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California Dreamin': The True Story of the Mamas and the Papas The Music, the Madness, the Magic that was
Michelle Phillips evokes the heady atmosphere of creativity and meteoric success, and the destructive, drug-filled lifestyle that characterized the West Coast music scene in the sixties
178 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1986
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About the author
Michelle Phillips
61 books10 followersMichelle Phillips is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She gained fame as a member of the popular 1960s singing group The Mamas & the Papas and is the last surviving original member of the group.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 5, 2012
The first half of this was very good indeed, and I was thinking that it would continue in that vein. But then things began to get rather sketchy, and a bit puzzling as well (eg, Gene Clark, who was portrayed as being very skittish about his affair with her, suddenly shows up in the front row of a M&P concert with a big grin on his face). Certainly it's difficult to figure out what the writer is thinking sometimes, and her moral compass doesn't always seem to be too highly magnetized. Okay, so she was young and suddenly all this fame and fortune was thrust upon her; sure, anybody could spin out of orbit with all of that. But this was after all written some 20 years later, and you'd think that the older (and wiser?) Michelle would kick in with a bit more commentary about her younger and sillier self. She seems all too often (when not acting like a spoiled brat) to be a "vapid blonde."
We hear that she and her husband agree to stay together (more or less for the sake of the group). And then that's it. No more accounts of fighting or of the tension between members...it all just sort of segues into a fuzzy-headed sequence of parties and nights out on the town. All she can really seem to do after a while is talk about all her nifty new furniture and dinner plates. It was the honesty of the first part of the book which made it compelling, and which is sadly very much lacking in the second half. Somewhere in there (I can't find the page now) she says how she's not going to tell anything really intimate in this book, which is perhaps not the best attitude in the world for a memoir writer to take (lol).
There are indeed some amusing moments, such as describing the disappointing fourth album, which was recorded in the converted studio at their house: "What a waste of a cedar closet."
And then there's the following:
"John was up until dawn, strapped into his guitar, and he came to me in the morning and played me a wonderful tune. 'Isn't it pretty?' he said. 'I have just spent the last few hours writing it.'
"I listened to it. It was lovely. 'John,' I said. 'You've just spent the night writing "Autumn Leaves."' These things can happen."
But mostly things become rather tedious as we have to listen to her (again) tell us how great M&P were. The biggest thing since the Beatles, to hear her account of it. Now, they had a cool sound (and look) for a while, and a string of very nice records...but no, they were not the Beatles.
You really have to wonder about someone who babbles on for page after page about her chintz curtains or whatever may be the objet d'art of the moment, and yet voices nary a word when her daughter enters the world.
Then of course there was the section on someplace called the Daisy, which was alleged to be nice and fun, unless of course you were an outsider and had the door "unmercifully slammed in your face." Unfortunately she seems to have gone rather Hollywood, as can perhaps be demonstrated by the glitzy glam shot of her which takes up the book's back cover. It all seems a bit shallow and soulless to me, and not the sort of thing you'd expect from the young wildcat acidhead she used to be.
The blurb about the author on the dust jacket is also something from right out of Hollywood. Indeed, it verges on self-parody. Here it is, in full:
"Termed 'the purest soprano in pop-dom' by Time magazine, Michelle Phillips is today an acclaimed actress as well as a musical legend. She starred opposite Audrey Hepburn and Omar Sharif in the film of Sidney Sheldon's bestseller Bloodline, opposite Rudolf Nureyev in Valentino, and with other major stars in numerous motion pictures, TV miniseries, and made-for-television movies. Her latest starring role is one opposite Olympic gold medalist Mitch Gaylord in the motion picture American Anthem for Albert Magnoli, director of Purple Rain."
Woe unto those who start to believe their own hype... ;)
We hear that she and her husband agree to stay together (more or less for the sake of the group). And then that's it. No more accounts of fighting or of the tension between members...it all just sort of segues into a fuzzy-headed sequence of parties and nights out on the town. All she can really seem to do after a while is talk about all her nifty new furniture and dinner plates. It was the honesty of the first part of the book which made it compelling, and which is sadly very much lacking in the second half. Somewhere in there (I can't find the page now) she says how she's not going to tell anything really intimate in this book, which is perhaps not the best attitude in the world for a memoir writer to take (lol).
There are indeed some amusing moments, such as describing the disappointing fourth album, which was recorded in the converted studio at their house: "What a waste of a cedar closet."
And then there's the following:
"John was up until dawn, strapped into his guitar, and he came to me in the morning and played me a wonderful tune. 'Isn't it pretty?' he said. 'I have just spent the last few hours writing it.'
"I listened to it. It was lovely. 'John,' I said. 'You've just spent the night writing "Autumn Leaves."' These things can happen."
But mostly things become rather tedious as we have to listen to her (again) tell us how great M&P were. The biggest thing since the Beatles, to hear her account of it. Now, they had a cool sound (and look) for a while, and a string of very nice records...but no, they were not the Beatles.
You really have to wonder about someone who babbles on for page after page about her chintz curtains or whatever may be the objet d'art of the moment, and yet voices nary a word when her daughter enters the world.
Then of course there was the section on someplace called the Daisy, which was alleged to be nice and fun, unless of course you were an outsider and had the door "unmercifully slammed in your face." Unfortunately she seems to have gone rather Hollywood, as can perhaps be demonstrated by the glitzy glam shot of her which takes up the book's back cover. It all seems a bit shallow and soulless to me, and not the sort of thing you'd expect from the young wildcat acidhead she used to be.
The blurb about the author on the dust jacket is also something from right out of Hollywood. Indeed, it verges on self-parody. Here it is, in full:
"Termed 'the purest soprano in pop-dom' by Time magazine, Michelle Phillips is today an acclaimed actress as well as a musical legend. She starred opposite Audrey Hepburn and Omar Sharif in the film of Sidney Sheldon's bestseller Bloodline, opposite Rudolf Nureyev in Valentino, and with other major stars in numerous motion pictures, TV miniseries, and made-for-television movies. Her latest starring role is one opposite Olympic gold medalist Mitch Gaylord in the motion picture American Anthem for Albert Magnoli, director of Purple Rain."
Woe unto those who start to believe their own hype... ;)
February 25, 2011
I have to say overall I was not impressed with the writing. I love The mama's & The Papa's music so I wanted to read more about them as people. I read John's daughter's book about his sexual relationship with her.So I also wanted to see if he had some kind of warning signs with his wife..Yes is my oppinion he did. Michelle being only 16-17 when they strated a sexual relationship, while he was married to a woman he had two children with. All I really learned is how they met and what drugs they did. Could have found that info online and not be bored with the writing...This does deserve 3 stars though instead of the 2 I wanted to give it. I think she tried she is just not that good of a writer in my oppinion... LOVE her acting and singing though.
May 4, 2019
Fun to read the history of one of my favorite bands... Now I can truly appreciate "Creeque Alley"! I was struck by the dichotomy of the hippie and lavish lifestyles they led; barefoot and clean-faced, drinking Dom Perignon in Indian silks. Interesting times...
April 30, 2025
So eighties- in style and memoirs of the time.
November 21, 2012
Writing Style: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
A must-read for anybody whos a fan of Michelle Phillips, The Mamas and the Papas, or 60's music in general.
In this autobiography, Michelle Phillip's outlines how The Mamas and the Papas came to be, and we get to learn about her own early life and how she came to meet John Phillips, Cass Elliot, and Denny Doherty.
The book was nice, short, and to the point. You hear more about the fights, the songs, the affairs, the good times, and the bad times. Not only that, you get that amazing wholesome feel for the 60s (Ah, how I wish I lived then!).
This book was overall, great. Although the writing was a bit flat, you can't blame Phillips. Obviously, she's more of a singer and actress than a writer. But that's not to say she can't write. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and learned more than ever about one of my favorite groups of all time. Michelle is considered one of the "purest sopranos" of all time, and I couldn't agree more. I've always loved Michelle's voice, and she seems like such a down-to-earth person nowadays.
Overall Rating: 4/5
A must-read for anybody whos a fan of Michelle Phillips, The Mamas and the Papas, or 60's music in general.
In this autobiography, Michelle Phillip's outlines how The Mamas and the Papas came to be, and we get to learn about her own early life and how she came to meet John Phillips, Cass Elliot, and Denny Doherty.
The book was nice, short, and to the point. You hear more about the fights, the songs, the affairs, the good times, and the bad times. Not only that, you get that amazing wholesome feel for the 60s (Ah, how I wish I lived then!).
This book was overall, great. Although the writing was a bit flat, you can't blame Phillips. Obviously, she's more of a singer and actress than a writer. But that's not to say she can't write. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and learned more than ever about one of my favorite groups of all time. Michelle is considered one of the "purest sopranos" of all time, and I couldn't agree more. I've always loved Michelle's voice, and she seems like such a down-to-earth person nowadays.
January 16, 2016
This is an interesting read about the Mamas and the Papas that describes how the group originated and developed. Phillips is not a writer and repeats herself at times but her story describes what and how it all happened. She was there and involved. Worth reading if you are interested in this group. These young talented people worked hard and went through many life experiences for which they were unprepared even when they attained the fame they sought. The music they made was incredible. John Phillips was a perfectionist who knew how to blend their voices to achieve that wonderful sound that became so popular. They all knew that at some point the group would disband. Not long after, Cass died far too soon but she proved to herself and others that she could become a solo star.
April 9, 2012
I have NEVER cared for Michelle Phillips and my preconceived notions of her were confirmed in this book. It was fascinating to learn more of the background on a lot of their songs and interpersonal relationships. As it's one persons account, you have to take that into consideration, and a lot of the turmoil and disruption in the band came directly from her actions. She justifies herself, as we all do, and I can see her point, but I just don't care for her. Regardless, I love it. Read it in one night!
October 16, 2022
After watching an old Dick Cavett show from the 70's with Michelle Phillips pushing this book she had just finished, my curiosity got the best of me to get a copy. I found a used copy on Thriftbooks and began my read. It is well written and interesting. It's always sad to see inner turmoil destroy relationships. Most of the books I have read lead me to believe it is usually one person in the dynamic causing the problem. Something to think about.
June 19, 2016
Eh, I don't know if it's really the "true" story. It's definitely her true story, as her brain filtered it. If you are a considerable fan of Michelle or M&P, you'll first interesting, otherwise there are probably better choices for the casual fan. Also it's just a wall of text.
February 22, 2015
Not great, not terrible. No index. Nevertheless, there are some pretty good anecdotes and a nice portrait of the world of the hippie beautiful people, circa 1966-67.
February 7, 2017
Doesn't hold up very well in comparison to the John Phillips memoir. Not nearly as comprehensive or entertaining.
October 15, 2023
Actually a horrible book written by a horrible person!
January 2, 2018
If for only the first few chapters how california dreaming the song was made and the sheer coincidence i read it new years day about being in ny and wanting to get in the sunshine and see the rose bowl for real ,this was cool enuf for me! Also she did not bash John at all, in fact she saw his genius in music and respected it in the book! All The Leaves are Brown,And The sky is grey,I,ve been on a walk on this winters Day.....
April 22, 2025
I thought this book would serve well, but it gets a little tedious and the writing style isn’t very good. I did learn some fun things, both about the 1960s folk scene as well as life in Laurel Canyon, etc. The recounting of the formation of the group was interesting. I do think she spoke her mind, unfiltered and that takes guts. So overall, kudos for heart but not necessarily for writing in general. 2 stars.
August 3, 2018
I enjoyed it, I’m happy to have read it, but it’s full of hippie optimism, of rose-tinted memories. But it is what I was expecting - the usual autobiography, not always the most reliable version of a story, but an interesting story nonetheless.
January 21, 2023
It was okay, I did learn a lot about The Mama’s and The Papa’s lives.
March 11, 2021
Loved reading the wild band stories. What a time to be alive.
July 27, 2023
If you are a big Mama's and Papa's fan, I think you would definitely enjoy Michelle Phillips' telling of their story from her perspective, as well as different poignant parts of her life. She gives the juicy details, and I mean JUICY. I read this entire book in one night! You'll get an exceptional history lesson on the group (rise and fall) as well as history on her upbringing, all the way up to meeting the infamous John Phillips. Loved it!
May 28, 2010
I read this a couple of years ago and failed to put it on my list. This is Michelle Phillips memoir of one of my favorite groups "The Mamas and the Papas". A must read if you are interested in the history of this legendary group.
May 14, 2010
Great book. I am so obsessed with the Mamas and the Papas right now.
July 31, 2010
Her side of the story.
July 23, 2017
Reads well given it was written 28 years ago. This is Michelle's side of the story.
October 17, 2015
This book was autographed by the author.
I love the honesty of this book. I have always loved Mamas & Papas music. This book is a must read for any fan of the group.
I love the honesty of this book. I have always loved Mamas & Papas music. This book is a must read for any fan of the group.
April 12, 2017
Learned a lot about the group that I didn't know before and some background on some of the songs.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews