Phil Ochs

Philip David Ochs (/ˈoʊks/; December 19, 1940 – April 9, 1976) was an American songwriter, protest singer (or, as he preferred, "topical singer"), and political activist. Ochs's songwriting frequently addressed political issues, often with humor. He wrote about 200 songs in the 1960s and 1970s and released eight albums.

Ochs performed at many political events, including the 1968 Democratic National Convention, mass demonstrations sponsored by the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam, civil rights rallies, student events, and organized labor events. Ochs initially described himself as a democratic socialist but grew more radical after the police riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

After years of prolific writing in the 1960s, Ochs' mental stability declined in the 1970s as he struggled with bipolar disorder and alcoholism. He died by suicide on April 9, 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", and "The War Is Over".

Philip David Ochs was born on December 19, 1940, in El Paso, Texas, to Jacob "Jack" Ochs (August 11, 1909 – April 30, 1963), a physician who was born in New York to Polish-Jewish parents, and Gertrude Ochs (née Phin; February 26, 1912 – March 9, 1994), who was born in Scotland to Jewish parents. His parents met and married in Edinburgh where Jack was attending medical school, and afterwards moved to the United States. Phil grew up with an older sister, Sonia (known as Sonny, born April 12, 1937), and a younger brother, Michael (February 27, 1943 – July 23, 2025).

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.