Philip David "Phil" Ochs (/ˈoʊks/; December 19, 1940 – April 9, 1976) was an American protest singer (or, as he preferred, a topical singer) and songwriter who was known for his sharp wit, sardonic humor, earnest humanism, political activism, insightful and alliterative lyrics, and distinctive voice. He wrote hundreds of songs in the 1960s and '70s and released eight albums.Ochs performed at many political events during the 1960s counterculture era, including anti-Vietnam War and civil rights rallies, student events, and organized labor events over the course of his career, in addition to many concert appearances at such venues as New York City's Town Hall and Carnegie Hall. Politically, Ochs described himself as a "left social democrat" who became an "early revolutionary" after the protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago led to a police riot, which had a profound effect on his state of mind.After years of prolific writing in the 1960s, Ochs's mental stability declined in the 1970s. He eventually succumbed to a number of problems including bipolar disorder and alcoholism, and took his own life in 1976.Some of Ochs's major musical influences were Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Bob Gibson, Faron Young, and Merle Haggard. His best-known songs include "I Ain't Marching Anymore", "Changes", "Crucifixion", "Draft Dodger Rag", "Love Me, I'm a Liberal", "Outside of a Small Circle of Friends", "Power and the Glory", "There but for Fortune", and "The War Is Over".
Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make the attempt. That's morality, that's religion, that's art, that's life.
2
The fortunes of the entire world may well ride on the ability of young Americans to face the responsibilities of an old America gone mad.
Older brother of rock photographer and archivist Michael Ochs (b. 1943). Also has an older sister, Sonny.
3
Learned to play the guitar after winning one in a bet with a college friend about the 1960 Presidential election.
4
Father Jacob Ochs met his mother, Gertrude Phinn Ochs, while a med student at the University of Scotland.
5
Attended Ohio State University, but dropped out mere months before graduation, in 1962.
6
Hit #118 on the Billboard's "Bubbling Under" singles chart in 1968 with "Outside of a Small Circle of Friends" (A&M 891)
7
The Harry Chapin song, "The Parade's Still Passing By", is about him.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Something in the Air
2012
writer: "Ballad of William Worthy"
American Experience
2011
TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune
2010
Documentary lyrics: "Love Me I'm a Liberal", "There But for Fortune", "Ringing of Revolution", "Cannons of Christianity", "Changes", "Tape from California", "Pleasures of the Harbor", "Outside of a Small Circle of Friends", "The Party", "The War is Over", "When in Rome", "Crucifixion", "Another Age", "I'm Going to Say It Now", "William Butler Yeats Visits Lincoln Park and Escapes Unscathed", "My Life", "Rehearsals for Retirement", "The Scorpion Departs But Never Returns", "My Kingdom for a Car",
A Previous Engagement
2008
performer: "No More Songs", "Cross My Heart" / writer: "No More Songs", "Cross My Heart"
Steal This Movie
2000
performer: "I Ain't Marchin' Anymore" / writer: "I Ain't Marchin' Anymore", "When I'm Gone"
Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer
1992
Documentary writer: "Iron Lady"
Berkeley in the Sixties
1990
Documentary performer: "I Ain't Marchin' Anymore" / writer: "I Ain't Marchin' Anymore"
Made in U.S.A.
1987
writer: "Draft Dodger Rag"
Melvin and Howard
1980
performer: "My Kingdom for a Car" / writer: "My Kingdom for a Car"
The War at Home
1979
Documentary performer: "I Ain't Marching Anymore" / writer: "I Ain't Marching Anymore"
The Big T.N.T. Show
1966
Documentary writer: "There But For Fortune"
Shindig!
1965
TV Series writer - 3 episodes
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Chords of Fame
1984
Documentary
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
East of the Highway
2010
Short inspired by
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Day the Music Died
1977
Documentary
Himself
The Midnight Special
1974
TV Series
Himself
Love It or Leave It
1971
Documentary
Himself / Troubador
Ten for Two: The John Sinclair Freedom Rally
1971
Documentary
Himself
The David Frost Show
1970
TV Series
Himself
The Revolution Is in Your Head
1970
Documentary
Last Summer Won't Happen
1968
Documentary
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Resurrection of Victor Jara
2015
Documentary
Himself
Greenwich Village: Music That Defined a Generation
2012
Documentary
Himself
American Masters
2012
TV Series documentary
Himself
Democracy Now!
2011
TV Series
Himself
Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune
2010
Documentary
Himself
The Power of Their Song: The Untold Story of Latin America's New Song Movement