The Mamas & The Papas "Creeque Alley" on The Ed Sullivan Show 

In 2000, my 16 year old daughter came to me so excited. She heard a "new" band The Mama's and Papas. I laughed my head off....priceless. I guess the music is timeless.

Dear Cass Elliot. Bless her heart,she took all of that on the chin with style and grace,all for the benefit of the group. She deserved so much more. I have no doubt that the Angels in heaven were happy to receive her,for she had a voice that could reign in their choir.

Someone gave my mum tickets to see Cass at the Palladium, my dad couldn't go with her so she took the nine year old me. Didn't know who she was until that night, but I was a fan by the end of the show. She was engaging and funny all evening and even at the tender age of nine I understood what a great voice she had. Then a couple of days later I found my mum in tears and momma Cass had gone. I was one of the lucky ones who'd seen her last show. Great loss.

Anyone here in 2024 ?

Cass and Denny had the voices, but the 4 of them together were magic.

Cass sure could sing - what a wonderful, natural singer

I always wondered how MaMa Cass felt about having to sing that one line about herself ….such a talent

For anyone that t doesn't already know, Creque's Alley, was an actual place in St.Thomas , Virgin Islands, where the Mama's and Papas lived for a period of time.

no vocal gimmicks, no pitch correction, even when they were all singing the same notes, their voices blended perfectly!

Pure heaven listening to the 4 of them harmonize.

Mama Cass made tht band. They needed her. No one else could carry the harmony.

This band would have gone nowhere without the BRILLIANT Cass Elliot!

Interesting, Cass has the real star power here, really draws you in. All four are superb of course but Cass had something special.

Some of the most clever pop lyrics you'll ever find. Man, Michelle was an absolute doll.

this group was one of the high water marks of the 60's

She was a big woman, but she wasn't afraid to dance. Love them.

As of November 2020, only Michelle survives - now 76 years old. She was 23 when this videotape was made.

No- ones getting remembered like mama Cass

I don't think any group could harmonize as good as them

I’m grateful that I was able to spend my youth with music like this.

This is about 8 months after I saw them at the Berkeley Community Theater. The best live harmonies I ever heard, or ever expect to hear.

This has to be one of the coolest songs ever

I am listening to this great group in 2024😊... who's listening with me....?... will in 2025..?

Their harmonies are simply outstanding. AND no autotune in sight. John Phillips. Great singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. At 68+ years I remember them well. Michelle is the only one left. They were REALLY good. Give a listen.

I love Cass’ voice-she was an amazing singer! RIP

Michelle was the epitome of 60's beauty!

Oh Cass! You are one of my favorites 💗 I wish you were still here girl!

The skinny ones are fortunate that big one is there, she has a powerful and amazing voice.

I was a young man back then. What a great time for music.

Cass Elliot was the star of this group folks...Word.

"Duffy's good vibrations and our imaginations Can't go on indefinitely" Love this line.

My favorite Mama's and Papas song

Cass had the best voice she was an absolute legend ❤️❤️🇬🇧

I'm listening to in 2024 and have been listening to them since 1967!!!! Gosh I'm old...lol

One of the most iconic songs during that generation

Mama Cass, what a beautiful voice... what a striking and confident personality..., She radiates joyfulness...

Cass and Denny were two outstanding singers. John the brains, Michelle the knockout beauty.

56 years later. Still love them

2024 We are still listening to you M&P. WE love you!

This group could never be replaced

I consider this their best song, the lyrics are pure genius and the tune is extremely catchy.

1:55 "Michelle John & Denny getting very tuneful." Nice to hear Michelle not being drowned out for a change.

Cass and Danny had wonderful voices. The Mamas and Papas were great!

Cass was class, she took it all with a smile, I loved her own shows, so funny

They wouldn't have been as famous as they were... Without Mama Cass ❤️

Mama Cass, what a natural talent!!! forever missed

This is a masterclass in songwriting

A clever song detailing the group's history . "The Mugwumps", mentioned in the lyric, were a predecessor group consisting of Denny, Cass, John and "Zal" which refers to Zal Yanovsky who became lead guitarist for the Lovin' Spoonful.

They had a beautiful blend of timbres, and great arrangements. Excellent.

Brilliant harmonies. I remember Cass Elliott saying that none of them could sing a note alone, but together they were fantastic.

For anyone who fancies a singalong: John and Mitchy were gettin' kind of itchy Just to leave the folk music behind Zal and Denny workin' for a penny Tryin' to get a fish on the line In a coffee house Sebastian sat And after every number they'd pass the hat McGuinn and McGuire just a gettin' higher In L.A., you know where that's at And no one's gettin' fat except Mama Cass Zally said Denny, you know there aren't many Who can sing a song the way that you do, let's go south Denny said Zally, golly, don't you think that I wish I could play guitar like you Zal, Denny and Sebastian sat (at the Night Owl) And after every number they'd pass the hat McGuinn and McGuire still a gettin' higher In L.A., you know where that's at And no one's gettin' fat except Mama Cass When Cass was a sophomore, planned to go to Swarthmore But she changed her mind one day Standin' on the turnpike, thumb out to hitchhike Take me to New York right away When Denny met Cass he gave her love bumps Called John and Zal and that was the Mugwumps McGuinn and McGuire couldn't get no higher But that's what they were aimin' at And no one's gettin' fat except Mama Cass Mugwumps, high jumps, low slumps, big bumps Don't you work as hard as you play Make up, break up, everything is shake up Guess it had to be that way Sebastian and Zal formed the Spoonful Michelle, John, and Denny gettin' very tuneful McGuinn and McGuire just a catchin' fire In L.A., you know where that's at And everybody's gettin' fat except Mama Cass Broke, busted, disgusted, agents can't be trusted And Mitchy wants to go to the sea Cass can't make it, she says we'll have to fake it We knew she'd come eventually Greasin' on American Express cards It's low rent, but keeping out the heat's hard Duffy's good vibrations and our imaginations Can't go on indefinitely And California dreamin' is becomin' a reality

Whatever happened to harmony like this in popular music? I miss it.

Just a great song. Michelle was beautiful. BTW... when he wrote “....and no one’s gettin fat except Mama Cass”...he meant that no one else was making any money at the time except Cass because her voice was so fantastic.

full body chills. i don’t think i’ll ever get tired of the mamas and the papas.

This is fantastic! And they have all their clothes on too! Who would have thought all you needed was pure talent to sell records back in the day. 🎶❤️

I cannot get this song out of my head....it is brilliant

I don’t think Cass knew how many loved her ,she was the band

Mama Cass... oh god you were incredible.... ❤ THAT VOICE

Some of the best harmonies ever sung. Ever.

I'm sure everyone has a favorite song by the Mama's & Pap's but Creeque Alley has always been my favorite. Few groups have this kind of harmony.

Denny moves like a Disney World animatronic

Amazing what can be done without auto tune. Welcome to 2022

I love when Mama Cass throws the harmony over the line, "...thumb out to hitchhike..."....that sounds so damn fine!

I love the way Mama Cass sings 💕 she is such a beautiful woman and she will always be in my heart ❤. R I P MAMA CASS 😢. I love the group because I was just a teenager when they started singing in the 60's. I wish they were still together. 😢😥😟😦😰

Michelle Phillips is luscious, sings beautifully !!

Love you always Cass!

Big shout out to Denny Doherty, lead singer of the Mamas and Papas from Halifax ,Nova Scotia Canada eh !!

My Mom would sing and dance around the house when my brothers would play this song. I remember like it was yesterday!

I have come to appreciate the Mamas and Papas more as the yers go by. Especially Michelle Phillips. What a voice she possessed. And her appearance! The quintessential “hippie chick.”

I loved hearing them sing. Especially Mama Cass Elliott. She was a great singer. I was sad when she passed away. I loved her singing and natural talent.

"And no one's getting fat except Mama Cass" . 😁😂 I love it!

Happy 77th Birthday Holly Michelle Gilliam AKA Michelle Phillips June 4, 1944 Long Beach. You are not only a hippie rock icon. But also an actress, songwriter and accomplished model. Thank goodness for 60's / early 70's music and culture which you were a big part of.

I wish cass Elliot was still here rip your voice was so sweet

I love Cass’ yell-singing style. So loud, so powerful.

I miss them so much. Only Michelle is with us now. I adored the Mamas and the Papas. So many beautiful songs.

Cass and Denny were the guts of this group...what talents.

How is it possible to be that good? Music genius.

What beautiful voices these 4 have

When it took talent to make it. You can't top this.

When music was music... wow.. The best song they did!

A perfect pop nugget of gold. It never gets old.

Cass Elliot was the heart n soul of the band! 💯❤️🙂

I love how they tell their story and poke fun while their at it, and still create a great song, no simple 3or4 lines repeated, that's talent in my book.

They were so beautiful. I’ll always love them.

Such a fun song. It really brings the 60s back to life.

My favorite M & P’s song. Harmony doesn’t get much better than that! 😊

One of the best songs ever cleverly writtern track the history of the band brilliant thanks for sharing

0:21 they’re voices together 🔥

Man, what a great era of tunes eh?

"No one's getting fat except mama Cass"? lol🤣🤣

Best harmony and harmonies pop group there ever was

“...And no one’s getting fat except Mama Cass...”. Mama Cass had a great sense of humor.😃

I'm So grateful that these recordings have survived. History never to be repeated. Great days, great music.

Loved Cass’s song. ‘Make your own kind of music’

‘No-one’s getting fat except Mama Cass’ I wonder how she felt singing that.

Mama Cass ........one of the best female singers of all time.

This is a crazy masterpiece. Phenomenal.

L.A. - you know where that's at.. Love it! Woohoo!

Their voices match so perfectly, no matter what the combination.

Cass had a beautiful voice and I miss her and her talent ! I was 18 when she died in 1974 ! Was a sad day when she died !