Inspired by the leftist folk recordings of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs created folk songs that had an underlying quiet anger about them. He described himself as a “singing journalist” and where other folk singers may have sung of introspection and love, Ochs rarely strayed from songs preaching change. An underrated musician, Ochs later proved he was able to craft music as well as lyrics. Like many in the Rock and Roll world, Ochs succumbed to drug abuse and suffered from being bi-polar. He committed suicide in 1976. At present, should another top 60’s Folk singer get in, it would likely be Joan Baez thus rendering Phil Ochs’ chances for induction to be slim at best. Likely if Ochs were alive today, he wouldn’t care.
The Bullet Points:
Eligible Since:
1989
Country of Origin:
U.S.A. (El Paso, TX)
Why He Will Get In:
He has a place in history and is still influential today.
Why He Won’t Get In:
He is likely lower on the totem pole for induction than other Folk singers
Nominated In:
Never
Essential Albums:
All the News That’s Fit to Print (1964)
I Ain’t Marching Anymore (1965)
Phil Ochs In Concert (1966)
Pleasures of the Harbor (1967)
Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee:
Power and the Glory (From All the News That’s Fit to Print, 1964)
Draft Dodger Rag (From I Ain’t Marching Anymore, 1965)
The Highwayman (From I Ain’t Marching Anymore, 1965)
Outside of a Small Group of Friends (From Pleasures of the Harbor, 1967)
The Crucifixion (From Pleasures of the Harbor, 1967)
www.philochs.pitas.com (Tribute Site)
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