Finished Fr 7/24/15
I found this book as I was packing for the move to 940 Westview. This biography came out just before John Phillips book and caused quite a stir back in 1986. I thought his book was much more of a revelation since he was a major supplier and user of prescription drugs, and became addicted to heroin.
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' is fairly enjoyable tabloid fare and the biggest revelation is just how short the band was really on the scene- only two and a half years and for one summer, Michelle was fired from the band. They had a slew of classic singles, and I would have thought that they were together for at least a decade.
Papa John and Lou Adler, the manager were instrumental in organizing Monterey Pop.
The Mamas and Papas used voice teachers throughout their career.
The MugWumps was the band that Cass Elliot, Denny Doherty, and John Sebastian were from. Scott Mckenzie was also part of this scene.
Michelle met John when she was seventeen and he convinced her to sing with them and sideline her lucrative career in modeling.
John was an established singer in the folk trio, The Journeymen. Scott McKenzie also in the band.
Michelle Phillips went on to have a long career in acting and a major role on Knots Landing. I never watched that show.
Michelle's affair with Gene Clark of the Byrds is what caused John to fire her from the band. She had also been romantically involved with Denny Doherty.
John, Denny, and Michelle 'dropped out' to the Virgin Islands in the early sixties. Denny was friends with Cass, and he called her down to try out for the band. This was when many of their hits were written.
They were already best selling recording artists before they ever sang in public.
'Creeque Alley' is a song that documents the formation of the group and 'the scene'...'Nobody Gettin' Fat But Mama Cass'.
The book is nearly thirty years old, and the article in Wikipedia really helped out.
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