Trump's already committed treason,so perhaps he was listening to Phil Ochs.When Ochs hanged himself,I was a slender 22-year-old with a huge Afro and boyish good looks,the latter of which I retain. It's a shame how,while the great Bob Dylan is often heard on radio,the perhaps greater Phil Ohs is shunned.Had no idea he was a (true) conservative,but Phil knew the reactionary sort would eventually ruin America. RIP,Phil,your fans will never forget you ?(If Phil had lived through 1976,he might have enjoyed "Bird Summer" when the late Mark Fidrych's pitching,personality and eccentricities captured baseball.)
The Bird,who died in a farm accident Apr.13,2009 at age 54 (He was a month younger than my late sister Wendy,whom I lost at age 45 to pancreatic cancer Mar.19,2000),was one of a kind.July 9,1976 (ironically,exactly three months after Phil Ochs' suicide),my high school buddy Fred Rivait and I saw Fidrych lose a 1-0 duel to the Royals' Dennis Leonard;it was a three days' belated 23rd birthday treat from Fred. On our way back to Fred's car,we saw people lined up outside Tiger Stadium screaming "We want the Bird,we want the Bird," the only time I remember people doing that after a loss. RIP, "Bird," nobody who was around to experience your 1976 season will forget the sheer joy you exhibited and gave fans EVERYWHERE !!!!!!
I wasn't real familiar with his work, but being a music lover and a bit of a rebel, I will look into his portfolio. Carrying the musical protest torch these days are folks like Jesse Welles, Crys Matthews, Carsie Blanton and many others.....they are a lifeline to societal sanity. And so are you, Jack....thanks for what you do.
Phil Ochs along with Dylan and Pete Seeger defined our identity in the 60s. I guess "the war" defined the identity of folks who felt a direct threat because of....wait for it..THE DRAFT. Perhaps as you mentioned we need to bring it back as a catalyst for engagement to bring many back to the reality of the threat from the "orange blob" that seems to get crazier by the day. with dementia and narcissistic personality disorder as a somewhat dangerous combination.
Thanks for remembering, Jack....
Jack, this was a heart wrenching, heartwarming, heartfelt tribute to a thoughtful chronicler and brilliant poet-musician still relevant today.
Marsha, you indeed made my day. Thank you!
Eiver listen to Harry Chapin's tribute song to Phil called the parade still passing by?
Oh yes. But I prefer Tom Paxton's. And Billy Bragg's.
Resistance singer here. Phil Ochs is our hero. Jesse Welles has been a new wonder of late, writing great songs for our times.
Trump's already committed treason,so perhaps he was listening to Phil Ochs.When Ochs hanged himself,I was a slender 22-year-old with a huge Afro and boyish good looks,the latter of which I retain. It's a shame how,while the great Bob Dylan is often heard on radio,the perhaps greater Phil Ohs is shunned.Had no idea he was a (true) conservative,but Phil knew the reactionary sort would eventually ruin America. RIP,Phil,your fans will never forget you ?(If Phil had lived through 1976,he might have enjoyed "Bird Summer" when the late Mark Fidrych's pitching,personality and eccentricities captured baseball.)
Beautiful
Alas, he was way too far gone mentally then. I was 24. I remember and once briefly met the bird.
The Bird,who died in a farm accident Apr.13,2009 at age 54 (He was a month younger than my late sister Wendy,whom I lost at age 45 to pancreatic cancer Mar.19,2000),was one of a kind.July 9,1976 (ironically,exactly three months after Phil Ochs' suicide),my high school buddy Fred Rivait and I saw Fidrych lose a 1-0 duel to the Royals' Dennis Leonard;it was a three days' belated 23rd birthday treat from Fred. On our way back to Fred's car,we saw people lined up outside Tiger Stadium screaming "We want the Bird,we want the Bird," the only time I remember people doing that after a loss. RIP, "Bird," nobody who was around to experience your 1976 season will forget the sheer joy you exhibited and gave fans EVERYWHERE !!!!!!
I wasn't real familiar with his work, but being a music lover and a bit of a rebel, I will look into his portfolio. Carrying the musical protest torch these days are folks like Jesse Welles, Crys Matthews, Carsie Blanton and many others.....they are a lifeline to societal sanity. And so are you, Jack....thanks for what you do.
Thank you for that!
Thank you for taking us back and telling us more about Phil Ochs, or better yet, bringing him and his lyrics and messages forward to now.
Phil Ochs along with Dylan and Pete Seeger defined our identity in the 60s. I guess "the war" defined the identity of folks who felt a direct threat because of....wait for it..THE DRAFT. Perhaps as you mentioned we need to bring it back as a catalyst for engagement to bring many back to the reality of the threat from the "orange blob" that seems to get crazier by the day. with dementia and narcissistic personality disorder as a somewhat dangerous combination.