HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-11-11, Page 15Page 14 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Baechler remembered for musical contributions
A life -well lived. That's how one would
sum up Marty Baechler's life. Martin David
Baechler was a Goderich boy, .the son of Betty
and Con Baechler and eldest brother to Dar-
rell, Lynda, Dale and Jeff. He attended public
school in Goderich and then GDCI.
Marty became interested in music at an ear-
ly age and began his musical career as a mem-
ber of The Four Teens. After four months of
practicing, four local boys formed a band of
their own in the late 50s. They played in Sea -
forth, The Goderich Pavilion, on CKNX-TV
and various town functions. From a newspa-
per article: "The young instrumentalists have
no plans for a musical career yet, but think of
the group as a hobby, says Marty Baechler,
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unofficial "leader" of the group" That did
not prove to be true. Marty helped form the
Strato-Tones in the early 60s and became
Jimmy Finch — his stage name.
The group got their big break when they
were booked into the world famous Pepper-
mint Lounge in New York City and toured
the south-eastern US. After that they cut their
first record, "Sneakin' Around". As a result,
fans demanded personal appearances at clubs
and on TV. They appeared numerous times on
CFTO's popular teen program `After Four'.
The Strato-Tones stayed together for more
than five years. Marty went into the booking
business for about a year and a half before the
formation of the Oriental Mod Squad.
He had his goal set on Las Vegas and he
made it. In 1970, that group played Caesars
Palace. Also playing in Nero's Nook (as
the "Oriental Squad") at. the same time was
Thelma Houston, while acts such as the 5th
Dimension played the main lounge.
In August of 1970, Marty and the Oriental
Mod Squad made front page news by return-
ing to Goderich for his sister, Lynda's wed-
ding. Since they were coming to Goderich,
they were booked into the Pizza Patio (now
the Candlelight). From that Goderich Signal -
Star article: "The Pizza Patio was packed for
the group's week long stay. Parking lots over-
flowed, tables were as scarce as diamonds in
a lily pond, even elbow room at the doors was
at a premium."
As Ray Allin (Lynda's husband and Mar-
ty's brother-in-law) remembers, "The place
was packed to the rafters." From that same ar-
ticle: "We feel sure you will agree it's always
nice to hear about a hometown boy making
good."
If Marty thought he'd found success in life
by this point, he would come to find his suc-
cess had just begun. He met Karen Palmer,
also a Goderich girl, daughter of Walter Palm-
er and Eileen Palmer in 1972 and on August
2, 1975 she officially joined him in his jour-
ney through life.
Marty's musical accomplishments were
eclipsed by his phenomenal relationship with
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Photo submitted
Marty Baechler (above) will be remem-
bered for his local roots and his far-
reaching musical career.
Karen. The pair had a very successful career
with the Toronto-based accessories design
firm behind the "Karen Palmer" label, which
began under the direction of Karen in 1984.
Marty had been international vice-president
of one of North America's largest booking
agencies until he joined Karen in 1987. They
had great success, being featured numerous
times in publications such as Women's Wear
Daily in New York, Flare and Chatelaine.
You could find "Karen Palmer" accessories
in Holt Renfrew and upscale fashion bou-
tiques throughout North America.
Right until the end, Karen was by his side.
She was there as he peacefully slipped out of
this life on October 24, 2009.
A funeral Mass was be held at St.Peter's
Church November 7. The family would ap-
preciate help to establish The Marty Baechler
Memorial Scholarship at Goderich District
Collegiate Institute. Donations can be made
to the Avon Maitland District School Board,
62 Chalk St. N., Seaforth, On. NOK 1 WO
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