Tom Paxton "Phil" (Tribute to Phil Ochs), early 1980s TV

Tom Paxton "Phil" (tribute to his friend Phil Ochs), from VHS, early 1980s TV (source unknown).
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[LordGroundhog]

I remember Phil and Tom from those days in the Village. They were 2 bright stars in my folk-singing firmament. To my mind it's especially fitting for Tom to do this tribute. Too few people remember how great Ochs really was, and we didn't get to see the best of him.

[SirDcitykity]

sorrow is too weak a word

[Paul Lavan]

Who paid them to attack Phil? I'll give you a clue - it has something to do with the initials F...B...I. I love you, Phil, and I always will.

[Stevenramm]

Today is the anniversary I had the pleasure of seeing him at least 5 times here in Philly.

[Susan Hansen]

I believe Phil's death had as much to do with his clinical depression as with having been beaten in a robbery which affected his voice. Perhaps there are other reasons as well -- it's rarely One Thing which causes someone to take his own life. And how can Bumper 776 say Phil wasted his life? His songs taught us so much. That's not a waste of talent.

[Paul V]

wow... harsh. I think his suicide had more to do with the fact that the overwhelming willingness to remain ignorant that most americans continue to have left his music falling on mostly deaf ears... and what suppressing marxist regime are you referring to? Allende's Chile? Look at what we put in its place. suppression at its worst. And let neither of us ever claim we know a thing about why he committed suicide.

[bilbocroft1]

You don't have to be dead to have a tribute song written, just appreciation.

[Susan Lang]

I met Ochs in Berlin (of all places), and looked so glad to see an American! He invited me to where he was playing, but I of course got lost. He looked so sad and depressed, I felt bad leaving him there.Did I know who Phil Ochs was" "Of course" I said, and he smiled. That was the only smile I saw. He seemed so lost. When I head he had commited suicide, I could only collapse in agony and guilt.

It's truly fitting, yes, that Tom do this. We loved them all so :Phil, Tom, PP&M.

[paullavan2011]

Thanks for your song about my hero, Tom. God bless you.

[MiserableOldFart]

Phil Ochs was the true soul of the '60s in this country, More so than the great Dylan, or even the great Joan Baez. This country could really, truly have used Phil Ochs during the last three decades of fascism gaining ground.