Global InformationPhil Ochs information
Phil Ochs | |
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 Ochs outside the offices of the National Student Association, 1975 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Philip David Ochs |
| Born | December 19, 1940 El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Origin | New York City, U.S. |
| Died | April 9, 1976 (aged 35) Far Rockaway, New York City, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1962–1976 |
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Philip David Ochs (/ˈoʊks/; December 19, 1940 – April 9, 1976) was an American songwriter and protest singer (or, as he preferred, a topical singer). Ochs was known for his sharp wit, sardonic humor, political activism, often alliterative lyrics, and distinctive voice. He wrote hundreds of songs from the 1960s to early 1970s 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"[1] 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 had a number of mental health problems, including depression, bipolar disorder and alcoholism, and died by suicide in 1976.
Ochs's influences included 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", "When I'm Gone", "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", "The War Is Over", and "No More Songs".
- ^ Jones, Dylan (October 30, 2012). The Biographical Dictionary of Popular Music: From Adele to Ziggy, the Real A to Z of Rock and Pop. Macmillan. ISBN 9781250031884.