit in the Sky.”
A gritty, fuzzed-out electric guitar line, handclaps, and gospel harmonies sung by the Stovall Sisters gave the track its signature sound. The lyrics, which talk about meeting Jesus and being ready to die, struck an odd chord coming from a secular Jewish guy. But it worked. In fact, it worked better than anyone expected.
Norman wrote the song in about 15 minutes and it hit like lightning.
“Spirit in the Sky” soared to #3 - topped charts around the world, and sold over two million copies. It became an instant classic.
Norman followed it up with an album of the same name which included tracks like “Canned Ham” and “Milk Cow.”
As the '70s unfolded, Norman continued to record and release music but the commercial magic of “Spirit in the Sky” proved tough to recreate.
He eventually left the pressures of the music industry and settled into a quieter life. In the 70s, he moved to Petaluma, California, where he ran a dairy farm, produced goat cheese, and lived off the royalties from his big hit.
Through the '80s, '90s, and early 2000s, “Spirit in the Sky” found new life in movies, TV shows, and commercials.
While he wasn’t releasing new albums regularly, Norman stayed connected to fans. In the 2000s, he began performing again on a limited basis. He never lost his dry wit or his humility.
In 2015, Norman made headlines again — this time due to a tragic car accident. He was a passenger in a car that collided with a motorcycle in Santa Rosa, California. The motorcyclist died in the crash, and Norman was critically injured, spending weeks in the hospital. The accident deeply affected him, not only physically but emotionally. He’s spoken about the lasting impact it had on him, especially considering the spiritual nature of his most famous song.
After a long recovery, Norman slowly returned to public appearances, embracing a quieter life but still keeping the door open to music.
He continues to live in Santa Rosa, where he maintains an official website, spiritinthesky.com, which features music, photos, and ways for fans to reach out.
Norman has received renewed attention as younger generations discover the song through streaming platforms and soundtracks. The song’s fusion of rock, gospel, and spiritual themes has helped it transcend its era, sounding just as powerful today as it did in 1969.
“Spirit in the Sky” is more than just a classic rock anthem — it’s become a cultural touchstone.
And Norman Greenbaum, the man behind it, remains one of rock’s most fascinating figures: a thoughtful, funny, unassuming songwriter who struck gold by following his instincts and trusting in the power of a good hook.
In this episode we meet and chat with Norman Greenbaum and pick that incredile brain of his.
I hope you enjoy it!
