Utah Phillips, anarchist folksinger storyteller, Golden Voice of the Great South-West, RIP

"The long memory is the most radical idea in America." U.Utah Phillips


I just heard last night that Utah Phillips died a couple weeks ago.

Mr. Phillips was a unique individual. He had a long white beard long white hair braided down his back. He called himself an anarchist and a wobbly and he told tales of hobos, tramps and bums, of union organizers, of activists. He once talked of running for President of the United States for the "sloth and indolence party". He started out as Bruce Phillips, but took the name U. Utah Phillips, because he admired country singer T. Texas Tyler. Although his convictions were very serious, he couldn't resist peppering his performances with jokes, usually very pointed ones.

Utah Phillips was also a fine song-writer and wrote tunes such as that lovely tune about aging cowboys, The Goodnight-Loving Trail, and Rock Salt and Nails.





There is plenty more of Mr. Phillips material on Youtube. I think he was a very special man, and I suggest you check out some of the video clips available.