I was at the Winnipeg folk festival in the summer of 1977, and I got to
hear all sorts of great music, and even to do a little jamming here and
there. But the most important thing I got out of that weekend was spending
an hour walking the grounds of the festival with Utah Phillips the folksinger.
Utah took me literally "under his wing" placing his arm on my shoulder
as we walked, and explaining to me his view of life as an individualist
and an anarchist - his personal form of anarchy which allows him to be
free and independent by doing thisngs for himself and not waiting for some
corporate entity or govt. authority to do it for him.
It was Utah who told me that one is best looking up to dead heroes since
they can't go and disappoint you anymore - at least not like a live hero
who can still screw up pretty badly. I think I was telling him about my
disappointment in seeing one of my boyhood idols - Rambling Jack Elliott
the night before get onstage drunk, and then cut his set short since he
couldn't really perform....
Well, that one hour conversation with Utah Phillips both inspired me
and filled me with wisdom that I carry with me to this day.
Eli Marcus is an Israeli blues festival producer and blues radio show
host. Contact Eli Marcus.