The Mamas & The Papas - Monday Monday
The Mamas & the Papas - California Dreamin’
Denny Doherty, one of the papas in The Mamas & The Papas finished his journey today. He was only 66.
Their sound is part of the soundtrack of my childhood. He was part of my kids’ childhood soundtrack as the voice of Theodore Tugboat.
One of my earliest musical memories is of a talent show that was put on by the Summer Recreation the park or school district provided. I was probably 6. I think it was the summer between kindergarten and 1st grade so probably the summer of 1968. The “Summer of Love” for those of you who have been living under a rock. Or are too young to pay attention to any history books or programs. Ever.
I played my accordion. “Skater’s Waltz” I think. But some of the cool older kids sang along with records. One was “Monday, Monday” but my favorite was “California Dreamin’” Mostly because the boys that sang with that group were, even to my baby-eyes, super cool. The “Monday, Monday” group didn’t even have any boys singing with them.
Funny what you can remember almost 40 years later.
I’m going to sound really old just now, but I don’t think there are comparable musicians in our society. We aren’t hearing music being made so much for the joy of making music, or the chance to protest something, or change the world. I like a lot of music that’s being made today, I just don’t think there are individuals or groups that are creating a “defining” sound for this generation.
To read an obituary for Denny from the CBC website, click here.
Posted in Denny Doherty, Mamas and Papas, music, obituaries, world news
