Marjoe is a former child evangelist who, in 1972, appeared in the candid documentary, Marjoe. The Oscar-winning film featured a look behind the scenes of the religious revival industry, with Marjoe as an amoral tour guide who discussed how he didn’t believe what he was preaching and who had basically been forced into the business by his parents. Marjoe described how every word he preached was calculated to inspire people to donate more money to his ministry. Marjoe described himself as being “bad but not evil.”
Marjoe Gortner would go on to have a long career as an actor in films, usually playing sinister characters. His most-seen film was probably Earthquake. My favorite Marjoe film is Starcrash.
In 1972, Marjoe recorded an album called, after his famous documentary quote, Bad But Not Evil. Today’s song of the day is Marjoe Gortner covering Bob Dylan’s Lo and Behold on that album.
Happy birthday, Marjoe Gortner!
I pulled out for San Anton’ I never felt so good My woman said she’d meet me there And of course, I knew she would
The coachman, he hit me for my hook And he asked me my name I give it to him right away Then I hung my head in shame
Lo and behold! Lo and behold! Looking for my lo and behold Get me outta here, my dear man
I come into Pittsburgh At 6:30 flat I found myself a vacant seat And I put down my hat
“What’s the matter, Molly, dear? What’s the matter with your mound?” “What’s it to ya, Moby Dick? This is chicken town!”
Lo and behold! Lo and behold! Looking for my lo and behold Get me outta here, my dear man
I bought myself a herd of moose One she could call her own Well, she came out the very next day To see where they had flown
I’m going down to Tennessee Get me a truck or something Gonna save my money and rip it up
Lo and behold! Lo and behold! Looking for my lo and behold Get me outta here, my dear man
Now, I come in on a Ferris wheel And boys, I sure was slick I come in like a ton of bricks Laid a few tricks on them
Going back to Pittsburgh Count up to 30 Round that horn and ride that herd Gonna thread up
Lo and behold! Lo and behold! Looking for my lo and behold Get me outta here, my dear man
Through the Shattered Lens 