Down to one Mama
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.
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
January 20th, 2007 at 1:00 am
Thanks a million Denny for the great music you gave us…the 60’s were great…we loved you all and will never forget….rest in peace…
January 20th, 2007 at 10:11 am
All the leaves will not be as brown today.
Williams Brother
January 20th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
WILLIAMS BROTHER!!!!! HA!
Just last night my kids and I were on my bed after stories singing California Dreamin’ My littlest one does the little “side” parts which is so awesome. I should record it.
January 20th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
I was talking to my 22-year-old employee, and she was, as usual, calling me “old.” But I came back with: “I’d rather have been raised with MY music” than the crap you guys have. (I’m Gen-X all the way.) And she said: “Well, you got me there.”
Ha!
January 20th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Being 32, I have to admit that the music is just not the same as it used to be. I love the group ABBA. Madonna’s version and clip from one of their songs was terrifying. Music is just not what it used to be.
February 3rd, 2007 at 3:04 pm
How we will miss him…
He was working on projects until his last days…
I have made a tribute at http://papa-denny-tribute.spaces.live.com/
Villette
November 19th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
[...] that I was going to play in the talent show and signed up. (This wasn’t the talent show spoken of earlier…that one comes [...]