I loved reading about the life of Mama Cass! My parents introduced me to the Mama’s and the Papa’s early on in life. Cass was such an amazing woman that we lost too soon. I’m so thankful her daughter decided to share her story with the world. This is a definite read if you’re a Cass Elliot fan!

A beautifully written memoir about Mama Cass by her son. He shares the personal side of her I enjoyed her as part of the legendary Mamas and Poppas and enjoyed getting to know the real person.#netgalley #hatchettebooks

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4

I've always enjoyed some of the Mamas and the Papas hits as a casual fan, owning their Greatest Hits compilation on vinyl, and reading some of their other memoirs. When I saw that "Mama" Cass Elliot's daughter Owen wrote a memoir about her mother, of course I had to read it. Cass died at the age of 32 in 1974 when Owen was just 7 years old.

The book begins on a poignant note with little Owen having the sweetest and most loving exchange with her Mom Cass at the airport. Owen was being sent to stay with family because Cass had a business trip to London. Little did she know that it would be the last time Owen would ever see her mother alive.

I've read John Phillips' and his daughter Mackenzie Phillips' memoirs as well as another recent Mamas and the Papas biography called "All the Leaves are Brown", and I've watched various documentaries- so I was already well-informed on the topic. It was a tad annoying in the first half of the book as Owen recounted her mother's history and kept stating, "Mom must have felt this" and "Mom must have felt that". Having only been 7 years old when she lost her mother , she's obviously relying on a lot of information she's culled over the decades from everyone that knew her Mom. When Owen was just a tot her mother's home in California was a hot refuge and meeting place for other musicians such as Joni Mitchell, Stephen Stills, David Crosby, and Graham Nash (of Crosby, Stills & Nash). In fact, Mama Cass was directly responsible for bringing that trio together! Throughout the book Owen references events and iconic photos, but there were none in my advance reader copy. However, she described them so vividly that I was able to perform internet image searches and see the relevant photos. One particularly haunting photo was a closeup of Owen sitting on her now stepfather's lap in a limo leaving her mother's funeral.

Oddly enough, the book really took off for me after Cass died, as it was so interesting to read about the family fallout after Cass's death and how they all coped- especially Owen. She was friends with the children of Brian Wilson and was originally supposed to be part of what became the successful Wilson Phillips trio (consisting of Wendy and Carnie WIlson and Chynna Phillips). Owen is quite strident in disputing the unattractive legend that her mother died while eating a ham sandwich. Overall this was a worthwhile book to add to the others out there documenting the life of "Mama" Cass Elliot, but also for learning about the daughter Cass left behind whose father was kept a secret.

Thank you to the publisher Hachette Books for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

One of the most enduring legacies of the 1960s is the music. And one of the most memorable and recognizable bands is the Mamas & Papas. Their laid back California dreaming songs, heavy on folk guitar riffs, harmonies, and pleasant lyrics earned them many awards and legions of fans.

Born into a musical family In Baltimore, Maryland in 1941, Ellen Naomi Cohen had already fashioned herself the stage name of Cass Elliot when she was in high school; Cass for Cassandra, her father’s nickname for her, and Elliott in memory of a school friend lost in a car accident. Gifted with a beautiful singing voice, many doors were not open to her because of her weight, a lifelong albatross.

Author Owen Elliott-Kugler wrote her mother’s memoir as a cathartic tribute, a way to connect with the loving mom she lost at the tender age of seven. She brings us through her mother’s struggles and triumphs, and chronicles Cass’s surprising role in the formation of a few of the most iconic folk bands of the day. Cass loved to entertain. Her home in Laurel Canyon was a welcoming gathering place for her many musician friends.

The book is a fast and easy read about not just Cass and the inner dynamics of the Mamas & Papas, but also about the bond the author shared with her mother and her aunt Leah who raised her, and her beloved grandmother Bessie. An upbeat throwback to a happier, hippier time. Recommended!

With thanks to NetGalley, I received an advance review e-copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. (Publication date: May 7, 2024)

This book is wonderful!

I’ve always had a lot of questions about Cass Elliot. This book gave me some of the answers I wanted and so much more.

Way too often in books like the author is wrapped up in some sort of purpose. There’s the “my parent was horrible” group, the “my parent was an absolute perfect person” group, and the “my parent was gone all the time, feel sorry for me” group. This book isn’t in any of those groups, and I’m really happy about that.

Owen goes out of her way to make sure the full story is told. Not just about Cass, but also in the way she tells her story about how she grew up and how she came to handle everything. It's all done in a carefully thought out way, and I hope to read more of her writing someday.

Nothing particularly gossipy, it just isn't that type of book and I was happily surprised at that.

I highly recommend this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to enjoy this one. All opinions are my own.

This is a beautiful love letter to a mother from her son. Owen Elliot-Kugell's book about his mother, Cass Elliot aka Mama Cass is part memoir, part biography and explore previously unknown stories about the powerhouse that was Mama Cass.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was so young when The Mamas and Papas were popular, being only a few years older than the author - my only recollection of them came as I grew older and heard them on the radio now and then. Everyone knows their music, and most people know John Phillips' story. But Cass Eliot has always been sort of an enigma to me. I knew she didn't die in the way the rumor led the public to believe, but I didn't know how she died.

I liked this book quite a lot and learned a lot about "Mama" Cass. I liked how the first half of the book focused on Cass, her early years, and her career up to her death. The second half focused on Owen's life. I thought this was where I'd lose interest, but I didn't. Her life thus far has been just as noteworthy and interesting as her mother's was. I learned some new things, like the fact that Russ Kunkel was her uncle. Had no idea! And I'd heard the story about Wilson Phillips auditioning for their recording contract, but everyone left out the part about Owen being part of that meeting.

I came away knowing so much more about Cass Eliot, and I enjoyed every bit of reading about her and her legacy.

Thank you to Hachette Books and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I have known who Cass Elliot was for as long as I can remember. I Was really excited to see that her daughter Owen had written a book, and more excited to get approved so I could get an ARC of this book.

I was not disappointed in the least. Owen (with the help of family and others who knew her mother) tell the story of her mother's career from the start until it ended in 1974. She also shares what happened to her after her mother's early passing. We also find out who started that stupid "Cass Elliot choked on a sandwich and died" rumor as well.

It is such a shame that Cass didn't live long enough to enjoy her career a little more and see her daughter grow up. Owen did a fantastic job of piecing things together and telling her mom's story. This book certainly is a love letter to her mom.

I was excited to read My Mama, Cass by Owen Elliot-Kugell. I knew of Mama Cass growing up, but only knew the broad strokes of her career. I knew she member of The Mamas and The Papa’s and I knew she had a successful solo career. Her music was easily recognizable. I knew about the tumultuous relationships within the band, her struggles with weight and the myth around her death at such a young age. But there was so much about Cass Elliot I did not know

Owen’s writing reads part biography and part memoir. It really hits all the right notes (see what I did there - corny music reference) Cass grew up in family that supported her and provided stability. Owen was only seven when Cass passed away, and spent her childhood being raised by Cass’s family. Her aunt and grandmother provided stability and a childhood mostly outside of the spotlight, As a way of getting to know her mother, Owen draws on articles, TV interviews and conversations with people who knew Cass.

I did not know was how instrumental Cass was in connecting people who eventually formed the major music groups of the 1960s and early 1970s. Cass raised Owen as a single mother. She balanced performing with motherhood at a time when it wasn’t common. Owen didn’t even learn the identity of her father until she was an adult. Cass was deeply interested in current events of her time and I can only image had she lived longer the impact she would have made for any number of social causes.

I enjoyed the overall quality of Owen’s storytelling. She weaves the story of her mother into childhood memories, the special connection with her grandmother, her career and relationships she has created . I was able to breeze through the book in a day. Thank you NetGalley for this advance reader copy.

My Mama, Cass was an emotionally charged read all the way through in the best of ways. I laughed, cried, danced and sang along with Mama Cass and The Mamas and the Papas!

Some of my favorite chapters all took place in New York City following along with a headstrong young Jewish girl as she became known as Mama Cass.

You learn it all about Mama Cass written beautifully by daughter Owen Elliot-Kugell.

A deeply engaging and personal story of a woman that was misunderstood.
This book sheds a different and more complete light on her.
I am lucky to have to read this book and highly recommend it.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

I loved this book!
Owen Elliot-Kugell has written an honest, interesting and open memoir about her mother Cass Elliot. She dispels rumors that have circled around Cass throughout the years, especially those surrounding her untimely death in 1974.
Owen was only seven years old when she lost her mother and her last image is waving goodbye to her through an airplane window.
Owen writes with candor as she chronicles the life of Ellen Naomi Cohen, her childhood, rise to stardom as a member of The Mamas and Papas and as a solo artist. We learn of her struggles with weight, her lack of self-esteem and her displeasure of being forever titled ‘Mama Cass’ and her love of being a parent and doing creative work.
Through personal insight, television clips and numerous interviews over the years, Owen gives the reader a long overdue opportunity to know Cass Elliot and perhaps she knows her mother a bit more.
Several years ago, I watched a clip of Owen singing ‘Dedicated to the One I Love’ with Wilson Phillips. She sang Cass’s part and it gave me chills thinking of how proud her mother would be.
This is a gift of love and one of the heart that is well worth the read.
Well done Owen!
Thanks to NetGalley, Owen and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What an incredible book Owen has written! I loved every word. The Mamas and the Papas were THE group when I was in high school. Cass Elliot’s death was a shock to the world. Her daughter, Owen, has written an incredible pastiche of her mom’s life. Hugely successful, Cass had the most glorious voice that she shared with the world. Anyone who loved The Mamas and The Papas should read this book!

Having recently read "All the Leaves Are Brown", by Scott G. Shea, which goes into great detail about the rise and fall of the Mamas and Papas, I hesitated to read this one, I must admit. I mean, how much more could it possible tell me? Oh, I'm so glad I didn't heed my hesitation..

Whereas Shea's book focuses on the dynamics and lives of all the group members, the focus here is on not just Cass Elliott but how her life and death impacted her daughter, Owen, who was only seven when Cass died. Much to her credit, Owen, who never even knew who her biological father was until a decade plus past Cass's death, neither ignores nor elevates the '60s lifestyle her mother lead. She draws on friends and family members to flesh out the woman she was only beginning to know before Cass died in London during a solo tour. You'll recognize many of those names, I'm sure. There are some very personal memories, too, such as acknowledging that she still has the ABC blanket with animals on it that was one of her last physical connections to her mother or remembering how the jangle of the bracelets Cass wore reminded her of wind chimes. In other words, this is a book written from love.

I won't detail Cass's life other than say she learned early to hide her hurt with humor, something that allowed her to carry on despite cruel jokes at the expense of her weight. Owen does clarify that the rumor of what caused her mother's death, that dang sandwich, were false. Raised by her aunt and grandmother, Owen's life wasn't an easy one. Nothing like one my think life of a superstar's child might be. The book doesn't point fingers, nothing salacious about anyone, but doesn't hide the fact that Owen had to have therapy as a child and struggled in school. She did seem to inherit her mother's creativity and love of music, however, and even came close to being a part of.....nope, not telling. You'll recognize the group name, however.

Owen never hesitates to reveal her feelings of vulnerability, whether as a struggling youth or trying to connect with her biological father. I came away from the book admiring her greatly. She's taken an unflinching look but endearing look at her mother, writing with love, and has a smooth, easy writing style. If you have any interest in the 1960's lifestyle/music scene, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. So many what ifs, too, from "What if Cass had lived?" to "What if Owen had grown up not only with her mother's love but surrounded by the music scene?" or even "What if she'd known her father as a child?" In other words, this book makes you think while sharing a very personal story. Thanks #NetGalley and #HatchetteBooks for allowing me to read it early. I've always marveled at that remarkable voice of Cass Elliott, so I thoroughly enjoyed this far more-personal-than-most peek into her life and am delighted to see her daughter's voice emerge as a writer.

I really enjoyed this, it felt very similar to the book Natalie Wood's daughter wrote, definitely in the same vein. I liked hearing the story from the daughter's perspective. It was disheartening to realize all these years later they are still talking about the inaccurate way she passed and the weight issue. Appreciate getting to read the book!

Thank you to Net Galley and Hachette Books for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I enjoyed this memoir of Cass Elliot written by her daughter. I learned a lot more about Cass Elliot and how her friends viewed her. I also learned about her music and the history of her career. Even though Owen was very young when her mother passed away, I could tell she had talked to a lot of people to learn more about her mother. I thought this was a very well-written memoir, and I would recommend reading it.

before i go leave my thoughts in this review, i would like to thank netgalley and the publisher hachette books for providing me an early access to the book, the book comes out on may 7, 2024 in north america.
where do i begin.. i really hate to say it, but i wonder if this was ghost written? don't get me wrong, i did really end up enjoying this memoir. it talks about cass elliot's life before and after the mamas and the papas, even including motherhood to owen. i know the author said she got stories from anyone her mother knew, but i wonder if any of those people actually typed this memoir instead. regardless, i thought this was a great read and i think it's great for cass elliot fans everywhere, whether or not you listen to her music in the mamas and the papas or her solo career.

I received this book as an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity.

Owen is a very talented author. Her memoir is not just about her Mother but about herself as well.

Thank you Owen for sharing the small details about your Mother’s life that mean so much and letting us get to know who you are.

#NetGalley #goodreads

Excellent book.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the free ARC of this book. I couldn’t put it down!

Cass Elliot was one of the greatest talents in pop/rock music history. Of course, she had an amazing singing voice, for which she will always be remembered. But, she was also a highly intelligent, independent woman, and decades ahead of her time. She succeeded in a male-dominated industry at a time when very few women did so. And she was, by choice, a single mother when such a thing was still looked down upon.

I remember when Owen was born. To read Owen’s memories of her mother, and the story of her own life, was truly an experience.

So again, a big thank you to NetGalley for making this memoir available to read. And an even bigger thank you to Owen for writing it!