Gettin' Kinda Itchie: The Groups That Made The Mamas & The Papas

by Richard Barton Campbell

"In Gettin’ Kinda Itchie , Richard Campbell meticulously puts together the puzzle of how The Mamas & The Papas were made, and he gets it exactly right." – Michelle Phillips, Original Member of The Mamas & The Papas, Actress, and Songwriter Gettin' Kinda Itchie traces the circuitous lives of the various groups in which the members of The Mamas & The Papas performed in the years before the formation of their group. Many of the groups are long lost to The Abstracts, The Smoothies, The Journeymen, The Hepsters, The Colonials, The Halifax Three, The Triumvirate, The Big 3, Mac's Pipe & Drum House Band, Cass Elliot & The Big 3, D & Z, The Mugwumps, and The New Journeymen. The groups may now be answers to trivia questions, but they each contributed to the sound, style, and persona that became the bedrock of American folk rock. Along the way they intersected the circles of artists like David Crosby, Gordon Lightfoot, John Sebastian and Scott McKenzie. More than a verbal flow chart, this book is the untold prequel story to The Mamas & The Papas whose harmonies soothed and satisfied millions amid the reverberating cacophony of the times. Social upheaval, riots, and the war in Vietnam were largely quelled with dreams of California and a song about the common reality of the first day of the week. The Mamas & The Papas stood as troubadours of a generation and a powerful American answer to the British Invasion. Between 1965 and 1968 the group garnered top ten hits like "Monday Monday," "Creeque Alley," "Dedicated To The One I Love," "I Saw Her Again" and "California Dreamin'," which would ultimately go on to sell tens of millions of records. They broke new ground as architects of the historic 1967 Monterey International Pop Festival, which kicked off the Summer of Love and the next wave of popular music. It was the end of a long path-a magic circle. This book is about that magic and that circle. It is about the groups, music, and experiences that created The Mamas & The Papas. It is the account of The Smoothies carrying spears in costume, and of the FBI tracking The Mugwumps in Cold War Washington, D.C., and secret marriages to avoid the Draft and keep on singing. This is four musicians' journey from coffeehouses to nightclubs and gymnasiums, before leaving folk music behind and taking flight.

240 pages, Paperback

Published August 10, 2023

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a massive mamas and papas fan, especially a Cass Elliot fan. And I have wanted to read this book since the minute it came out, I finally bought it. It did not disappoint, I went into it rather arrogantly thinking that I already know everything and I’ll just be rereading. I was wrong, Richard really is the most knowledgeable person on the mamas and the papas and anything related other than the members themselves and their children. He has devoted so much of his life to the information and memory and all four members of the band, and he really has done an amazing job. I really enjoyed reading about John Phillips and The Smoothies at the beginning of the book, being mainly a Cass fan I don’t normally do as much research on John but I was pleasantly surprised at how interesting it was. Richard had a lovely way of writing which made me not want to put this book down. Not many people talk about the groups prior to the mamas and the papas and I have always struggled to find all the information I wanted about the bands, and I now finally have it, I feel like the information fits together now. The photographs and everything in this book, is incredible, lots that I have never seen before. I am so glad I read this, I have read many books about the mamas and the papas and related topics and ‘Gettin’ Kinda Itchie’ is by far my favourite! Well done and thank you very much Mr Campbell, you should be extremely proud of the incredible book you have created!

[Karyn King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Campbell has created something really spectacular. This is the book that fans have been waiting for! Richard Campbell has spent years researching, collecting, and interviewing all things related to Cass, Denny, John and Michelle. This book is truly a labor of love, and it is evident from Mr. Campbell’s writing that he is very knowledgeable and is the number one source for all things Mamas & the Papas related. Richard Campbell has been researching and interviewing his subjects for years and it shows. Mr. Campbell has created chapters devoted to each member of The Mamas & the Papas and their respective bands before they made it big. Each chapter takes you on a detailed journey of how these early bands evolved and then dissolved leading to each member finding their way into what became The Mamas & the Papas. If you enjoy 1960’s music and the nostalgia of that era, you can’t help but enjoy this book. If you are a fan of Cass, Denny, John or Michelle, you will absolutely love this book!
The book contains many never- before seen pictures, items from the author’s personal collections and interviews that have not previously been published. Mr. Campbell did a wonderful job organizing his sources, with detailed citations and notes. He created a very detailed and interesting appendix to the book as well. The timeline that Mr. Campbell has presented is absolutely amazing as all other books are rather vague in terms of laying out when various events took place. Mr. Campbell presents his information in a straightforward historical manner, free of any personal judgement and has created a nice, easy read.
This is the best book to date on The Mamas & the Papas, telling their prequel story before coming together. It is a must have for anyone who is a fan. Even if you are well read on the band and its members, I guarantee that you will learn something new from Mr. Campbell’s book. There isn’t a single bad thing about this book, except that it will leaving you wanting more!!!!!!!

[DALYN MILLER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gettin’ Kinda Itchie is a richly detailed and engaging exploration of the musical roots that led to the formation of one of America’s most iconic folk rock groups. Richard Barton Campbell delivers a meticulous and well-researched narrative that goes beyond surface level history, offering readers a deeper understanding of the journey behind the music.

What makes this book particularly compelling is its focus on the prequel story the lesser known bands, collaborations, and experiences that shaped the members of The Mamas & The Papas. By tracing their paths through various obscure and transitional groups, the book constructs a fascinating musical lineage that highlights how sound, identity, and artistry evolve over time.

Additionally, the intersections with influential artists and the broader cultural backdrop of the 1960s add significant depth. The story is not just about a band, but about a transformative era in music history marked by social change, creative experimentation, and the emergence of a distinctly American sound in response to global influences.

The narrative also captures the human side of the journey the risks, sacrifices, and unexpected moments that defined these musicians’ early careers. These details bring authenticity and texture, making the story feel both historical and personal.

Ultimately, Gettin’ Kinda Itchie stands as a valuable contribution to music literature. It offers fans and historians alike a rare look into the foundation of a legendary group, revealing that the magic of success is often built long before the spotlight ever appears.

[Graeme Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gettin’ Kinda Itchie: The Groups That Made The Mamas & The Papas by Richard Barton Campbell is a meticulously researched and captivating prequel to one of the most iconic American folk rock groups. Campbell traces the winding paths of the musicians before they coalesced into The Mamas & The Papas, exploring a fascinating array of groups, from The Abstracts to The New Journeymen, each contributing to the harmonic brilliance and cultural resonance of the band.

The narrative is enriched with vibrant anecdotes and historical context, from coffeehouse performances and nightclub circuits to intersections with legends like David Crosby, Gordon Lightfoot, and Scott McKenzie. Campbell seamlessly blends music history, social commentary, and personal stories, showing how the turbulence of the 1960s from the Vietnam War to the Summer of Love shaped both the music and the musicians.

For fans of American folk, rock history, or music biographies, this book is a must read. It offers an insider’s view of the experiences, collaborations, and creative journeys that ultimately produced timeless classics like California Dreamin’ and Monday, Monday. Campbell’s prose captures both the magic of the music and the cultural moment, making Gettin’ Kinda Itchie a definitive and joyous tribute to the early lives of four extraordinary artists.

[Ebenezerezekiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gettin’ Kinda Itchie offers a rich and carefully researched look into the journey that led to the rise of The Mamas & The Papas. Rather than just telling their story, it explores the lesser-known groups, influences, and experiences that shaped their sound and identity. The level of detail makes it especially rewarding for readers who appreciate music history and the evolution of iconic artists. It’s not just a biography—it’s a deeper look at the foundation of a musical era.