Phil Ochs – about to explode!!

Just NINE days to go! Place your advance order now!

Phil Ochs was the ‘The Prince of Protest’ in the sixties. The only real rival to Bob Dylan, he was the archetypal Greenwich Village topical songwriter. Whether protesting the Vietnam War or campaigning for civil rights, workers’ rights and social justice, Phil was always there. Phil was the man to take up causes, write songs, play at rallies and even risk his life. His clear voice and sense of melody, linked with his incisive lyrics, created songs of beauty and power. As his career progressed, with lyrics and music becoming more highly poetic and sophisticated, he still never lost sight of his cause. Towards the end of the sixties he joined with the YIPPIES in protest against the Vietnam War. But idealism became Phil’s downfall. He was an idealist who could see no point in continuing if he was unable to make the world a better place. Phil lost all hope and descended into depression, which, along with excessive alcohol consumption, led to his suicide in 1976. Shortly before he took his life, Phil asked his brother if he thought anyone would listen to his songs in the future. Well here we are; sixty years later, still listening. The songs of Phil Ochs are every bit as relevant as they ever were and they are making the world a better place!

Phil Ochs – Remember Me – an extract from the new book.

I have just finished my book on Phil Och’s music and life. Such a brilliant songwriter and more pertinent than ever.

The racists and fascists of populists like Trump are marching, lying and seeking power. These are the people that Phil sang about. Remember him and please don’t let him down.

Phil Ochs – Remember Me – YouTube

Remember Me (Phil Ochs)

The warning is loud and clear and even more compelling today than it was fifty plus years ago. Those fascists are certainly marching, the racists are out in our streets and seeking power.

   Phil takes the voice of a dead war veteran, killed on the battlefield. He asked that we remember him, that we fight the fascists, racists and warmongers so that he did not die in vain. The tune is pleasant on the ear and the message stark. ‘When the Fascists started marching many millions had to pay; We saw them rise to power but we looked the other way. It happened once before and it can happen once again–
Will you show me that I didn’t die in vain. Remember me, when the crosses are a burnin’, Remember me, when the racists come around. Remember me, when the tides of peace are turnin’, Remember me and please don’t let me down.’

   I can just picture Phil singing this right now. So simple yet so effective!

The book will be off to the publisher in a short while but it won’t be out until next year. But I thought you might like a little sneak preview.