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Discography

Releases:
California Dreamin' (3 versions)   Dunhill 1965
I Saw Her Again / Even If I Could (2 versions)   Dunhill ... 1966
If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears (Album) (11 versions)   Dunhill ... 1966
Look Through My Window / Once Was A Time I Thought (7")   Dunhill 1966
Mamas & The Papas, The (Album) (2 versions)   Dunhill 1966
Monday, Monday / Got A Feelin' (Single) (3 versions)   Dunhill ... 1966
Words Of Love (7", Single)   RCA Victor 1966
Words Of Love / Dancing In The Street (7", Single)   Dunhill 1966
California Dreamin' (7")   MCA Records Ltd. 1967
Creeque Alley (Vinyl + 7")   Dunhill 1967
Creeque Alley / Did You Ever Want To Cry (7", Single)   RCA Victor 1967
Creeque Alley / No Salt On Her Tail (7", Single)   RCA Victor 1967
Dancing Bear / John's Music Box (7", Single)   RCA Victor 1967
Dedicated To The One I Love (7")   Dunhill 1967
Deliver (LP, Album)   Dunhill 1967
Farewell To The First Golden Era (Comp) (5 versions)   Dunhill ... 1967
Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon) / Straight Shooter (7")   Dunhill 1967
Dream A Little Dream Of Me (2 versions)   Dunhill ... 1968
For The Love Of Ivy / Strange Young Girls (7")   Dunhill 1968
Golden Era Vol. 2 (LP, Comp)   Dunhill 1968
Hits Of Gold (2 versions)   Stateside ... 1968
The Papas & The Mamas (Album) (2 versions)   Dunhill ... 1968
Historic Performances At The Monterey International Pop Festival (LP, Album)   Dunhill 1970
People Like Us (Album) (4 versions)   Dunhill ... 1971
Step Out / Shooting Star (7", Single)   Probe, EMI Electrola 1971
Cass. John. Michelle. Dennie (LP)   Dunhill 1972
Deliver (Vinyl, Album)   Dunhill, Dunhill 1972
Stars Of The Sixties Mamas & Papas (LP, Comp)   ABC Records 1972
20 Golden Hits (Comp) (7 versions)   Dunhill Records ... 1973
California Dreamin' / Twelve Thirty (7")   Roulette Records 1973
The Mamas' & Papas' Greatest Hits (2xLP)   Pickwick 1975
Pop Chronik (2xLP, Comp)   ABC Records 1976
Four Tracks From Mamas & Papas (12")   ABC Records 1977
16 Of Their Greatest Hits (Comp) (7 versions)   MCA Records ... 1980
20 Greatest Hits (LP)   Music For Pleasure 1980
California Dreamin' / Twelve Thirty (7")   MCA Records 1980
California Dreamin' / Monday Monday (7", Single)   Old Gold (2) 1982
The Best Of (Comp) (2 versions)   MCA Records 1982
The History Of Rock - Volume Thirteen (2xLP, Comp)   Orbis 1983
Monday, Monday / Look Through My Window (7", RE)   Roulette Records 1984
California Dreamin' (Cass)   MCA Special Markets & Products 1987
California Dreamin' - 16 Original Superhits Of The 60's (CD)   Duchesse Compact Disc 1988
The Collection (CD, Comp)   Castle Communications 1988
The Very Best Of The Mamas And The Papas (CD, Comp, RM)   Pickwick (UK) 1988
Hits Of Gold (CD, Comp)   MCA Records 1990
Classic (CD)   MCA Records 1991
The Collection (CD, Comp)   MCA Records 1991
Daydream - The Famous Hits Of (CD, Comp)   MCA Records 1992
Dream A Little Dream Of Me (CD, Maxi)   MCA Records 1992
The Best Of The Mamas & The Papas (CD, Comp)   MCA Records 1995
California Dreamin (CD, Single)   MCA Records 1997
Greatest Hits - 18 Great Songs Of Peace (CD)   Universal Music (Sweden) 1997
The Mamas & The Papas And Friends - Greatest Hits (CD, Comp)   Universal Music (Denmark) 1997
Greatest Hits (Comp) (2 versions)   MCA Records 1998
The Best Of The Mamas & The Papas (CD, Comp)   Prism Leisure 1998
The Mamas & The Papas Deliver / The Papas & The Mamas (CD)   BGO Records 1999
California Dreamin' (CD, Comp)   Universe (2) 2001
California Dreamin' (DVD)   Falcon Neue Medien 2005
Gold (2xCD, Comp, RM)   Geffen Records 2005
California Dreamin' (CD, Comp)   Red Onion Records 2007
20 Greatest Hits (Cass)   MCA Records Ltd.  
Best Of The Mamas & The Papas - California Dreamin' (LP)   Sounds Superb  
Best Of The Mamas & The Papas - Monday Monday (LP)   Music For Pleasure  
California Dreamin' (LP)   Pickwick  
California Dreamin' (7")   RCA Victor  
Dancing Bear / John's Music Box (7")   RCA Victor  
Dedicated To The One I Love (7")   RCA Victor  
Monday, Monday / Words Of Love (7")   Collectables  
Portrait Of The Mamas & The Papas (LP, Comp)   Probe, EMI-Bovema Holland  
Straight Shooter (7")   RCA Victor  
The Best Of (LP)   Arcade Records (UK) Ltd  
The Best Of The Mama's & Papa's (LP, Comp)   Stateside  
The Best Of The Mamas & Papas (Cass)   Trent Records  
The Best Of The Mamas & Papas (LP)   Trent Records  
Remixes:
Europa Europa (Remixes) (12", Maxi) Europa Europa (Back To... Dance Pollution 1996
Appears On:
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away (7") You've Got To Hide You... RCA Victor 1966
Flipside Vinyl Fanzine Vol. 3 (LP, Comp) California Dreamin Weird System 1989
Awake The Machines - On The Line Vol. 2 (2xCD, Comp) California Dreamin Out Of Line, Out Of Line, Sub/Mission Records 1997
Whore Damage (CD, Album) California Dreaming, C... Tinman 1997
Tracks Appear On:
93/KHJ: "Sound Of The Sixties" (2xLP) Monday, Monday Pacer 1970
WOR FM 98.7: Solid Gold (2xLP) Monday, Monday Post Records 1970
Goud Van Out (LP) California Dreaming EMI-Bovema Holland 1971
Spirit Of Rock (The Probe Family Sampler) (LP, Comp) Go Where You Wanna Go Music For Pleasure 1972
Spirit Of Rock (The Probe Family Sampler) (LP, Comp) Go Where You Wanna Go Music For Pleasure 1972
44 Golden Hits Of The Sixties (2xLP) Monday Monday Ronco, Ronco, Ronco 1974
Radio Veronica 40 All Time Greatest Hits - Period 1964-1974 (2xLP) Monday, Monday K-Tel International (Holland) B.V., K-Tel International (Holland) B.V. 1974
Rock-Oldies (2xLP, Comp) Monday, Monday Sparkasse, Sparkasse, Sparkasse, Sparkasse 1974
Stardust 44 Original Hits From The Sound Track Of The Film (2xLP, Comp, Mono, Gat) Monday Monday Ronco 1974
Stardust (2xLP, Comp) Monday Monday EMI ITALIANA S.p.A. 1975
K-Tel's Pop Gold (LP, Comp) Monday Monday K-Tel International GmbH, K-Tel International GmbH 1976
Super Gold (LP, Comp) Monday Monday K-Tel International (Holland) B.V. 1976
(G)oldies (LP, Comp) Monday, Monday ABC Records, Ariola Eurodisc Benelux B.V. 1977
America's Greatest Hits (2xLP, Smplr, Gat) California Dreamin' Super Beeb Records 1978
Oldies 50/60 - A Collection Of Classics (2xLP, Comp, Fol) California Dreamin' Carrere, Carrere, ABC Records, ABC Records 1978
Summer Love (LP, Comp) California Dreamin' Arcade 1979
Good Morning America (LP) Dedicated To The One I... K-Tel 1980
Heroes Of Rock'n Roll (LP) I Saw Her Again Last N... MCA Records 1980
Heroes Of Rock'n Roll Vol. 2 (LP) Twelve-Thirty MCA Records 1980
The American Dream - Great Folk-Songs And Ballads (LP, Comp, Mono) Monday Monday, Califor... K-Tel International GmbH 1980
Diamond Collection Vol. 7 - Love Remembered (2xLP, Comp) Dedicated To The One I... Arcade 1982
Remember The 60's (Volume 2) (2xLP, Comp) Monday, Monday Arcade 1983
Remember... A Collection Of Pop Memories (2xLP, Comp) California Dreamin' Cambra 1983
Sunny Afternoon (LP, Comp) Monday Monday, Dedicat... Impression records 1983
Remember The 60's (Volume 4) (2xLP) I Saw Her Again (Last ... Arcade 1984
San Francisco Dreams (LP, Comp) California Dreamin' K-Tel International GmbH 1984
Good Feeling Music Of The Big Chill Generation (LP) California Dreamin' Motown 1985
Baby Boomer Classics - Pop Sixties (LP, Comp) Monday Monday Trax Music 1986
Keep On Rockin' (4xLP, Comp) Monday, Monday Warner 1986
Now - The Summer Album (2xLP) California Dreamin' EMI Records, Virgin 1986
Sixties Mania (2xLP, Comp) Monday Monday Telstar 1986
Classic Rock - 1966 (CD, Comp) Monday, Monday Time Life Music, Warner Special Products 1987
Summer Of Love (2xLP) Twelve Thirty (Young G... Rhino Entertainment Company 1987
The Summer Album (2xLP, Comp, Fol) Monday Monday Arcade 1987
Baby Boomer Classics - The Sixties (Volume 2) (CD) Monday Monday Trax Music, Trax Music 1988
Classic Rock - 1966: The Beat Goes On (CD, Comp) California Dreamin' Time Life Music, Warner Special Products 1988
Classic Rock - 1967 (CD) Dedicated To The One I... Time Life Music, Warner Special Products 1988
20 Years Of No.1 Hits: 1956 - 1975 (4xCD, Comp, Rem) Monday, Monday Reader's Digest, BMG Music Canada Inc. 1989
20 Years Of Solid Gold Groups: 1960 - 1979 (4xCD, Comp, RM) California Dreamin' Reader's Digest 1989
25 Jaar Top 40 Hits - Deel 1 - 1965-1968 (2 versions) Monday Monday Edison 1989
Classic Rock - 1967: Shakin' All Over (CD, Comp) Creeque Alley Time Life Music, Warner Special Products 1989
Flower Power (2xLP, Comp) California Dreamin', M... CBS 1989
Flower Power (2xCD, Smplr) California Dreamin', M... CBS 1989
Ohrwürmer (Präsentiert Von Helmut Rademacher) (2xCD) Monday, Monday Polyphon 1989
*West* Coast (LP, Comp) Monday Monday Warner Bros. Records 1990
16 Original World Hits - California Dreamin' (CD, Comp) California Dreamin' MCA Records, MCA Records 1990
AM Gold 1966 (CD, Comp) California Dreamin' Time Life Music 1990
AM Gold 1967 (CD) Dedicated To The One I... Time Life Music, Warner Special Products 1990
California Clan - Dream Songs From The Golden State (CD, Comp) California Dreamin' Edel Company 1990
Classic Rock - 1966: Blowin' Your Mind (CD, Comp) I Saw Her Again Last N... Time Life Music, Warner Special Products 1990
Classic Rock - 1967: Blowin' Your Mind (CD) Words Of Love Time Life Music, Warner Special Products 1990
De Pre Historie 1966 (CD) Monday Monday BMG Ariola Belgium NV/SA 1990
The Summer Of Love (CD, Comp) California Dreaming, M... Dino Entertainment 1990
22 Hits From The Sixties - Born To Be Wild (CD, Comp) Monday, Monday, Creequ... Movieplay (2) 1991
Flower Power- Happy Hippie Hits (CD, Smplr) California Dreamin' Pulsar (2) 1991
Vragen Staat Vrij (5xCD) Monday Monday Reader's Digest 1991
25 Rock Revival Juke Box Greats Volume 5 (CD, Comp) Monday, Monday Quality Special Products 1992
Good Morning Vietnam Vol. 1 (CD) California Dreamin' Disky 1992
Good Morning Vietnam Vol. 2 (CD) Monday Monday Disky 1992
Heart Rock Vol. 4 - Rock Für's Herz (2xCD, Comp) Dream A Little Dream O... BMG Ariola München GmbH 1992
Hit Parade International 4/92 (2 versions) Dream A Little Dream O... Top 13 Music-Club 1992
Hits 92 International (2xCD, Comp) Dream A Little Dream O... Ariola, BMG Ariola Media GmbH 1992
Loco X La Tele (CD, Comp) California Dreamin' RCA 1992
Magical History Tour 1 - Baby I Need Your Lovin' (CD, Comp) Monday, Monday Bellaphon 1992
The Monterey International Pop Festival (4xCD, Comp) Straight Shooter, Got ... Rhino Records (2), Rhino Records (2) 1992
To The One I Love (CD, Comp) Dedicated To The One I... Movieplay Portuguesa 1992
De Pre Historie 1966 Vol. 2 (CD) California Dreamin' EVA Belgium 1993
De Pre Historie 1967 Vol. 2 (CD, Comp) Dedicated To The One I... EVA Belgium 1993
Dream On (Cass) Monday, Monday Ariola Express 1993
Mockin' Bird Hill And Other Songs Known From The TV Commercials (CD, Comp) California Dreamin' Movieplay Portuguesa 1993
Nothing Compares To Music (CD) Words Of Love Movieplay (2) 1993
When A Man...Loco X La Tele Vol. 2 (CD, Comp) Dream A Little Dream O... RCA 1993
Florida Lady - Original Soundtrack (CD) Dream A Little Dream O... Jupiter Records 1994
Forrest Gump - The Soundtrack (Comp) (4 versions) California Dreamin' Epic Soundtrax ... 1994
Het Grote Radio-Verzoekprogramma (5xCD) I Saw Her Again Last N... Reader's Digest 1994
Mega Jukebox Top 100 (4xCD) California Dreaming Arcade 1994
Pure Pop (CD, Comp) I Saw Her Again Fat Boy Records (2) 1994
Surf- Und Sommerhits (CD, Smplr) California Dreaming Extra Records & Tapes 1994
Toi & Moi - Les Plus Beaux Slows - Volume 6 (CD) Monday Monday Paradiso 1994
Welthits Der Werbung (CD, Comp) Dream A Little Dream O... Edelton 1994
25 Oldies Best Vol. 10 (CD, Comp) Go Where You Wanna Go ... Selected Sound Carrier AG 1995
25 Rolling Oldies Vol. 1 (CD, Comp) Dream A Little Dream O... Selected Sound Carrier AG 1995
25 Rolling Oldies Vol. 2 (CD, Comp) Straight Shooter (Live) Selected Sound Carrier AG 1995
25 Rolling Oldies Vol. 3 (CD, Comp) Creeque Alley (Live) Selected Sound Carrier AG 1995
Apollo 13 - Music From The Motion Picture (2xCD, Album) Dream A Little Dream O... MCA Soundtracks 1995
Chungking Express (CD, Comp, Promo) California Dreamin' A-R-P Caractères 1995
Gegen Den Wind - Der Soundtrack Zur Gleichnamigen ARD Vor Acht-Serie (Cass, Comp) Dream A Little Dream O... EMI Electrola, EMI Electrola GmbH 1995
Let's Dance (CD, Comp) Monday Monday Delta Music 1995
Most Wanted Movie Hits (2xCD) Dream A Little Dream PolyGram Records A.S. (Denmark) 1995
Otto - Die Song-Collection Herbst/Winter 1995/96 (2xCD) Monday Monday Polystar Records 1995
The Love Song Collection 4 (2xCD, Comp) Dream A Little Dream O... The Record Collection 1995
Cruisin' 1966 - Pat O'Day - KJR, Seattle (CD) California Dreamin' Increase Records 1996
Der "Alte Ami" Rik DeLisle Präsentiert: Das Große Super-Oldies-Paket (4xCD) California Dreaming (L... Selected Sound Carrier AG, Selected Sound Carrier AG, Selected Sound Carrier AG, Selected Sound Carrier AG 1996
Good Morning Vietnam (2 versions) California Dreamin', M... Disky 1996
History 1967 (CD, Album, Smplr) Dedicated To The One I... BMG 1996
I Love Rock & Roll: Hits Of The 60's -- Volume Two (CD) Monday, Monday Priority Records 1996
Lost And Found 1962-1969 (2xCD, Comp) California Dreamin' EMI Svenska AB 1996
Music From and Inspired By The Motion Picture Beautiful Thing (CD) Creeque Alley, Dream A... MCA Soundtracks 1996
The Best Sixties Album In The World...Ever! II (2xCD, Comp) Dedicated To The One I... Virgin, Circa Records Ltd. 1996
50 Soft Goldies (2xCD, Comp) Monday Monday Selected Sound Carrier AG 1997
Classics (12") California Dreamin' Films Casual Records 1997
The Best Sixties Album In The World...Ever! III (2xCD, Comp) California Dreamin' Virgin, Circa Records Ltd. 1997
The Monterey International Pop Festival June 16-17-18 1967 (Box + 4xCD, Comp, RE) Straight Shooter, Got ... Castle Communications, Essential 1997
Villa Wahnsinn Vol. 5 (CD, Comp) California Dreamin' Blue Martin Records 1997
100% Summer Mix 98 (2xCD, Mixed, Comp) California Dreamin' Telstar TV 1998
40 Hits Of 1965 - 1969 (2xCD) California Dreamin', M... Disky 1998
De Mooiste Slows Van Allemaal - 4 (2xCD) California Dreamin', D... BR Music 1998
Mai 68 Trente Ans Déjà (CD) California Dreaming BMG (France) 1998
Mega 60 - Jukebox Collection (4xCD, Comp) California Dreaming, M... Wagram 1999
The All Time Greatest Movie Songs Vol. 1 (2 versions) Dream A Little Dream O... Columbia 1999
The Millenium's Greatest Hits Volume 2 (CD, Comp) California Dreamin' Collectables 1999
Flower Power & Woodstock Generation (4xCD, Comp) Dancing In The Street,... Universe (2) 2000
Girl, Interrupted - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (CD, Comp) Got A Feelin' TVT Soundtrax, BMG 2000
Strange Daze - The Psychadelic Sixties (CD) Straight Shooter (Live) Dressed To Kill 2000
100% Ohrwürmer (2 versions) Monday Monday Falcon Neue Medien 2001
California Dreaming (CD, Comp) Dream A Little Dream O... BMG Ariola Miller GmbH, Tchibo 2001
Memories Of The 60's (CD, Comp) Monday Monday Legacy Entertainment Inc. 2001
Simply The Best 60s (2xCD) California Dreamin' Warner Music (Argentina) 2001
Singers And Songwriters - 1965-1969 (2xCD) Monday Monday, I Saw H... Time Life Music 2001
Summer Cruisin' (2xCD, Comp) California Dreamin' Edel Records 2001
Woodstock • The Love And Peace Generation (2xCD, Comp) Monday, Monday, Califo... Falcon Neue Medien 2001
FlowerPower Generation (CD, Comp) California Dreaming BMG (Netherlands) 2002
I'm Not In Love (CD) Dedicated To The One I... Huh Records 2002
Music Of The Millennium III (2xCD, Comp, Ltd) California Dreaming Universal International Music BV 2002
Movies (3xCD, Comp) California Dreaming ("... Universal International Music BV 2003
Schmusenacht Vol. 2 (CD, Comp) Monday Monday Global Arts 2003
The Best Of Beat (DVD, 4:3) Dedicated To The One I... Planet Song 2003
The Get Easy! Sunshine Pop Collection (2xCD, Comp) People Like Us Universal Jazz (Germany) 2003
Essential Easy (2xCD) Monday Morning X-Media 2004
Make Love Not War (CD, Comp) California Dreamin' Falcon Neue Medien 2004
Se Og Hør Gjør Sommeren Gladere! (CD, Comp, Promo, Car) California Dreamin' Universal Music (Norway) 2004
Sixties (CD, Comp) Monday, Monday Universal International Music BV 2004
Sixties & Seventies Legends (12xCD, Comp, RE + Box) California Dreamin' Musicbank Records Ltd. 2004
Summer In The Sixties (2xCD) California Dreaming EMI Music (New Zealand) 2004
Super Evergreens 2 (3xCD) Monday Monday Magic Productions 2004
The Trip Created By Saint Etienne (Comp) (2 versions) Shooting Star Family Recordings (UK) 2004
X-Mix Dance Series 78 (CD, Comp) A Loneliness Dream X-Mix 2004
Capital Gold Summer Legends (2xCD, Comp) California Dreamin' Virgin, EMI Records 2005
Here Comes The Sun (CD) Shooting Star Q Magazine 2005
The Thrill Of Colette (CD) Shooting Star Colette 2005
Dzieci Kwiaty (CD, Comp) California Dreamin' Universal Music Polska 2006
Fabryki Przebojów (CD, Comp) Spanish Harlem Universal Music Polska 2006
Happy Valentine (CD, Comp) Dream A Little Dream O... Brunswick News, Universal Strategic Marketing (Germany) 2006
I Like Mondays (CD, Comp) Monday Monday HearDis! Corporate Sound GmbH 2006
Piosenki Beatlesów (CD, Comp) I Call Your Name Universal Music Polska 2006
Trubadurzy Rocka (CD, Comp) I Call Your Name Universal Music Polska 2006
Woodstock I Inne Przystanki (CD, Comp) Dancing In The Street Universal Music Polska 2006
Tears (CD, Comp, Promo) California Dreamin' USM Japan 2007
Hits Aus 60 Jahren (3xCD, Comp, Dig) California Dreamin' Brunswick News, Universal Strategic Marketing (Germany) 2008
The Best Hits 100 Super 60's (5xCD, Comp + Box) California Dreamin', M... Universal Music K.K. 2008
Unforgettable (2xCD, Comp) Dream A Little Dream O... Universal International Music BV 2008
40 Gouden Nummer 1 Hits (Comp) (2 versions) Monday, Monday EMI Music (Netherlands)  
American Dream (LP) Monday Monday K-Tel International (NZ) Ltd.  
Coast To Coast (CD) California Dreamin' Sabam Crescendo  
Commercials (CD) Dream A Little Dream O... Deshima Music  
Golden Love Songs (CD) Monday Monday Mega Sound  
Lonely Without You 3 - 32 Everlasting Love Songs (2xCD) Monday Monday Paradiso  
Milestones (4xCD, Comp) California Dreamin', C... JM Sontel  
Sixities Freedom (CD, Comp) I Saw Her Again Wisepack  
Summertime - Die Power-Grillparty (3xCD, Comp) California Dreamin' Not On Label  
Super-Rock-Oldies (LP, Comp) Monday, Monday Not On Label  
The Best Of Woodstock And Flower Power (CD, Comp) California Dreamin' Eurotrend  
The California Sound Of The 60's (LP, Comp) California Dreaming Flash  
The California Sound Of The 60's (2 versions) California Dreaming Scana  
The Good Collection From 1950-1960 Vol. 2 (2xLP, Comp) Creeque Alley, Califor... ABC Records, Carrere  
The Midnight Hour: The 20 Sexiest Hits Of All Time (CD) Dream A Little Dream O... Not On Label  
The Story Of Pop (LP, Comp) Monday, Monday ABC Records  
The Very Best Of Remember Sl♥ws (2xCD) Monday, Monday Paradiso  
Top 100 Gold - Volume 3 (CD) California Dreamin' Jam Records (4)  
Total Relaxed (2xCass) Dream A Little Dream O... Polystar Records  
Undersound / Uppersoul (2xLP, Comp) Dedicated To The One I... Stateside  
Unofficial Releases:
Evergreen Collection Volume 1 (12", Ltd) California Dreamin' Not On Label 2005
The Best Of 60's Vol. 2 (12", Comp, Ltd, Maxi, Promo) Monday, Monday D.J. Mix Club  
The Best Of The 60's (CD, Comp) Dedicated To The One I... Diamond Sound, Diamond Sound  
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Dream A Little Dream Of Me - The Mamas & The Papas
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Reviews & Discussion

Review by trashcanasian Oct 20, 2009
The Mamas and the Papas were the royal family of American rock-not because their music kept growing and progressing to plateau after plateau of greatness (it didn't), but because they were the first, with the Spoonful, of the big American groups, the first, that is, since the Beatles. Besides, they looked regal. John Phillips, tall and stately, looked like Everyking, Cass Elliot, majestic earth mother, like Everyqueen, and Michelle and Denny the essence of princehood and princeshood. they came to us, that dreary winter of 1965-66, singing that all the leaves were brown and the sky was grey and that it was a good time to dream of California. Until then, everything new and interesting and commercially successful (all those things can go hand in hand) was English and had been since 1964 and the Beatles. Then, with the Mamas and the Papas, the spotlight that had been fixed so firmly on Liverpool and London suddenly swiveled over to America (and caught the Spoonful's Daydream as well). America had had dylan, of course, but not a group scene with any sort of style, and nothing like those first three singles the Mamas and the Papas brought out in less than a year.
The story of the group was new then, though by 1968 there must have been a thousand groups that told variants of it. They came out of the Village folk scene that had developed around Dylan and those who followed him. Cass had been with groups before (the Mugwumps and the Big Three), but these were not particularly successful. As the Mamas and the Papas told it, the four had met in the Virgin Islands, where there was not too much more to do than sing, but still the blend was not quite perfect till a piece of piping fell on Cass and changed her voice. Back in California the sound impressed people in the business who, having made one adjustment already to English moptops, found it difficult to readjust their vision to this motley quartet. The word "hippie" was not then in common use, but the concept existed. Groups in beards and boots and funny hats and strange drag were still new at the end of 1966 and not the cliché they became in 1968. The way this group looked, once the music business got over the shock of it all, was a novelty and very promotable. And the Mamas and the Papas were a sensation musically, visually and commercially. And what was really exciting was that they managed to establish the fact there was an American scene. This was America's answer to the British invasion. Because of all this, it's quite incidental that the Mamas and the Papas never did live up to the glorious promise of their first year and that although every album they did sold, by the time they got their fourth, in 1967, they just couldn't do it, couldn't put out another bland, predictable, salable, repetitive product. So in the middle of it all, in the middle of the taping, they just cut out, splitting to England and Europe to clear their heads and rethink their music and their lives, and give themselves a rest. It was a case of too much too soon-too much work, too much touring, too much freshness expected of them and too much too think about. No one really minded. Everyone understood. By 1968 Cass decided she wanted to sing solo. They had never intended to stay together any longer anyway, they all said. John Phillips, particularly, wanted to be so much a performer as a writer, producer and discoverer of talent. Always there was much more to say about the Mamas and the Papas than the sweet-sad harmonies and the number one hits. They really were the first hippies to make it big and strike it rich, living in luxury in Bel Air and setting a bad example for the neighbors. Later, when other hippie groups made it, it no longer seemed unusual. But it was the Mamas and the Papas who established the precedent.

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