CALIFORNIA DREAMIN': The True Story of the Mamas and the Papas

by Michelle Phillips ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 27, 1986

An inside look at the rise and the brief reign of the Mamas and the Papas, one of the most successful of the 60's flower children-cum-rock stars. Phillips, the least likely member of the group, having had no musical training whatsoever prior to meeting and marrying John Phillips, nevertheless gives an engaging account--perhaps because in a way she herself embodied the free-and-easy, make-love-not-war style that was the group's hallmark. Following a brief biographical introduction, in which she tells of her Beat upbringing under a Kerouac-type father (his six wives offer a fitting prelude to Michelle's own future adventurous love life), she provides a gossipy, but fairly complete picture of the group's stormy history. Those who tap their fingers to the music of ""Creeque Alley"" can smile knowingly as they plod through the familiar details: McGuin and McGuire, indeed, were gettin' higher, while Mugwumps, high jumps, low slumps, big bumps eventually led to Michelle, John, and Denny gettin' very tuneful, and with Cass, California dreamin' was becoming a reality. Trouble is, Phillips writes like this, cutesily falling back too often on lyrics to make a point and--oh, so often--tritely observing ""it was so beautiful"" or ""very sixties"" or ""so together."" Phillips notes how she once feared that Mama Cass thought her vapid. After reading her literary style, it's no wonder. Several interesting sidelights redeem the reading, though. The conventional tale invented by John of how the group got its name is shown up as fantasy. Michelle claims that it was derived while watching a Hell's Angels member on the Les Crane Show, referring to Angels' women as ""Mamas."" Michelle also confesses to a solitary sexual fling with Denny one night while John and Mama Cass were passed out. The verdict on this book should be suspended, in the short run, until John Phillips has his say in an upcoming autobiography. One almost wishes that Cass Elliott, probably the true intellect of the group, could give a spirit leave to tell her version, particularly of just why Michelle was as suddenly reinstated in the group as she was expelled by her husband.

Pub Date: May 27, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Warner

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1986

Categories: NONFICTION