Yes, I bought a 2 record LP of him in the late 70s/early 80's. I think part of the reason for his frustration (I can't comment on his manic/depressive state) was that during the 1960's Phil largely painted himself into a corner. Vietnam and Civil Rights seemed to be at the center of most of his music. I am still impressed how he could take a dead-on harsh view of war ("Santo Domingo") and a lighthearted one ("Draft Dodger Rag") and make valid points with both. I don't remember if "Santo Domingo" was the full title of the tune or just part of it. Anyhow, as the 60's turned into the 70's, the Civil Rights movement seemed to lose momentum with the death of Dr. King in 1968, the Kent State shootings in 1970, and the American withdrawl from Vietnam beginning in 1973. It seems that Phil had nothing to write about from there. That positive view of Phil is tempered by.....
His suicide in 1976. He hung himself in his sister's bathroom, and if I'm not mistaken one of her children found him that way. Maybe he wasn't rational (I don't know of any rational suicide, save for terminally ill patients in pain), but if he was going to do it, I wish he would have gone out in the woods somewhere, where his family will not have to live forever with that memory.
All in all, Phil was a very talented guy, and if he could have found a new cause to champion, he may still be alive today.
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