Editing Phil Ochs

From ProleWiki, the proletarian encyclopedia
Warning: You are not logged in, comrade. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be instead attributed to your username.

The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then publish the changes below to finish undoing the edit.

Latest revision Your text
Line 61: Line 61:
Alice intended to have the baby, and wanted to marry Phil before she did, but she did not want to pressure him into marriage and promised to keep her pregnancy secret until Phil decided on what he would do. It was eventually Phil's sister Sonny who convinced Phil to marry Alice. He announced he would marry her at his father's funeral. They married later in 1962.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|chapter=Bound for Glory|page=56-58}}</ref>
Alice intended to have the baby, and wanted to marry Phil before she did, but she did not want to pressure him into marriage and promised to keep her pregnancy secret until Phil decided on what he would do. It was eventually Phil's sister Sonny who convinced Phil to marry Alice. He announced he would marry her at his father's funeral. They married later in 1962.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|chapter=Bound for Glory|page=56-58}}</ref>


=== 1963 ===
In 1963 folk music continued to grow in popularity, with musician Bob Dylan, one of Phil Ochs' friends in Greenwich Village, becoming popular around the country. Between July 26 and 28 of that year the annual Newport Folk Festival was held, with Phil Ochs performing his songs "Too Many Martyrs" and "Talking Birmingham Jam" among others. The festival was a great success and progressed Ochs' career in music.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/46/mode/1up|chapter=Bound for Glory|page=60-63}}</ref>
In 1963 folk music continued to grow in popularity, with musician Bob Dylan, one of Phil Ochs' friends in Greenwich Village, becoming popular around the country. Between July 26 and 28 of that year the annual Newport Folk Festival was held, with Phil Ochs performing his songs "Too Many Martyrs" and "Talking Birmingham Jam" among others. The festival was a great success and progressed Ochs' career in music.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/46/mode/1up|chapter=Bound for Glory|page=60-63}}</ref>


Line 80: Line 79:
One December 5 1963 the first of several FBI reports of Phil Ochs were written.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/65/mode/1up|chapter=What's that I hear?|page=75}}</ref>
One December 5 1963 the first of several FBI reports of Phil Ochs were written.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/65/mode/1up|chapter=What's that I hear?|page=75}}</ref>


=== 1964 ===
In 1964 Ochs recieved a contract for his first record. The record, called All the News that's Fit to Sing, after the New York Times slogan All the News that's Fit to Print, was recorded in Febuary and released later that year.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|chapter=What's that I hear?|page=76}}</ref>
In 1964 Ochs recieved a contract for his first record. The record, called All the News that's Fit to Sing, after the New York Times slogan All the News that's Fit to Print, was recorded in Febuary and released later that year.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|chapter=What's that I hear?|page=76}}</ref>


Line 86: Line 84:


The 1964 Newport Folk Festival was another success, with Ochs' performance being celebrated by critics. Bob Dylan, Ochs friend and the musician quickly becoming the most prominent in folk music, was critisized widely by folk musicians and critics for his performance. Ochs defended Dylan in an article in Broadside magazine.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/84/mode/1up|chapter=What's That I Hear?|page=83-85}}</ref>
The 1964 Newport Folk Festival was another success, with Ochs' performance being celebrated by critics. Bob Dylan, Ochs friend and the musician quickly becoming the most prominent in folk music, was critisized widely by folk musicians and critics for his performance. Ochs defended Dylan in an article in Broadside magazine.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/84/mode/1up|chapter=What's That I Hear?|page=83-85}}</ref>
Ochs was involved in the Mississippi Caravan of Music as part of a campaign for voter registration by the Council of Federated Organizer, performing at benefit concerts and meeting with activists. Others involved include folk singers and activists Pete Seeger and Len Chandler among many others. In Mississippi they faced constant threat of harassment and violence from reactionaries there.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/87/mode/1up|chapter=What's that I hear?|page=85-88}}</ref>
=== 1965 ===
In 1965 Ochs' second album, I Ain't Marching Anymore. The title anti-war song became one of Ochs' most popular songs, and the album became one of his most successful.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/90/mode/1up|chapter=I Ain't Marching Anymore|page=90-91}}</ref>
Due to his long absences and economic difficulties Phil and Alice separated shortly before the release of I Ain't Marching Anymore. In an attempt to get a more stable income Ochs replaced his then manager, Albert Grossman, with Arthur Gorson, who has previously organized benefit concerts and shared Ochs' political views. Later in 1965 Alice Skinner and Meegan moved to California without Phil.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/90/mode/1up|chapter=I Ain't Marching Anymore|page=92-94}}</ref>
A cover by Joan Baez of Ochs' song "There But For Fortune" became a hit in England, reaching #13 on the charts. Other folk musicians also performed Ochs songs including Jim and Jean, the Modern Folk Quartet and the Weavers.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/90/mode/1up|chapter=I Ain't Marching Anymore|page=95}}</ref>
While auditing lectures, Ochs met Paul Krassner, the publisher for Realist magazine. Ochs had previously corresponded with Krassner while writing his song William Worthy, based on an article Krassner had written. Krassner shared Ochs' interest in politics and introduced Ochs to Jerry Rubin, another political organizer. Rubin was planning a teach-in at Berkeley and Krassner suggested that Ochs could play music there. Ochs liked the idea and even cancelled several performances he had scheduled elsewhere to be involved with the teach-in.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/96/mode/1up|chapter=I Ain't Marching Anymore|page=96-98}}</ref>
Ochs performed at the first annual New York City Folk Festival at Carnegie Hall between June 17 and June 20 in 1965. There he performed two then recent songs, I'm Going to Say It Now and Love Me I'm a Liberal, two of his most popular songs. Ochs was being increasingly critisized in mainstream media for his radical views, and this combined with his use of the word "bullshit" in this performance led to his Carnegie Hall performance being widely condemned and criticized  in mainstream circles, while the performance was celebrated by the growing counterculture movement.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/96/mode/1up|chapter=I Ain't Marching Anymore|page=99-101}}</ref>
Ochs was not invited to the 1965 Newport Folk Festival and, insulted by this, Ochs, Paul Krassner, and Arthur Gorson snuck backstage during the performance. The 1965 festival was different from past ones, with many artists now far more uptight and professional and  a larger and more strict police presence. The largest controversy however surrounded Bob Dylan's performance. He played music with amplifiers and electric guitars, leading to boos from the crowd and anger from other performers including Pete Seeger, who threatened to cut the cords to the amplifiers. Ochs defended Dylan's performance after the festival, arguing the performance showed progress in the music genre.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/96/mode/1up|chapter=I Ain't Marching Anymore|page=101-103}}</ref>
Despite Ochs' support for Dylan after Newport their relationship began to deteriorate. One night Dylan played a new song for Ochs and after Ochs said the song was "okay" became angered. Soon after Dylan ordered the driver of the car they were in to pull over and kicked Ochs out of the car while saying, "You're not a folk singer, you're a journalist."<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/106/mode/1up|chapter=I Ain't Marching Anymore|page=106}}</ref>
Throughout 1965 Ochs visited Canada several times, performing successfully several times and even having his song "Here's to the State of Mississippi" nominated for Song of the Year by the Canadian Federation of English Teachers. He also went to England, where he was well received in the press.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/108/mode/1up|chapter=I Ain't Marching Anymore|page=107-109}}</ref>
=== 1966 ===
On January 7, 1966 Ochs performed solo at Carnegie Hall for the first time. Ochs promoted the show in newspapers and placed low prices on tickets, leading to the show being sold out. Before the show, in another example of his performance anxiety, Ochs throat became constricted and his voice raspy. The performance was less successful because of this than he had hoped and because of this the live album they planned to make from that performance was not viable.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/108/mode/1up|chapter=Changes|page=112-116}}</ref>
Ochs' FBI file was brought to the attention of J. Edgar Hoover in 1966 and subsequently the FBI increased it's surveillance of him, declaring him a "security matter" on February 16.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/108/mode/1up|chapter=Changes|page=117-118}}</ref>
Ochs began planning, and writing songs for his next album, Pleasures of the Harbor, that year. He planned for the album to be different from his past albums, with more instruments, songs with more introspective themes, and more complicated melodies.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/108/mode/1up|chapter=Changes|page=118}}</ref>
He performed around the country for most of the year and played at the Newport Folk Festival again, as well as performing at many protests against the Vietnam War and other causes.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/108/mode/1up|chapter=Changes|page=119-120}}</ref>
On November 24 Ochs performed again at Carnegie Hall, this time without the difficulties of the last concert which was praised in both mainstream newspapers like the New York Times and folk reviewers like The Village Voice.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/108/mode/1up|chapter=Changes|page=121}}</ref>
Ochs' relationship, both professional and personal, with Arthur Gorson had begun to deteriorate due to a variety of factors including Ochs' request for Gorson to look into other record labels and Ochs' sloppiness. The two decided it would be best for both of them as well as for the preservation of their friendship for them to part ways professionally.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/108/mode/1up|chapter=Changes|page=121-123}}</ref>
Phil, looking for a new manager, called his brother Michael, who at the time was in California working as a professional photographer. Michael was at first reluctant, he had only just recently rented a house in Los Angeles and had not been on friendly terms with Phil for years, but he eventually agreed and moved to New York to become Phil's manager.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/108/mode/1up|chapter=Changes|page=123-125}}</ref>
Ochs, still displeased by Elektra records, attempted to look for another record label. Michael had connections with several record companies from his time in California, and he arranged a meeting with Colombia Records. After a successful meeting Ochs was promised a 25,000 dollar contract with Colombia, but later the company informed them that the company would not pay that and instead offered 10,000 to 15,000 dollars. Michael Ochs refused this and demanded the original deal and after Colombia refused ceased negotiations. Eventually after negotiations with several New York record companies failed, Michael suggested that they try to find a label in California. Eventually, Ochs' signed with A & M Records.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/108/mode/1up|chapter=Changes|page=123-130}}</ref>
=== 1967 ===
A & M suggested that Ochs travel and perform across the country to promote his next album rather than record and release it right away. Throughout Spring 1967 he did this, and his popularity grew as opposition to the Vietnam War became more commonplace around the country.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/131/mode/1up|chapter=The War is Over|page=131-132}}</ref>
In March Ochs met a journalist named Jack Newfield. Newfield, who shared many of Ochs' political views and had written about Ochs before, asked if he would be interested in going to Washington D.C. to meet Robert F. Kennedy and listen to him give a speech. Ochs was exited about the idea and agreed to go with Newfield.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/132/mode/1up|chapter=The War is Over|page=132}}</ref>
Kennedy's speech in Washington D.C. denounced the Vietnam war and called for an end to the United States' bombing campaign there. Ochs and Newfield traveled to New York on the same plane as Kennedy. Kennedy was familiar with Ochs' music and protest folk music in general, and on the plane Ochs sang his song crucifixion, which was partly about the assassination of Robert's brother John F. Kennedy.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/132/mode/1up|chapter=The War is Over|page=133-134}}</ref>
Ochs moved to Los Angeles in May. Ochs kept his apartment in New York as he expected to only be in California for a few months, while recording his next album.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/132/mode/1up|chapter=The War is Over|page=134-135}}</ref>
Soon before he moved to Los Angeles Ochs met Andy Wickham. The two became friends quickly, and soon after Ochs moved to Los Angeles he reconnected with Wickham there. Wickham, who was a conservative, was disliked by many of Ochs' friends, but Ochs and him remained close for the rest of Ochs' life.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/137/mode/1up?view=theater&q=Wickham|chapter=The War is Over|page=135-137}}</ref>
After moving to Los Angeles Ochs reconnected with Paul Krassner, who by then was a major figure in the counterculture movement. Krassner was going to go onto Joe Pyne's television show. Pyne was a staunch conservative and known for a confrontational style of interview. Krassner was prepared for this, insulting Krassner when Krassner insulted him. After a particularly strong insult Pyne ended the interview portion of the show and started the next part, where audience members were able to ask questions to the guest. People in the audience insulted and condemned Krassner, and eventually Ochs got in the line to ask questions. When it was his turn Ochs said, "What Paul Krassner does is in the finest tradition of American journalism." Pyne began to question Ochs, asking if he was a hippie, Ochs said he was not and in response Pyne asked, "Do you play for hippies mostly?" Ochs responded to this saying, "No, I play for everybody.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/138/mode/1up?view=theater&q=%22What+Paul+Krassner+does%22|chapter=The War is Over|page=137-139}}</ref>
When Ochs moved to Los Angeles a protest against the Vietnam War, the largest anti-war demonstration in Los Angeles history up until that point, was being planned. The protest was Cheviet Hills Park, where the demonstrators would spend the afternoon, before moving to picket a fundraiser Lyndon B. Johnson was attending.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/138/mode/1up?q=%22Play+for+everybody%22|chapter=The War is Over|page=139}}</ref>
Ochs had an idea for this protest. He proposed that they declare the war over, and that the protest would be a celebration of the end of the war. This idea was partly inspired by a Allen Ginsburg poem and was based on the idea that the common people paid for and died in the war, and as such they should be able to end it. The protest was representative of the political theater that became a large part of the anti-war movement in the United States.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/138/mode/1up?q=%22Play+for+everybody%22|chapter=The War is Over|page=139-140}}</ref>
Ochs began planning the protest, writing a manifesto in the Los Angeles Free Press and a song to go with the protest. The song, titled "The War is Over," satirized pro-war media and its distortion of the reality of war. Ochs also recruited cartoonist Ron Cobb to design a poster. Cobb and Ochs became close friends during this project, and their relationship would last for the rest of Ochs life.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/138/mode/1up?q=%22Play+for+everybody%22|chapter=The War is Over|page=140-142}}</ref>
The organizers of the protest faced a problem. Unknown to them, the protest was infiltrated by Sharon Stewart, an employee of International Investigation Systems. She reported exaggerated accounts of the protester's plans, leading to the hotel hosting the fundraiser to request an restraining order prohibiting the march. On June 23, the day of the protest, a hearing was scheduled. <ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/138/mode/1up?q=%22Play+for+everybody%22|chapter=The War is Over|page=142-143}}</ref>
1300 Police officers were deployed for the protest, in addition to a military helicopter. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the protesters, a judge issued the restraining order, prohibiting the protest.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/138/mode/1up?q=%22Play+for+everybody%22|chapter=The War is Over|page=143-144}}</ref>
Ochs' part of the demonstration occurred in a vacant lot near the Century Plaza Hotel. Protesters chanted "The War Is Over!" and Ochs performed his song of the same name on top of a flatbed truck. After he finished the song the police ordered the protesters to disperse. When they refused the do so, the police attacked, beating protesters with batons as people tried to escape.<ref>{{Citation|author=Michael Schumacher|year=1996|title=There But For Fortune|title-url=https://archive.org/details/therebutforfortu00schu/page/138/mode/1up?q=%22Play+for+everybody%22|chapter=The War is Over|page=144-145}}</ref>


== Chicago Democratic National Convention and Later Career ==
== Chicago Democratic National Convention and Later Career ==
ProleWiki upholds the abolition of private property, including intellectual property, so feel free to publish any work at will.
Cancel Editing help (opens in new window)