On June 17, 2026 at 3:01 pm, Glen Flint wrote:
Hey Tal,
Can you disclose Mark's location?
Is he reclining on a couch, surrounded by Slavic hotties who are fanning him and feeding him grapes? Or is he in more of a third world, basket case, health care situation, like Canada's where he's strapped to a gurney in the hallway being denied aspirin unless he signs the MAID consent form?
We're all wishing him a speedy recovery, unless he's enjoying the former possibility. In which case, no need to hurry back.
Glen
On June 17, 2026 at 3:04 pm, Stefan Bucek wrote:
Tal, I have heard you and your dad on Sirius XM talking about specific guitars that were used on classic rock songs. I have always thought that the rhythm guitars on "I Want to Hold Your Hand" sounded thin, like strings over cigar boxes. Do you have any knowledge of what they used on that recording, and why they sounded as they do? Thanks!
On June 17, 2026 at 3:09 pm, Bideford Jake wrote:
Dear Mr Bachman,
Thanks for answering my question last week but I was wondering why the big guns in the music biz haven't chosen to raise their muses above the parapet and comment upon these singular times. People like Bob Dylan, Randy Newman or even Paul Simon. These guys are too big to be cancelled, surely, and you can always claim the message of a song was written 'in character' as a get-out clause. There are still protest songs on the radio but predictably they are mostly anti-Trump and pro-immigration, nothing to counter that. Curiously, I heard ELO's gorgeous Hello My Old Friend for the first time recently. It's a love song to Birmingham, Jeff Lynne's home town, but finishes with "Goodbye my old friend..." as though he is secretly weeping as the place he grew up in becomes one of the first white-minority cities.
Sometimes I think views on immigration really do run along working class/middle class lines, blue collar and white collar. The awful everyday folk have to deal with the effects while the educated and enlightened can live seemingly above it all. Do you find yourself treading on eggshells in conversation with fellow musicians and have you any desire to write your own Slow Train Coming?
Thanks so much speaking out and helping out, Mr Bachman.
On June 17, 2026 at 3:20 pm, The Notorious Mr. J wrote:
So what's the news across the nation? I guess the big news of the week is the alleged peace settlement between Iran and America. The details that the Public have received so far are murky, but one can expect the deal to be shaky. One thing that stands out is the apparent victory for the hardliners in Iran. By all accounts the more radical factions, such as those in the Revolutionary Guard, are in the ascendant and that can't considered a positive development for the West. Trump may have made a bad situation worse. All that blood and treasure wasted, for nothing. And please note the commentaries concerning the serious depletion of American and Israeli missile stocks resulting from the conflict. Some say it may take months or even years to replenish all of it. Don't doubt that Vlad and Xi are taking notice.
On June 17, 2026 at 3:27 pm, Peter Noone wrote:
Why did it take your dad and burton cumins so long to get rid of the fake guess who?
Peter Noone
On June 17, 2026 at 3:32 pm, Tom Gelsinon wrote:
Hi Tal,
Thanks for taking on this week's Q&A duties. I've enjoyed your recent posts about the upcoming Odyssey movie, and have just a general question about the makers and financiers of films and other popular art. What is your take on the motivation of people, some with great talent, who, at massive expense and effort, produce works that no one wants to watch, and which lose vast sums of money? I don't understand how the invisible hand of the market doesn't slap these folks around and wake them up.
On June 17, 2026 at 3:36 pm, Legacy American wrote:
Hi Tal. Thank you so much for doing this.
This question might be a little out there, but maybe an escape from the current politics stuff and an area where you might have some thoughts. It may just be me, but listening to older music, especially before about 1965, the lyrics and gender of the performer usually make sense to me. Many times, not all, but many, when I listen to music from the 70's forward, I hear a man singing and think "that would just hit better with me sung by a woman" and also the other way around, a woman singing a song that sounds more like it was written by a man. Am I completely bananas? Or maybe I just belong in the 19th century with Mark. If it's not just me, is that truly a case of the music reflecting cultural changes, or is a lot of it about pressure in the industry for the product to help lead cultural change? AKA, similar to the "we need more women action heroes" thing in movies, is there pressure in music for certain agendas related to gender?
On June 17, 2026 at 3:45 pm, Ross Spence wrote:
Tal, are there policies or accomplishments of Trump that you admire or agree with?
On June 17, 2026 at 3:51 pm, George Pazin wrote:
Hi Tal!
I'm curious, what was your childhood upbringing like with respect to music? Did you take formal lessons, or work with your dad, or just fool around on various instruments? When did you start working on your own writing? I'm fascinated by the creative learning process, having largely lived the boring academic upbringing.
Thanks for stepping up as a member of Team Steyn.
On June 17, 2026 at 4:00 pm, Michael Paranzino wrote:
I hope Mark's health is improving, and he has no access to news. For as much as we all love to be right, today's double dose for Mark – UK government complicity in Pakistani rape gangs, and the foolishness of Trump's Iran war – might send him over the edge.
My question for Tal would be how he felt in the first moments after he conjured up the chorus for She's So High. Did he know at once it would be a global smash? Or was it at the first run-through with the band? When did the scope of what he had just created hit him and what did he do? Jump up and down? Go on a spending spree? Booze it up? Take the rest of the day off? Or was it obvious only later, when everyone started raving about it?
On June 17, 2026 at 4:10 pm, Steve from Manhattan wrote:
Tal, I am grateful to read the reports on Mark's continued progress as he recovers, and I am grateful that you are again standing up to take a barrage of what I expect will, in many cases, be challenging questions.
I have read a few key excerpts for Rupert Lowe's Rape Inquiry Report. It has increased a conviction that started growing for me as I first read, years ago, Mark Steyn's shocking articles on the rape gangs that are the subject of the just-issued report. As the 21st century unfolds and as Britain's elites take it deeper towards a racist, totalitarian path, I am ever more thankful to America's Founding Fathers for their issuing the Declaration of Independence. And I am ever more thankful to those who sacrificed their lives to put America on a separate path from Britain 250 years ago. As you are a dual American and Canadian citizen, I would welcome your thoughts.
On June 17, 2026 at 4:11 pm, richard borzychowski wrote:
Hi Tal. Thanks for hosting Mark's Live Around The Planet. Great listening! Just a quick question about your dad. At the recent Takin' It Back Tour in Hamilton, he was sitting during the entire concert. Is his health alright? It was so great to see your dad and Burton Cummings back together again! Super night.
On June 17, 2026 at 4:11 pm, Mike wrote:
Tal,
Glad to see the positive update on Mark.
Curious if you can explain to a fan of rock music why the genre seems to have disappeared from the Billboard charts, yet many classic rock acts continue to sell out ever-larger venues.
Perhaps the current economics of the music industry incentivize solo acts, but that still does not explain why even solo rock acts are now largely absent from the charts. Has taste in music shifted that much? My kids (ages 13,11,9) are rock fans, so I'm doing my part!
On June 17, 2026 at 4:11 pm, GoneBirding4291 wrote:
I just want to extend to Mark Steyn my heartfelt best wishes for continued healing -- and I want to thank all the folks at the Mark Steyn headquarters for all the great programs you have provided to us Steyn-fans. I've thoroughly enjoyed all your programs. Take care, everyone ... and stay safe. - Gone Birding
On June 17, 2026 at 4:11 pm, Brian Bennett wrote:
Get well soonest Mark. When you do, you'll have every right to say, "I told you so" about the Iran war. You won't enjoy saying it, so you won't say it to gloat, but you'll lament that you were right. We miss you.
On June 17, 2026 at 4:11 pm, Chris Davies wrote:
Tal,
I hope you are well.
The Rape Gang Inquiry Report published yesterday by Rupert Lowe serves to highlight once again Mark Steyn's singular ability to be right too soon.
The compilation of such a depth of harrowing and egregious testimony is a credit to Lowe and his team.
What more of a case needs to be made for the urgent prioritisation across Europe of Mass Deportations and Remigration?
Keep well.
On June 17, 2026 at 4:11 pm, Nicola Timmerman wrote:
Did you study Latin or Greek? Not sure if they still teach Latin as an option in Ontario high schools anymore.
On June 17, 2026 at 4:11 pm, OLGA from Arizona wrote:
Happy first solo flight, Mr. Bachman!
As I'm not sure baby questions are appropriate
(though, of course, I would love baby updates),
I thought a musical question in order.
Where is the intersection between yours &
Mr. Steyn's musical interests? Since you
come from the rock world, & Mr. Steyn
specializes in musical theatre, is there
a time frame or sub-genre in which
you are both equally well-versed?
Cheers,
OLGA
On June 17, 2026 at 4:12 pm, Alison Castellina wrote:
How do you see the future of films that millions of people want to/agree to/pay to watch, ten years from now?
On June 17, 2026 at 4:12 pm, Doug222 wrote:
Hi Tal. Do you know what occurred in Mark's past that put him off rock music? Was it related to the fact that one of his favorite movies was American Graffiti and it ended up being loaded with freaking liberal actors? Do you think he fell in love with his dad's music because of the HiFi music his dad pumped into room as revenge for listening to rock-n-roll with his buddies? He loves to make fun of people who enjoy 60's, 70's and 80's rock. He has caused me trauma. Not Really! I'm just wanted to create an issue for Mark to get his attention. Get back soon Mark! Thanks, Doug in OH-IO
On June 17, 2026 at 4:12 pm, OLGA from Arizona wrote:
Mike Doran says everyone is panicking unnecessarily,
because Trump is so mercurial, everything will change
five times before anything actually happens.
