While The Mamas & The Papas were only together a few years, the iconic music that was made and the drama that ensued between this foursome in that short time is legendary. But what happened before John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Cass Elliot, and Denny Doherty all came together? Each had their own unique journey before ultimately heading west and making California Dreamin’ a reality. My guest, author Richard Campbell, wrote a compelling book, ‘Gettin’ Kinda Itchie: The Groups That Made The Mamas and The Papas.’ It’s a prequel to this fabulous foursome's success as a group. As a close friend to the band and the “keeper of the flame,” as Michelle Phillips affectionately calls him, Richard brings us into John, Michelle, Denny, and Cass’ worlds with stories, photos, and rare album covers.

In this episode, you’ll hear out-of-print songs from their previous bands - The Journeymen, The Mugwumps, and The Big 3 - songs that Richard has compiled on YouTube and Spotify. We’ll discuss their individual journeys as they strove to make a mark in the thriving East folk scene and how the four ultimately came together in the U.S. Virgin Islands and shortly after, found themselves in LA. 

So, let’s take a trip back to the early 60s when folk was thriving, Kennedy was alive and well and these 4 individuals were slogging it out on the East Coast in hopes of one day hitting it big.

Songs in this episode (in order):

“Creeque Alley” The Mamas & the Papas

“Chase the Rising Sun” The Journeymen

“The Banjo Song” - The Big 3

“Do You Know What I Mean” - The Mugwumps

“Mr Tambourine Man” - The New Journeymen

“California Dreamin’” - The Mamas & the Papas

Links to Richard Campell’s channels:

www.gettinkindaitchie.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThemusicofGettinKindaItc-tb7lu/playlists

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0gCs3dADXDMlSTinWFlLop?si=21406369c83e4bee&nd=1&dlsi=f6042ae5ddc94e78

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