Dream a Little Dream of Me: The Life of Cass Elliot - Hardcover

Fiegel, Eddi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1556525885 ISBN 13: 9781556525889

Publisher: Chicago Review Press, 2005

Synopsis

This insightful biography examines the life and music of Cass Elliot-—better known as "Mama Cass"—the instantly recognizable face of the Mamas and the Papas. Untangling the truth about Cass's life, this book follows her development from her misfit teenage years to her part in the folk boom of the early 1960s. How Cass came to join the Mamas and the Papas, and the mix of love, hurt, and betrayal that fractured relationships within the group is central to the story as Cass is driven to strike out on a successful solo career. This account reveals the considerable unhappiness Cass experienced that was hidden by her jovial facade—her unrequited love for Papa Denny Doherty, her unhappy marriages and affairs, and her tragic death at age 32. Featuring interviews with many of Cass's close friends, colleagues, and relatives, this account explores the woman behind the uniquely tender voice that dominated the Mamas and the Papas's timeless hits like "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday." Her charisma, wit, charm, and psychedelic persona marked her as a pop star who refused to conform to traditional female stereotypes, and became a success on her own terms.

About this title

About the Author

Eddi Fiegel is a freelance writer and broadcaster. She is a regular contributor to the BBC, the Guardian, the Independent, Mojo, and the Sunday Times. She is well known for her interviews with artists from across the musical spectrum, including David Bowie, Phillip Glass, Paul McCartney, and k. d. lang. She is the author of John Barry: A Sixties Theme.

From Publishers Weekly

"Mama" Cass Elliot is often remembered jokingly as the fat female singer from 1960s pop group the Mamas and the Papas who choked to death on a ham sandwich. Through an impressive array of interviews with friends, family and musicians, Fiegel sets out to show Elliot was much more: a role model for obese women, a talented performer and a queen socialite among the elite songwriters of her time who, had it not been for her death at the age of 32 (which was from a heart attack, not the fabled ham sandwich), would have reached further echelons of fame. At times slow and repetitive, this is best suited for die-hard Mamas and the Papas fans. Fiegel has done her homework; she speaks with seemingly everybody who knew Elliot and examines nearly every step of her personal life and career, from her displaced childhood to her years as a star musician with insecurities about her weight and appearance. The bulk of the book concentrates on Elliot's life after gaining success, thankfully, since much of her childhood was uneventful. Written in a straight-forward, journalistic style, the book is both comprehensive and accessible. Photos.
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Edition details

• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1556525885
• ISBN 13: 9781556525889
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 416