“Child of God” Plays Second Fiddle to Leon

Maijoe Gortner has been popping up in all sorts of strange places lately, not the least of which are a few surprise appearances at selected Leon Russell concerts. He originally turned up as a somewhat off-the-wall guest on the late night tv talk show circuit, following in the tradition of Monte Rock III and Brother Theodore. From there came a full-length film documentary currently making the rounds to enthusiastic reviews, acting offers from every side, and, of course, the Russell shows.

What’s Marjoe’s hustle? From the time he was ordained in his father’s church — at age three — his stock in trade has been old-fashioned fire and brimstone. A traveling revivalist preacher (whose name is a combination of Mary and Joseph), he was billed as “the Child of God” and legions of salvation-starved people gave willing testimony (not to mention goodly quantities of money) in every town he passed through.