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WHO | HONOREE  “Mama” Cass Elliot                             

EMCEE Lupita Sanchez Cornejo, Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

GUEST SPEAKERS Michelle Phillips, John Sebastian, Owen Elliot-Kugell, and Leah Kunkel

WHAT  Dedication of the 2,735th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

WHEN  Monday, October 3, at 11:30 AM PT

WHERE  7065 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028

 

 

Singer “Mama” Cass Elliot was honored posthumously today with the 2,735th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 3, at 11:30 a.m. Star is located at 7065 Hollywood Boulevard. Elliot was awarded the star in the category of Recording.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has proudly hosted the globally iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame since 1960. The Chamber exists to transform business and improve lives. Through the Walk of Fame, the Chamber celebrates the business that transforms us all – the business of entertainment.  Entertainment is a unique blend of art and enterprise: elevating and inspiring us all.

 

ABOUT OUR HONOREES

“Mama” Cass Elliot, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, was a staple during the 60’s and 70’s. Her music spoke to the people and her songs have become some of the most beloved of all time.”  Stated Walk of Fame Producer, Ana Martinez. “We are proud to add this exemplary talent to our Walk of Fame.” added Martinez.

Joining emcee Lupita Sanchez Cornejo for the star unveiling were Michelle Phillips and John Sebastian.  The star was accepted on behalf of “Mama” Cass by her daughter, Owen Elliot-Kugell and Elliot’s sister, Leah Kunkel. This special ceremony was sponsored by City National Bank.

Cass Elliot, best known as “Mama Cass” of the pop-rock group The Mamas & the Papas, was a standout talent of the 1960’s and 70’s. A pioneer pop-culture feminist and icon, she was one of the greatest singers of her generation, and the powerhouse voice behind hit songs “California Dreamin’”, “Monday, Monday”, and “Dream a Little Dream of Me” songs which defined a new musical era by blending the genres of folk, rock, and pop into a trademark sound.

Born Ellen Naomi Cohen on September 19th, 1941, Cass Elliot developed an impeccable intuition for great music. Finding her way through the 60’s folk-rock scene, Cass would go on to become one of the defining voices of the counterculture movement, and later, a beloved fixture on American television.  

Cass’s first love was the theater. However, in 1962, she traded show tunes for folk songs and moved to Washington D.C., where she found her place as the bold female harmony in the folk group The Big 3. Her enduring creativity followed her across her subsequent career with the Mugwumps, when at the height of Beatlemania, their record label wanted to cut her out of the group. Instead of dumping her, the group decided to disband rather than leave their cornerstone vocalist behind. By 1964, Cass had earned her place as a member of The New Journeymen, where she banded together with John and Michelle Phillips, and former Mugwumps vocalist Denny Doherty. Once Cass had joined, they renamed themselves The Mamas & the Papas.

The Mamas & the Papas were flung into the spotlight, receiving rapid commercial success following the release of “California Dreamin’”, their first single, in late 1965. The song ended up becoming the #1 Billboard year-end Hot 100 single of 1966. Other top ten hits included the Grammy® winning “Monday, Monday”, “Creeque Alley”, and “Dedicated to the One I Love”. Their first concert was held at the Hollywood Bowl, and the band went on to close the Monterey International Pop festival in 1967, alongside acts such as Jefferson Airplane, The Who, Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix.