Monday 4 May 2009

The Phil Ochs Video Vault: The Sound Is Now

"On September 27, 1968, SA [Special Agent] ascertained from the Information Office of Metromedia Television, WNEW, Channel 5, 205 East 67th Street, NYC, that the subject was to make a 'rare' television appearance on that television channel at 7:30 p.m., September 28, 1968, on a taped special, 'The Sound is Now' show, which show had been taped two weeks prior to showing." -Excerpt from Phil Ochs' FBI file

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Once again, the incompetence of the FBI shines through as a beacon of hope in these times of the dream of a total surveillance society.

'The Sound is Now' pilot was actually taped in February 1968. For those not privy to this information, the FBI included, you may infer an approximate date of taping from the lack of mention of the MLK and RFK assassinations in the talk segments of Ochs' appearance on the program.

Anonymous said...

Not to mention (which I didn't in the previous comment) the absence of any discussion of the events in Chicago at the Democratic Convention in August of '68.

Anonymous said...

Sounds reasonable. How do you know it was taped in Feb 68?

Anonymous said...

I've seen a tape copy of the complete original program, which includes the date it was recorded. The first half-hour of the show features Sonny & Cher with Henry Morgan as the 'establishment' figure who cross-examines them. Morgan makes some comment about the illiteracy of today's youth, hence Phil's quip 'pardon my English' as he begins "I Ain't Marchin' Anymore.'

Anonymous said...

That's great; I've never seen the full thing. Thanks!