First Time Reaction | The Mamas & The Papas - California Dreamin | Reaction 

Like Fleetwood Mac, it was a soap opera in their relationships within the group. John and Michelle were married to each other, and Cass had feelings for Denny. Michelle, still married to John had a fling with Denny which hurt Cass and was a factor in the eventual breakup of the group. Cass would go on to a solo career, but sadly die of a heart attack in 1974, I believe.

I would argue that Cass Elliott is right up there with Ann Wilson, Linda Ronstadt, and other greats as far as vocals go.

Mama Cass had a powerhouse voice that she kept restrained to make the harmonies work. She unleashed it to full effect in her solo career after the group fell apart.

The book you referred to was written by MacKenzie Phillips, John's daughter, about her father; they were both long-time addicts, hers may have been caused by his abuse, but who knows. The group made a huge impact for a short-lived group. Michelle Phillips is the only one still alive.

Your curiosity and willingness to follow the tale is what makes you a great reactor. Love their harmony's but Cass was my favorite voice. She covered one of my favorites: "Dream and Little Dream of Me".

They were in New York which is as cold as Canada in the winter & Michelle was a California girl.

Calif back then and Calif today, are two different worlds.

Cass Elliott and Keith Moon did die in the same apartment. However it wasn’t a hotel room. It was an apartment belonging to Harry Nilsson. He often let his friends stay there. If you haven’t already checked out Nilsson, I highly recommend it. My fave song of his is, “Without You.”

California in the 60's and 70' was the "best place on earth" everyone wanted to go!!

It was a moment in history when all the cool kids (Beach boys, Crosby, Still, Nash and Young) were all heading to the canyon. Watch the documentary Echoes in the Canyon and they'll take you through this historic period in music history.

Cass Elliot had a powerful over the top voice, which she toned down greatly to fit in this group. A heart attack at only 33years old ended her life. This group had a unique sound.

This song was written because they was in New York on a cold snowy day and started thinking about how warm California was

You have to remember that this song was done back in the 60's. It's not like today's music that's been heavily produced and mixed and all that technical stuff. It's just music in its purest form.

They used 4 part counterpoint harmony which is very rare and their execution of it was divine!

I recommend “Creeque Alley” written about the four members, how they met and other musicians they knew at the time. It is fabulous. Barry McGuire is one of the musicians noted in the “Creeque Alley” song. “If You’re Going To San Francisco”. Oh yes! The Mamas and Papas was a catalyst for the first gathering of musicians for a weekend concert, in the history of rock music. Woodstock followed in 1969 and was huge, but Monterrey Pop was the FIRST outdoor rock concert involving many of the rock performers of that time. Later, you can research the story of John “Papa” Phillips, who got heavy into drugs later, bringing his daughter, McKenzie, into his horrendous downward spiral into heroin use. That was the bad part. They were a talented group and made some of the best music of the 1960’s. John Phillips had been a leader, an innovator, a visionary…..until heroin took him down. His daughter Mackenzie Phillips grew up in that drug environment and wrote a book about it.

The Mamas & the Papas were a great folk rock group in the 60's. I had their records. They were known for their smooth harmonies. They had lots of great hits such as "Monday, Monday", "Dedicated To The One I Love", "Words Of Love", "Dancing In The Street", "Look Through My Window", "Creeque Alley", "Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)", "Safe In My Garden", "I Saw Her Again" etc. Mama Cass Elliot went solo & had a big hit with "Dream A Little Dream Of Me".

I love that you spotted Cass Elliott in the crowd watching Janis Joplin. That was SO COOL

The Mamas and Papas sponsored the Monterey Pop festival. Symbolically, Monterey pop was the end of the folk era and start of the electric era. Also, this was Janis Joplin break out performance. So, Cass Elliott viewing Janis in the film witnessing Janis hits on so many levels.

I'm usually into classic rock and punk rock but I love The Mamas and The Papas. Beautiful harmonies and Cass Elliot had a wonderful voice.

The young blonde (Michelle) is the only one still living. She's 80 now. That gives perspective on how long ago this was.

Best vocal group of the 60s. Mama Cass sang with John Denver is great. (leaving on a jet plane).

The Book was by Makinzie Phillips whichs the Daughter of John the tall guy of the group

I loved them when the first came out way back then & at 74 years old now - I still listen to them all the time!!! Takes me back to my hippie days!!!!

They were stuck in New York during the winter and daydreaming about being back home in LA.

Sex broke the group up as it often does. Michelle Philips (young blonde) was John Phillips 2nd wife & was only 18 when they met. She actually wrote many of the songs he took credit for as he was a master manipulator. The book about the abuse was by his daughter, actress McKenzie Phillips, from his first marriage. It was one of the reasons Michelle got out with their young daughter, actress & singer Chynna Philips (who stood by her half sister when the book came out). They were very close to the Beach Boys (next to the Bee Gees the greatest harmonies ever), especially Brian Wilson the genius behind the music. Chynna grew up next door to Brian & his 1st wife and her best friends were Brian’s daughters Wendy & Carnie Wilson. In the 80’s the three girls had a very successful run as Wilson Phillips & inherited their parents gift of harmony. Hold On is a great song of these 2nd generation of two sets of music legends.

I was in high school when this song hit. i was amazed. i lived in New England, and the leaves were brown, the sky was gray, and I dreamed of California, where I soon found myself--7 years of grad school at Berkeley. I loved every minute of it!

This song (and group) take me back to the mid 60's when I was 16 yrs old and life was great . . . mostly . . . and music was was EVERYTHING in my life!!! ❤😂 You need to listen to Cass Elliot sing something by herself to appreciate her powerful voice! First thing that comes to mind is Dream a Little Dream of Me. You can't judge her voice by her singing with the group. Her voice is so much more than the others. It's a tragedy that she didn't have a longer solo career. 😢 Glad you liked the Mama's and Papa's and please do more! Thx. Love from Kansas! 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸😍

Cass Elliott had a successful solo career after the band broke up, you might enjoy checking out her solo work.

I was a freshman in high school when this song was popular. One thing that I didn't see anyone mention is that the Michelle Phillips look was the look of the 60's hippie movement. If you look at pictures from the 60's, you'll see a lot of women who looked and dressed like Michelle Phillips or Gloria Steinem. This is my first time watching your reviews. I'll be back for more.

Cass Elliot died in a flat on Curzon street in London in 1974. Four years later Kieth Moon also died in the same flat, in the same bed that Cass died in. Jim Morrison died in a hotel in France.

Momma Cass had serious pipes. ❤

Here is more info than you probably want, but John Philips was married to Michelle. Cass was dating Denny and was apparently in love with him. Michelle and Denny had an affair, which is basically why the band broke up. John was the father of Mackenzie Philips, who wrote the tell-all book you mentioned and yes, she had what appears to have been a consensual adult incestuous relationship with her father (whatever that is). Mackenzie is a reasonably famous actress who starred in the classic movie "American Graffiti," the sitcom "One Day at a Time" and more recently "Orange is the New Black." Cass had a brief solo career before her passing at age 32 from a heart attack. It's a messy story to say the least, but I do love their music. Try "Dedicated To The One I Love."

It was the 60’s , a lot of relationships 😂 Stop calling yourself stupid, you are not! Your reactions are wonderful and you are very inquisitive about each group, thanks❤️ Cheers from Juneau •Alaska (also dreaming of Cali)

In my opinion their best song is Dedicated to the One I Love. Try to find the live version of that, fantastic harmonies.

It was Mackenzie Phillips that wrote the book. She was John’s daughter from his first marriage and she wrote about the incest😢Michelle was his 2nd wife( part of group. They have a daughter Chyna who has a Podcast “ California Preaching “ and Johns other daughter from 3rd wife Bijou who is married to Danny Masterson) That 70’s Show. He was recently sent to Prison for 30-45 years for Sexual Offences! Kinda messed up! But I’ve always loved their music. Denny was from Toronto. Michelle and Denny had an affair. Cass wanted to go Solo and it was a Heart Attack 😢 A little dysfunctional! Cass was in love with Denny but wasn’t interested romantically. Cass was on tour in England and had been up a couple days. Her friend made her a sandwich, and went out. Cass never took a bite, and tabloids ran that she died by choking on a Ham sandwich. Due to the partying and weight issues her death was by Heart Attack 😢 She has a daughter named Owen, but I don’t think many knew who the father was. Owen wrote a book that’ll be out early Spring. Michelle is only remaining member. Chyna John’s daughter has interviewed her Mom and Owen on her You Tube channel. Oh and Chyna is married to Billy Baldwin.

Dream a Little Dream of Me is one of my all time favorite vocals sung by Cass Elliot. Mackenzie Phillips starred alongside Valerie Bertinelli and Bonnie Franklin in a sitcom in the early 70's. She was John Phillips daughter by his first wife. She had a very terrible childhood which resulted in her drug addiction while she belonged to this tv cast.

This group is awesome, such great harmony & just chillin & peaceful easy listening ❤

I remember seeing these guys on TV (probably the Ed Sullivan show) when I was around 7 years old. This is a great song.

They were what was called flower kids back then, sort of Smothers' Brother's stuff or Woodstock.

IIRC you like Carpenters...they covered California Dreamin' early in their career and eventually it appeared on a post-Karen compilation. Also check out Another Song from the 1970 Carpenters album Close To You, which has much in common with this one... There was a kind of sequel to The Mamas And The Papas in the late 80s; daughters of members of that group and of the Beach Boys founded Wilson Phillips, who recorded two very nice albums with lots of sweet harmonies...

Back when this was written, EVERYBODY was dreaming of hitching to California to live what you kids now call, their best life.

Hi! Loving your reactions! You may want to consider using headphones or earbuds especially when listening to studio versions - because you’re missing out on some great orchestration and production that was done especially for listening in stereo.

3:55 they disbanded because Mama Cass died at '74 from a infraction, without her, the harmony died along with her and the two other papas who died at 2001 and '07, Mama Michelle is the only living member of the group since them at 70 or 80 years old. and yess, Mama cass(the big woman) died in the same room as Keith Moon, who died 4 years after she died.

California Dreamin’ was their most famous song. Michelle Phillips was married to band member, John Phillips (guy in the blue shirt). Cass had a crush on Denny. John became a drug addict. Michelle was a real free spirit. She had an affair with Denny. You know, sex, drugs, rock and roll WAS the 60’s and 70’s. Also, Mama Cass had a powerful voice and wanted to branch out to do more solo work. So, the band sort of dissolved, due to all that. Rock and roll became hot, hot, hot in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the early 60’s. So young people started to flock there, especially musicians. New York City had a huge folk scene in Greenwich Village. John and Michelle Phillips put this singing group together as a folk group in NYC. They finally ended up in LA. And all the musicians lived up in the Laurel Canyon neighborhood near Sunset Strip. It was like a big summer camp of musicians up there. Musicians wandered in and out of each other’s homes with their guitars and so much of the 60’s music and those great bands originated right there! Cass wanted a closer relationship with Denny. She loved him. When Michelle had an affair with Denny, it hurt the relationship with Cass. Cass Elliott had great parties up in Laurel Canyon and she was instrumental for helping Crosby, Stills, and Nash getting a band together. At one party, Eric Clapton learned how to finger pick on his guitar from Joni Mitchell. Now he’s one of the greatest guitarists in rock history. Cass started a solo career and was becoming very popular on her own, when she suddenly died of a heart attack at an apartment in London, owned by singer-songwriter, Harry Nillson, after a cocktail party, in her sleep. It was Keith Moon who died in the same apartment as Cass, 4 years later.

love this song. another great reaction. you should check a band called wilson phillips.the members consist of carnie and wendy wilson who are the daughters of brian wilson of the beach boys and chynna phillips daugther of michelle phillips. their biggest hit is prob hold on(1990) which was featured years later in movie bridesmaids(2011) where they appear at the reception to sing it.

Back in the Sixties, California was the place to be. Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco was hippy central at the time and the beaches of southern California were another draw.

This was on the first album my parents got me for Christmas. Their melodies cannot be beaten. 😎

Not all of California is a warm place. In the mountain areas, they get a lot of snow. I love the mama's and papa's.

If you heard Mama Cass Elliot’s voice on its own you would be wowed. Her’s is definitely the voice that carried this group in my opinion. 🌺✌️

One song I love is "Leaving on a jet plane" a song by John Denver and Cass joined him. It was featured during a proactive campaign to get "youth" involved in voting.... they have a fun chemistry!

Cass was a wonderful singer.🙏💔

60’s magic in glorious simplicity.

As I understand it the song was written by one of the members who was homesick for his home in California while they were working in New York.

Cass Elliot was from my hometown of Baltimore, MD. John and Michelle Phillips were married to each other. McKenzie Phillips who was JOHN Phillips daughter from his 1st marriage wrote the book you are talking about. It's called "High On Arrival". Check out "Dedicated to the one I love." Another beautiful song.

Michelle, the thin one, went on to be an actress. And Denny, the guy who had the solo, appeared in series Trailer Park Boys. There are cold places in California during the winter. If you were in Tahoe right now, you’d be pretty damn cold.

You got it, at the time this hit the charts the youth movement to California to be part of "the scene" was huge.

All time classic! Top 100 maybe even 50 songs ever ♥

The excuse they gave was that the music scene was changing from folk-type music to more technical forms. Cass Elliot died of heart failure at a hotel in London while she was playing the Palladium in London. Cass had feelings for Denny. John married Michelle when she was 18. By the 70s John was doing heroin and other drugs. He even involved his young child Makenzie Phillips in his drug habit at the age of 11. He also had inc**t with her mulitple times ending with an abo**ed pregnancy. Makenzie was a wonderful actress in her own right playing on One Day At A Time with Valerie Bertinelli (who married Eddie Van Halen) and has appeared in Orange Is The New Black. John Phillips had a liver transplant in the early 90s but he continued his alcohol abuse. He died of heart failure in 2001 Denny was Canadian and appeared on multiple shows and help start The New Mamas and Papas. He and Michelle had an affair (which was probably part of the break up). He died of kidney failure in 2007. Michelle is the only surviving member. She has numerous acting credits and singing credits to her name. She's most known for her acting on a prime time soap named Knots Landing. She has also appeared in Star Trek: TNG. She is the mother to Chynna Phillips of the singing trio Wilson-Phillips. You should really watch Cass Elliot and John Denver "Leaving On A Jet Plane." GOOSE BUMPS!

I love this song from Mamas & The Papas , and Cass Elliot's ''Dream a Little Dream'' they remind me of my Mother dancing in the kitchen and while doing her house work in 1970, The Mamas & The Papas, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez , Baez and Dylan did a lot of each others music which makes sense seeing they were a couple and their music being pretty much the same sound and folk music. The Joan Baez Songs ''There But For Fortune''' ''The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down'' '''love Is Just A Four Letter Word." And Bob Dylan songs ''Lay Lady Lay'' ''Like A Rolling Stone''' '''Don't Think Twice Its Alright''' '''Just Like A Woman''' and ""Mr Tambourine Man''' will always until I die remind me of my Mum swirling around in the kitchen whilst Lip Syncing into her broom handle dance partner. I was 5 years old at the end of 1970. She Passed away Yesterday aged 80. 😧 😊😊

Such a good group and song. The book was from Makenzie the daughter of John Phillips.

The book was by McKenzie Philips. The daughter of Papa John Phillips. They ended up having a consensual sexual relationship. Mama Michelle Phillips was married to John, but McKenzie was his daughter with his first wife.

This groups songTwelve Thirty has a very interesting true story about their time in Laurel Canyon, CA.

Cass wasn’t going with either John nor Denny…..she was in love with Denny but he just wanted to be friends. Mama was doing well in her solo career, and had been doing a residency at a Las Vegas Hotel.. She had also wanted to lose weight and was on diet pills the combined stress of nightly performances and the pills weakened her heart and finally while in London, she succumbed to a heart attack. Denny ( solo vocalist in California Dreaming ) I believe was the most recent death…..around a year or so ago.

I highly recommend a listen to the Beach Boys cover of this classic from 1986. It's by far the best cover of "California Dreamin."

Monday, Monday Dedicated to The One I love are two more of... Not sure if they wrote both of them I don't think so..

Ok, this group was residing in NYC, mid late 60's. They( Cass) found the NY scene drab, and dreary, hated NY winters When the music scene shifted to the west coast (SF, and LA), the longing to relocate to the LA scene became paramount. So, eventually, off they went. Listen to their recording of 5:30. That will give you a better insight, as to the mind set. Wouldnt hurt to research the music scene at Laurel Canyon 1966 through 1972. Its an amazing story.

"California Dreamin" was the first song released and it exploded to the top.

Cass Elliot: I Call Your Name and Dream a Little Dream (of Me) really showcased her voice. Also check out some of her songs from her solo career.

You really hear Cass in the song “Sing for Your Supper”.

The woman in the dress is-mama cass she died of a heart attack at33 ! The blond woman at the end is Michelle Phillips she went on to be a famous actress, I think, best known for knots landing

I remember watching Momma Cass on Carol Burnette.

Mama Cass was a great singer who died before her time. Yes, she did die of a heart attack

If at all possible, if you can find a recording of the show Behind the Music, there was a fantastic episode on The Mamas and Papas. You will learn a lot about them individually and as a group. Michelle Phillips became an actor. She and John had a daughter, Chynna who was in the group Wilson Phillips. Chynna is also married to William Baldwin.

Hi again and I’m liking your style more each reaction. Well done, ya gonna need a bigger battery 😂. Mama Cass died, from a heart attack in her sleep.. 🙏 Some unique things about them. They were a “The Wrecking Crew” group. The L.A. based session musicians did the album music, then the four laid down the vocals and John did play guitar. Hal Blaine was on drums for many of their songs. You got the pronunciation right. Now I’m going to cross the streams of your reactions. Two years later after this song was a hit, in 1967. Richard and Karen Carpenter made a demo of this song. Demo! This was two years before “Carpenters” was a thing. They were signed with Joe Osborn (bassist with The Wrecking Crew) to his Magic Lamp record label. Richard in an early demo of what he’d do later, changed the lyrics to the song. He made it more religious. He changed “I pretend to pray” to “I began to pray.” [He would later change the lyrics to “Groupie” that became “Superstar.” That’s a different story though.] This was an early example of the greatness Karen would become in just two more years. After her death Richard put the demo on a compilation album. So again, this is before Carpenters. Here’s a link to the song, no video just slides. Joe ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pxpMkMmGkTE.htmlsi=tXeyxjGmgbI4Qjhb

This was an outstanding reaction!!! I would love to hear you respond to more from the Mama's and the Papa's! They were woven into the very soul of this transitional time in music!!! Your interest is so engaging and enthusiastic!!! I'm a new fan, thank you!!!❤😊

Cass wanted a relationship with Denny but it wasn’t reciprocated. Instead Denny had an affair with Michelle Phillips. Their song, “I Saw Her Again Last Night,” was written with the affair in mind, I believe.

This Music is called Sunshine Pop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There was such 4 member group theme back then. Beatles, AC/DC, Led Zep... etc. And I'm sure flings and drugs and such was too much for them. She passed away from a heart attack, 74. And finding someone to replace was probably impossible.

They singing about being in New York in late fall.

The book you are referring to was written by Mackenzie Phillips, who was an actress, and John Phillips daughter. It’s a crazy read about a crazy time, as was John Phillips book, Papa John.

Michelle Phillips is mother to the singer in Wilson Phillips!

Cass Elliot (Mama Cass) did have many solo hits and was a loved voice on her own right.

We got some snow today, wven though it is soooo little. I live in Texas so you know we don't get much snow, we mostly get HOTNESS😅😅😅

I’m a Californian. I hear all the crap people talk about but I tried moving. North Carolina, Florida, Texas, and I had to come back, there’s no place like it. Good and the bad. But for me this is it. Go ahead. Leave. I’ll help you pack. Just leave me here. 🌴😎🌴😎🌴

I thought I would put all these songs which I heard as a child behind me and never listen to them again. I was wrong. California Dreamin' still sounds good to me and people will probably still be listening to it long after I'm gone.

San Francisco and Los Angeles were the places to be in the late 60’s.

Thanks for sharing that song, I need to listen to more of them

Take a deep dive into Mamas and Papas + check out their song 12:30 another is Go Where You Wanna Go. Jon & Michelle Phillips had problems which split them and the band, as I recall (born in '53). Looks like you're getting the feel gor reactions. Keep it up.

Appreciate your interest in learning about the music you react to. I'm enjoying your journey into the great music of the 60s, 70s, 80s and all of its genres

California was great back then! Highway 1 most amazing drive in USA🇺🇸

Michelle was on a TV show. Sorry I can't remember which. I was like 6 lol. Heard this on WPGC Am in Wash D.C. Lots of airplay. Bridged the Grateful Dead hippie stoners type of stuff in San Fran to stuff from that scene that adults were ok with. Sonny and Cher did the same. The parents tapped feet to young musicians and left it on the radio. Not Jefferson airplane and the dead. Lol. My dad did like the Brits. Hermans Hermits, some Beatles. But yeah, Mamas and Papas. You have to hear Creek Alley. A song about the bands adventures. A fun tune.

Did not know New York was in Canada !!!!!!!!! 👍🏿👍🏽👍🍁🌻💛💙🇺🇦

This is my favorite by the Mamas and the Papas! If you want to hear how beautiful Mama Cass sang, listen to "Dream a Little Dream Of Me." Here's the link ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZZ0PZRYin2s.htmlsi=3EWlmELmIyp2C1Sn

Cass Eliot was classically trained in voice. I think there was a lot of drug use and discord in the group. When I was single, I knew a guy who talked about the Mamas and the Papas all the time. I'm only dimly recalling his stories.

There was a band that came after the malls and the Papas called Wilson Phillips

As always, another very enjoyable reaction. Thanks for sharing. I enjoying when you do the research. I like when you have the aha moments and learn the things that we've known for years. So keep up the great work and hope you don't run out of battery juice in the future. But no, we're always in your corner

Keith Moon And Cass Elliott both died in the same room in Harry Nilsson's London apartment. First Cass of a heart attack and then Keith of an OD. Nilsson sold the apartment to Pete Townshend.

i live in northern California now. got tired of the cold and snow and ice LOL. you should go at least once, although i avoid the cities as much as possible. but the smaller towns-beautiful!

I agree with the comment about you wearing headphones. I highly recommend it.

I always took it as from someone who had to leave California for some reason and misses it. I think so many songs are about California because it has been such a performance art hub and in the 60s it was a hippy hub. So Mixhelle and the other Philip's were married. I think marriage trouble tanked the band, but that is based on rumors I heard 40 years ago