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There but for Fortune: The Life of Phil Ochs

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I have been a devoted fan of Phil Ochs since the mid-1960's. I never knew or totally understood the depth of his committment to the forces of life or how this committment drove him into the depths of mental illness. Mr. Schumacher filled in the missing data about Phil that made him much more real to me. After finishing the book, I wept as I listened to his music and mourned for the loss of his courage and vision. Phil's music taught me to be a more sensitive human being, helping shape my political consciousness even to this day. I thank Mr. Schumacher for the effort he made to make Phil more real. My only criticism of the book lies in my disagreement with him as to the quality of some of Phil's more risky efforts at his art, i.e. productions of songs like "Crucifixion". Otherwise, this book is definitely a must read for anyone who wants to learn about the heart and mind of a social movement.

Sadly, this excellent biography of one of the sixties generation's great topical songwriters is out of print. Michael Schumacher writes a moving account of Ochs, who was haunted by his own personal demons and political enemies, such as the FBI, a federal agency sworn to protect us. Ochs' songs, including "Crucifixtion" - among the greatest songs of the Vietnam War era - are the heart and soul of a tremendous creative talent. Ochs' descent into mental illness is sad, yet Schumacher's account of it leaves us with meaning and encouragement to follow Ochs' social and political conscience.

A well-documented biography of one of the greatest topical song writers and singers ever. Easy-to-read account of Phil Ochs life. Includes background information on the circle of people that lived, travelled and performed with Phil Ochs. Also provides a look at the troubled era when Phil was at his peak. Chronicles the hipocrasy and ineptness with which certain parts of our own government tracked and harrassed people with contrary views.

A very good begining to an understanding of one of the 60's great folk singers and the tragedy of his untimely end. We are left with as many questions as are answered. Why wasn't Phil content to stay a political folk singer like Tom Paxton did? What was his problem with women? Why was he so great at expressing his intellectual side but not his personal side? Perhaps there just aren't any answers to these and other questions. Perhaps the book's biggest shortcoming is not dealing with specific songs but perhaps the best way to do that is to listen to them. Lastly, I'm not sure the book really conveys the eternal meaning of Phil's musical genius and why for many he remains the quintessential folk singer/activist. For those wanting more info the No More Songs discussion group is available via the internet.

This book was a revelation: it was as though the author was with Phil Ochs every minute of his life, and especially during the time when Ochs changed his identity, and lost his mind. The writing is clear; the book is edited down to eliminate useless details. It's as much as anyone needs to know about Ochs, and will keep the interest even of those people who have never heard Ochs' music. One of the best bios I've read. After finishing this book, I began reading Schumacher's bio of Allen Ginsberg, which is much more detailed, and just as good

Having been devoted to Phil's work since 1969, this is satisfying reading.

Michael Schumacher's "There but for Fortune" biography on Phil Ochs is an insightful analysis of the evolution of the flawed but hugely talented man and his fast moving life and redresses the balence on Marc Eliot's cheaply sensationalist version which draws unwarranted attention on 6 months of the manic disfunctional John Train, Phil's destructive alter ego. That being said, the account of Phil's family background reveals a family background to which Phil was always vulnerable but I feel that Phil's prolific activity in a short space of time shows how a manic temperement can work to best effect. If Phil hadn't also cared about the people and causes he supported, this connection couldn't have been made.

The book shows how Phil became the Phil Ochs we know and love through a chance pairing with Jim Glover as roommates at Ohio university and how 'John Wayne fused with Che Guevera' in Phil's worldview to become an incredibly hardworking artist whose commercial evolution within the constrainst of folk music never stopped him passing up a paying gig to a benefit concert. Schumacher shows how Phil's political activity evolved hand in hand with his music and how Phil's journalistic side of him always remained a fascinating and worthy second career

Another turning point in Phil's life was the horrifying police brutality at the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention (prefiguring what was handed out to British miners at Orgreave 1984) which broke Phil's heart, tipping him into alcoholism and mental troubles.. He wouldn't have been so badly affected if her weren't such a patriot. That being said, he didn't go down without a fight and the culmination of him being the very rare fantasist who could turn his dreams into our reality was in his "Evening with Salvador Allende." At a time when his health was on the decline, this pulled off his biggest benefit concert against the odds after both the Chilean President and his friend, Victor Jara, were murdered in a military coup.

Phil's life is commonly viewed as a tragedy in line with his own personal downwqard spiralling demise but the true value of Phil's life is most recently apparent as so many of Phil's songs can and have been updated so easily- "Cops of the World " and "White Boots Marching in an Arab (instead of Yellow) Land" come to mind and more than ever before, he is relevant to today's struggles and this book serves as valuable further reading material to the currently released film on Phil's life of the same title.

Imagine Phil Ochs in 1997 singing for the pope. It could never happen. He was the real thing. This book reads like a novel -- but it is as wonderful as DEATH OF A REBEL if not superior. If you love Phil's music, you must read this. If you don't know who Phil Ochs is -- you must read this -- Phil was the real thing. Bob Dylan is a total fraud.

This is an excellent biography of an American writer who had a message we need to hear now as much as when he wrote regarding civil rights and the war in Viet Nam. The author discribes the developement of the music as well as his personal life.
Phil Ochs was a genius who wrote music that is, unfortunately, timeless, even though it was called "dated" by the 70's. It is a tradgedy for America that his voice is gone.

This book provides the best look that I've read into the troubled life and tragic death of folk rocker Phil Ochs. Not afraid to mince words, Schumacker writes an entertaining and admiring biography that still manages to honestly evaluate and examine the last several years of Ochs' life, when things got very bad and DUI, drugs and multiple personality disorder was the order of the day. Where many rock biographers are wont to cover the glory years and leave the tough stuff to obituary writers, this book is written to withstand the test of time, and to potentially introduce Ochs to a generation of people who grew up never having heard of him.

a Fabulous insight into the times and songs of Phil Ochs
for true fans of of topical folk music. He was so very
gifted and this helps his music and words live on.
Loved it !!!