Fifty years ago today (July 29), the music world lost one of its great voices when “Mama” Cass Elliot died of a heart attack at age 32.
Born Ellen Naomi Cohen, Elliot came to fame as part of the beloved 1960s folk-rock quartet The Mamas & the Papas. The group also featured John Phillips; his wife, Michelle Phillips; and Denny Doherty. Cass general shared lead vocal duties with Doherty, and her voice also was a key element of the group’s strong harmonies.
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Elliot’s vocals were on prominent display on most of The Mamas and the Papa’s biggest hits. They included “California Dreamin’,” “I Saw Her Again,” “Words of Love,” and “Creeque Alley.”
Beyond her impressive singing, Elliott became famous for her quit wit and her larger-than-life personality.
Around time The Mamas and the Papas broke up in 1969, Elliot launched a successful solo career, enjoying a brief run of hits in the late 1960s and early ’70s. She also was starred in a pair of TV variety specials.
Elliot had just completed a successful series of concerts in London when she died in her sleep while staying in an apartment belonging to Harry Nilsson. Cass was inducted posthumously into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Mamas & the Papas in 1998.
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Elliot’s passing, here’s a look at four of her memorable solo hits:
“Dream a Little Dream of Me” (1968)
“Dream a Little Dream of Me” is considered Elliot’s debut solo single, although she recorded the song with The Mamas & the Papas and it was first released on the group’s 1968 studio album The Papas & the Mamas. The jazz-pop tune dated back to 1931 and originally was recorded by Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra.
In June of 1968, with word circulating that The Mamas & the Papas were about to break up, “Dream a Little Dream of Me” was released as a single in the U.S. with the credit reading “Mama Cass with the Mamas & the Papas.” The single’s U.K. release was credited simply to “Mama Cass.”
The song peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 11 in the U.K. It became the title track of Elliot’s debut solo album, which was released in October of ’68.
“It’s Getting Better” (1969)
Elliot’s first solo album following The Mamas & the Papas’ split was Bubblegum, Lemonade, and… Something for Mama, which was released in June 1969.
The record included the upbeat sunshine-pop love song “It’s Getting Better,” penned by the hit-making husband-and-wife songwriting duo of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
The melodic tune is sung by a woman who’s cozy, comfortable romance with a guy is slowly heating up. The song peaked at No. 30 on the Hot 100 and reached No. 8 in the U.K.
“Make Your Own Kind of Music” (1969)
“Make Your Own Kind of Music” is probably Elliot’s best-known solo tune. Another Mann-Weil composition, Cass recorded the song in the summer of 1969.
“Make Your Own Kind of Music” is a soaring pop anthem that encourages people to embrace their individuality and uniqueness. It became Elliot’s final single to reach the Top-40 of the Hot 100, peaking at No. 36.
In November 1969, the song was added to the track list of the Bubblegum, Lemonade, and… Something for Mama and the album was re-released under the moniker Make Your Own Kind of Music.
“New World Coming” (1970)
In November 1970, Elliot released a solo compilation cheekily titled Mama’s Big Ones. The album included several new tunes, among them “New World Coming,” which was issued as a single.
The song, which also was written by Mann and Weil, is a pop ballad that offers an optimistic and peaceful outlook for the future.
“New World Coming” reached No. 42 on the Hot 100, while climbing to No. 4 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.