I met Phil on Feb 1st, 1974 when he arrived in Madison to play a benefit concert I had organized to support the Wounded Knee Legal Defense Fund. That’s a great long story for another time, but he really bailed me out on short notice after Tracy Nelson (who’s from Madison) dropped out at the last minute.
He sang “Here’s to the State of Richard Nixon” — a reworking of his song, “Here’s to the State of Mississippi” and raised more than $5K for Wounded Knee Defense.
We became friends after that and when we met in NYC off Union Sq. a couple years later, I told him about my plans for “The War at Home” which we had just finished shooting. I asked him if I could use “I Ain’t A Marchin’ Anymore” to the film, gratis, which he agreed to contribute — which actually happened thanks to his best friend (and executor) after Phil died who knew his pledge to me, which is featured in the film.
Phil’s life and career were cut short by mental illness, but he was a very good guy, a true committed activist and one of the most brilliant political folk singers who captured —and inspired—the resistance to the war In Vietnam more than any other singer/ songwriter of his time. He is still, sorely, missed.
Even after his death, Phil rarely caught a break. The Clash used his lyrics--but on a weak song. Neil Young records "Changes"--but sloppy. Lady Gaga doing his tune at DNC--forgotten and not online seemingly. Left out of "Chicago 7" movie. And so on.
I met Phil on Feb 1st, 1974 when he arrived in Madison to play a benefit concert I had organized to support the Wounded Knee Legal Defense Fund. That’s a great long story for another time, but he really bailed me out on short notice after Tracy Nelson (who’s from Madison) dropped out at the last minute.
He sang “Here’s to the State of Richard Nixon” — a reworking of his song, “Here’s to the State of Mississippi” and raised more than $5K for Wounded Knee Defense.
We became friends after that and when we met in NYC off Union Sq. a couple years later, I told him about my plans for “The War at Home” which we had just finished shooting. I asked him if I could use “I Ain’t A Marchin’ Anymore” to the film, gratis, which he agreed to contribute — which actually happened thanks to his best friend (and executor) after Phil died who knew his pledge to me, which is featured in the film.
Phil’s life and career were cut short by mental illness, but he was a very good guy, a true committed activist and one of the most brilliant political folk singers who captured —and inspired—the resistance to the war In Vietnam more than any other singer/ songwriter of his time. He is still, sorely, missed.
Nice, Greg. Phil was, if not one of the greats, one of the guys who really mattered.
Even after his death, Phil rarely caught a break. The Clash used his lyrics--but on a weak song. Neil Young records "Changes"--but sloppy. Lady Gaga doing his tune at DNC--forgotten and not online seemingly. Left out of "Chicago 7" movie. And so on.