I saw Phil Ochs several times in Greenwich Village in the early 60's. That was the starting point of their careers for Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs, Dave Van Ronk, Peter LaFarge, Noel Stookey, Lou Gossett, Fred Neil, Len Chandler, Richie Havens, and even Peter Tork(who became a Monkey.) They were playing in small coffee houses, and just starting to record. Of all those performers, Ochs was by far the least comfortable. I respected him for his songwriting and the intensity of his commitment to the anti-war movement, but I found him
almost impossible to sit and listen to for more than a couple of songs. Of the other performers listed above, they all seemed far more comfortable and accessible as people. It was a tragedy that Ochs didn't seem capable of relaxing or just enjoying the moment. Even Dylan, who was so nervous that it looked like he was hooked up to a low voltage wire seemed more relaxed and communicative than Phil. I probably would have enjoyed Och's music more if I had never seen him perform. I didn't see him after he achieved more fame, so I don't know how he was later in his time.

Jerry