Phil Ochs
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Philip David Ochs was an American songwriter, protest singer, and political activist. Ochs's songwriting frequently addressed political issues, often with humor. He wrote about 200 songs in the 1960s
Ochs outside the offices of the National Student Association, 1975
Folk singer Bob Gibson was a major influence on Ochs' writing.
Phil Ochs rewrite of his song "Here's to the State of Mississippi" into "Here's to the State of Richard Nixon". Typed at the apartment of Chip Berlet in 1974 prior to Ochs's performance of the song at Impeachment Ball. Copy sent to his brother Michael Ochs for registration. Original at Chicago History Museum.
Phil Ochs performing at Stables in East Lansing, Michigan, May 1973
Dave Van Ronk
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David Kenneth Ritz Van Ronk was an American folk singer. An important figure in the American folk music revival and New York City's Greenwich Village scene in the 1960s, he was nicknamed the "Mayor of
Phil Ochs
…for a number of musicians in the summer of 1961, including the Smothers Brothers. Ochs met folk singer Bob Gibson that summer as well, and according to Dave Van Ronk, Gibson became "the seminal influence" on Ochs' writing. Ochs continued at Ohio State into his senior year, but was bitterly disappointed at not being…
Van Ronk in 1968