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In August, a disturbance was felt in the Bloggernacle when Tal Bachman announced that he was leaving the Church. Bachman is a pop musician who had a hit a few years ago with “She’s So High” (more important to me he is the son of - as far as I know - still member Randy Bachman of the Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive). Tal’s reason for leaving had to do with the accuracy of official Church history. For much more thoughtful discussion and background check out the following: Mo’ Boy Blog, The Baron of Deseret, A Motley Vision, Orson’s Telescope, and Our Thoughts.
I bring this up because a new story today Young Bachman Mormon no more makes it look to me that young Bachman’s publicist has decided to milk this personal interest story to promote his latest release.
Tal Bachman has left the Mormons! Kind of makes the usual screwed-by-the-record-company story pale by comparison, doesn’t it? Bachman plays this afternoon at 3 at the Nest on the NAIT campus - a solo “story and song” gig to promote his new CD, Staring Down the Sun.
Maybe he’ll talk about religion. Maybe not. He did in a recent phone interview. Bachman says he’d devoted his entire life to Mormonism (he’s 34 years old and has seven children, if that’s proof enough) - but not any more.
I don’t begrudge him leaving the Church for his personal beliefs. That must have been a very hard and personal decision. But because I would think it was a hard and personal decision I don’t understand why it is the main angle on stories where he is publicizing his latest effort. One of the stories in August (can’t find it right now) had him saying that he was relieved that since he was no longer bound by Mormon principles, he could dance now! Who cares about Church history when you need to get the facts about the present straight.
As I write this I realize I shouldn’t judge, but I put this out for anyone to set me straight if this is something more than just a publicity vehicle.
5 comments
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14 October 2004 at 11:18 am
Kim Siever
“still member Randy Bachman of the Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive”
BTO no longer exists. Wether The Guess Who still exists is debatable since they reunited for a tour a few years ago.
14 October 2004 at 4:16 pm
William Morris
Thanks for keeping tabs on this story, David. My thoughts are posted here.
14 October 2004 at 4:27 pm
David H. Sundwall
Kim,
You’re right. I meant that, as far as I know, his father is still a member of the Church not the Guess Who or BTO.
15 October 2004 at 12:58 am
James
I wonder: do Jews root for Jews in the same way? For instance, do they all talk about Michael Eisner being Jewish whenever someone brings up Disney? Or do they go see Jurassic Park specially because they heard the director was Jewish?
15 October 2004 at 10:52 am
danithew
James, that question surprised me. Jewish people are way into their celebrities and their great people. And you can find it just about anywhere/everywhere if you look for it. Have you heard Adam Sandler’s Hannukah songs parts I and II?
Do a google search for “Jewish comedians”. You’ll be amazed at how many great commedians were Jewish. Mel Brooks. Henny Youngman. George Burns. Woody Alen. Lenny Bruce. Billy Crystal. Jerry Seinfeld. Sarah Silverman. Rodney Dangerfield (original name: Jacob Cohen). All three stooges. Jack Benny. Jerry Lewis. Bob Hope. Gary Shandling. That’s not even near to a comprehensive list. And boy do some of them have a mouth on them (profanity, delving into forbidden topics, etc.)
Fashion designers. Lots of them are/were Jewish. Levi wasn’t just a priest you know. Calvin Klein. I’m not into fashion so I can’t come up with a list but if you look you’ll find it.
Jewish scientists and Nobel prizes … many of the great minds who figured out how to make the bomb were Jewish. At least one of them (ironically) was a refugee from Germany. You might have heard of him …
There’s a few great Jewish baseball players.
Anyway, Jewish people are very proud of their celebrities and there are a lot of them.