Historical Figure
Cass Elliot
d. 1974
American singer (1941–1974)
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Biography
Ellen Naomi Cohen, known professionally by the stage name Cass Elliot, was an American singer-songwriter, comedian, actress, and television personality. A member of the singing group The Mamas & the Papas (1965–68), she was also known as "Mama Cass", a name she reportedly disliked. After the group broke up, Elliot released five solo albums. She received the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary (R&R) Performance for "Monday, Monday" (1967). In 1998, she was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for her work with The Mamas & the Papas.
In Their Own Words (5)
Let's take the people who have latent thoughts about maybe the United States isn't always right. They hear a song like "Give a Damn" and maybe it'll awaken them. If it makes you cross that bridge between apathy and effective participation, that's great. There's so much talk about the Drug Generation and songs about drugs. That's stupid. They aren't songs about drugs; they're about life. Music can play a huge part, because it's the international communicative force.
The reference to "Give a Damn" could be to a song by Spanky & Our Gang or a subsequent song of the same title by Paul Stookey. , 1968
I don't think it's so important who you vote for — you vote for who you believe in. The important thing is to vote, because it's our way and it's the best way.
Appearance on The Midnight Special in August 1972 in a Get Out The Vote drive; as quoted at the official Cass Elliot website. , 1972
My advice is precisely the advice my mother gave me. If you believe you have talent, the next thing you must have is determination. If you keep working, keep striving, and try always to move forward a little bit with every job you do, you’ll eventually make it. And I believe that!
As quoted in "Twenty Questions for Mama Cass" by Frederick Todd in American Girl magazine (June 1970) , 1970
Our job as entertainers is to ease some pain. So to begin with, you have to know what and where the pain is. I've never campaigned before and I wanted to be damn sure before putting my name behind anyone. I wrote to all the campaign officers to find out what they were. My issue is that it's all very well to sit back and complain but when it's your country you have a responsibility.
Statement in Spring of 1972, while participating in the presidential campaign of George McGovern; as quoted at the official Cass Elliot website. , 1972
I hated it. Everybody'd say, "Hey, mama, what's happening?" Then came the Mamas and Papas and I was stuck with it. And now people call me Mama Cass because of the baby. So I don't know whether I'm gonna be able to really get away from it.
On her dislike of being called "Mama" Cass. , 1968
Timeline
The story of Cass Elliot, told in moments.
Born Ellen Naomi Cohen in Baltimore to a family of Russian-Jewish immigrants. Adopted the stage name Cass Elliot. Hated being called "Mama Cass."
Joined The Mamas & the Papas. John Phillips initially didn't want her in the group. Legend has it a pipe fell on her head and extended her vocal range, though she called that story nonsense.
"Monday, Monday" hit No. 1 and won a Grammy. "California Dreamin'" became an anthem of the 1960s counterculture. The group sold millions.
Went solo after The Mamas & the Papas broke up. She released five albums and became a popular TV presence, hosting her own television special.
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