A Topical Song Writer
Singer-songwriter Phil Ochs (1940–1976) preferred the appellation “topical singer” to “folk singer.” Ochs gained mainstream press recognition in 1963 as one of a few singer-songwriters, who New York Times critic Robert Shelton (1926–1995) noted were “reviving the broadside tradition of 17th-century Britain, and saying their piece at the same time.” Formerly a radical journalist in college, Ochs in this 1964 interview discusses his decision to use folk music to express political views.
Singer-songwriter Phil Ochs (1940–1976) preferred the appellation “topical singer” to “folk singer.” Ochs gained mainstream press recognition in 1963 as one of a few singer-songwriters, who <em>New York Times</em> critic Robert Shelton (1926–1995) noted were “reviving the broadside tradition of 17th-century Britain, and saying their piece at the same time.” Formerly a radical journalist in college, Ochs in this 1964 interview discusses his decision to use folk music to express political views.