Cass Elliot • Dream A Litlte Dream of Me

The amazing Cass Elliot, often called Mama Cass from her days with the 1960s supergroup The Mams and The Papas, recorded "Dream A Little Dream of Me" both with the group, as well as for her 1968 solo album of the same name. The song, with music by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt and lyrics by Gus Kahn, was first recorded by Ozzie Nelson in 1931. Cass had a voice that was so rich, with an amazing tone, it was no surprise she was destined to be a star. This is a clip of her singing "Dream A Little Dream of Me" on the 'Smothers Brothers Show'.

While Cass was certainly an amazing talent, she was also often mocked for her weight. In fact, that continued well after her death. Not long after Cass had died, rumor and speculation was rife with stories about how she had choked on a ham sandwich, which she was eating in bed. Despite the fact that the coroner's report stated that a heart attack was the cause of death and no food was found in her windpipe, the lie continued. Honestly, it is not like you would have that rumor when a supermodel passes, would you? You can purchase 'Dream A Little Dream: The Cass Elliot Collection' from iTunes and Amazon. It is a collection of her greatest hits, some excellent music, to be sure!

Fall Is Here - Mamas & the Papas

Long before there were revelations about the twisted relationship between John Phillips and his daughter Mackenzie, there was the Mamas & the Papas, one of the defining groups to deliver a West Coast sound to pop music in the 60s. They pretty much defined the hippie movement and the San Fransisco sound for many. The sound was bright and fresh, with an intelligence to the lyrics not often seen on Top 40 radio. And this song defines the music of autumn.



The Mamas & the Papas were together for just 3 years, from 1965 to 1968. They were John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, 'Mama' Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty. My favorite song of theirs was Creeque Alley, an amazing song wirtten about the folk scene in music at the time.

The Mamas and the Papas - Creeque Alley
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Cass Elliot had one of the most identifiable and gorgeous voice in music at the time. It was so very sad she died in 1974, before she could leave a greater library of music for the world. Even sadder was the rumor-turned-fact-that's-false of how she died. Cass died of heart failure, although the lies about her choking on a ham sandwich persist to this day.