U. Utah Phillips; Singer, Storyteller, Rabble Rouser ; Used Humor in Fighting for Unions, Poor

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U. Utah Phillips, a Grammy-nominated folksinger, rabble-rouser and anarchist whose wild white beard recalled his years as a tramp, died of heart disease May 23 at his home in Nevada City, Calif. He was 73.

Mr. Phillips, who over four decades on the road combined storytelling with song, described the plight of the working class, the power of labor unions and the necessity of action. He dubbed himself the "Golden Voice of the Great Southwest," but his words, more than his baritone voice, carried authority; he had been a soldier, railroader, archivist, union organizer, founder of a homeless shelter and homeless himself.

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U. Utah Phillips; Singer, Storyteller, Rabble Rouser ; Used Humor in Fighting for Unions, Poor

He recorded the oft-overlooked value of rubber pockets, a necessity when stealing soup. His tall tale "Gaffing" was a rich illustration of populist scams. ...

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