Phil Ochs

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Philip David Ochs (December 19, 1940–April 9, 1976) was a U.S. protest singer (or, as he preferred, a “topical singer”), songwriter, musician and recording artist who was known for his sharp wit, sardonic humor, earnest humanism, political activism, insightful and alliterative lyrics, and haunting voice. He wrote hundreds of songs in the 1960s and released eight LP record albums in his lifetime.

He performed at many political events, anti-Vietnam War and civil rights rallies, student events, and at organized labor events over the course of his career, in addition to many concert appearances at such venues as New York City’s The Town Hall and Carnegie Hall. Politically, Ochs described himself as a “left social democrat” who turned into an “early revolutionary” after the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which had a profound effect on his state of mind.[1] He was often seen as a radical and also a patriot — though he was also interested in differing political philosophies as well as journalism, and was an avid fan of music and movies.

After years of prolific writing in the 1960s, Ochs’ mental stability declined in the 1970s and eventually he succumbed to a number of problems including bipolar disorder, depression, and alcoholism, and he took his own life in 1976.

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folk, singer-songwriter, political, 60s, protest music
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Pleasures of the Harbor
Phil Ochs
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There but for Fortune
Phil Ochs
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I Ain't Marching Anymore
Phil Ochs
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A Toast to Those Who Are Gone
Phil Ochs
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Top Tracks

1	I Ain't Marching Anymore full track	251
2	Draft Dodger Rag full track	159
3	Pleasures Of The Harbor full track	94
4	Outside Of A Small Circle Of Friends full track	83
5	Links on the Chain full track	75
6	Song of My Returning full track	71
7	A Toast to Those Who Are Gone full track	69
8	There But for Fortune full track	68
9	Cross My Heart full track	67
10	The War Is Over full track	60
11	Love Me, I'm a Liberal	48
12	Here's to the State of Mississippi	47
12	Changes	47
14	Miranda full track	44
15	Chords Of Fame full track	42

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deviantpsyche wrote:
Friday morning

just got this Artist's ringtones at www.itsflycell.com. I Ain't Marching Anymore is my favorite! love it.

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SenriMan wrote:
Wednesday afternoon

I Ain't Marchin Anymore was the first full song I learned to play. Live on Ochs, live on.

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haloedeyes wrote:
last week

genius

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Bamlaflamme wrote:
18 days ago

If only more people heard 'When I'm Gone', they'd be converted in seconds

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retroindiano wrote:
last month

This is a singer with feeling and sense !!! So complete !!!

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selira wrote:
last month

why so few plays! phil ochs <3

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constintina wrote:
October 2009

<3 <3 <3

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DeadKinks wrote:
October 2009

I wonder how history would have been had The Byrds recorded I Ain't Marching Anymore instead of Mr. Tambourine Man.

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DeadKinks wrote:
October 2009

Dylan's great too, but Phil did so much more for what he believed, and in so much less time...

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Bamlaflamme wrote:
October 2009

Damn good question. I've tried to get word around of his existence, but nobody seems to care when Dylan is available.

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DeadKinks wrote:
October 2009

Victor Jara and Phil Ochs. Both excellent musicians. Both deeply into things they believed. They got to play together during Phil's tour in South America, obviously had great admiration for each other. Victor got shot by the dictatorship, because of things he had been fighting for. Phil organised an all-star concert for him and added lines about the events in Chile to Outside of a Small Circle of Friends, perhaps his most emblematic tune. Two years later, Phil took his own life, also because of things he had been fighting for. Now Victor Jara is the name of the stadium where he was killed, he became a national hero in Chile and somehow well-known all over the world. Why the hell isn't Phil remembered?

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Bamlaflamme wrote:
September 2009

This guy deserves so much more rep.

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AtomHeart42 wrote:
September 2009

here' s a song for those who are gone.. RIP Phil Ochs

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musrum wrote:
August 2009

"That's what I want to hear" has got to be my favourite, great tune and his voice sounds great.

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unauthenticated wrote:
May 2009

He's not really that popular among the last.fm crowd. Still awesome though.

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LarryKleist wrote:
May 2009

how does he only have 46000 listeners am i missing something?

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thevoid999 wrote:
May 2009

Cool, new pic

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pedromadi wrote:
May 2009

I'm just a student sir, and only want to learn

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cbpride wrote:
May 2009

The FBI had a 500-page file on this guy. What a life he had, and what music he made. RIP Phil Ochs.

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Kobemmo wrote:
April 2009

I voted for it, and it was changed. Hooray. Like this man

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