Phil Ochs was a 1960s and early-1970s protest folk singer, as popular as anyone of his era. John Kiriakou retells a story told to him by Pete Seeger: Ochs was mugged on a concert tour in Africa and had his throat cut, and though he recovered he could no longer hit high notes, falling into a deep depression.[1] One night, as Seeger was packing up at a Greenwich Village folk club to catch the last train to Beacon, a waitress told him Ochs was on the phone; Seeger said to tell him he would call tomorrow, and left. Ochs died by suicide that night.[2] Seeger’s words to Kiriakou, unlike anything he had heard him say: “That selfish bastard. I’ll never forgive him for what he did. He had no idea how many people he’s hurt.”[3]
Phil Ochs
1960s–70s protest folk singer; John Kiriakou retells a story from Pete Seeger about the night Ochs — who had fallen into depression after being unable to sing following a mugging in Africa — called Seeger just before taking his own life.
References
- ↑ The Jason Jones Show, 2026-06-15 — 2:37:45 on YouTube · Transcript
- ↑ The Jason Jones Show, 2026-06-15 — 2:38:16 on YouTube · Transcript
- ↑ The Jason Jones Show, 2026-06-15 — 2:38:46 on YouTube · Transcript
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