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

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 & 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 leave you wanting more!!!!!!!

Gettin’ Kinda Itchie, by Richard Campbell, is a marvelous overview of the various folk music groups that helped create the foundation for the beloved pop quartet, The Mamas and the Papas (M&P). It’s a brisk and readable survey of early lives of John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Cass Elliot, and Denny Doherty. We also get insight into the early groups and fascinating people that helped form their musical talents. Groups such as The Journeymen, The Big 3, The Halifax Three, and The Mugwumps are chronicled. We are introduced to musicians such as John Sebastian, Tim Rose, James Hendricks, Scott McKenzie, and many others. Lots of great stories and antidotes (which I enjoy) are interspersed with a history of those bygone times of the short-lived folk music boom. There are interpersonal conflicts, scuffling for gigs, gossip, new facts, and lots of great (some rare) photos. I’m a Cass Elliot fanatic, so I greatly enjoyed the book. Anyone looking for a fine, well-written overview of the roots of the endlessly fascinating Mamas and Papas, need look no further. As a bonus, for those who love detail and minutia, there’s and excellent sessionography and discography.

The extensive time for the author, Richard Campbell, to research for this book must have taken many years. There are scores of detailed interviews, all geared toward preserving the history of the multifaceted origins of this iconic group, as well as the music industry of that time. There was careful composition of all these difficult and factual chronological items. Putting all this together was a monumental task. Thoughtful arrangement of all the researched information formed a cohesive history. A history that creates a mental image of what the members went through as they sang their way to a better day. The content of this book was so detailed that those reading feel like they are right there. As if we are experiencing those moments too. “Gettin Kinda Itchie” is an extremely meaningful yet thoughtful preservation of the lives of all those that were out there learning the music business and just trying to make a living. Make a living from something they enjoyed. It was through their trials and tribulations that listeners today get to experience the creativity that formed a lasting consonance legacy.

I've read the author's articles and liner notes about our favorite group for years, he brings it all together in this book. The history of each member and their musical histories is thorough and so interesting. The first time I've read lots of new information about the group since John and Michelle's autobiographies were published in 1986. I've read that both Michelle and Cass' talented daughter Owen both heartily endorse this book. I ordered 2 extra copies for friends and they are loving it too. Tons of cool photos and a joyful lay out as well.

Richard has spent a lifetime researching The Mamas and The Papas, and, with unparalleled access to the people who are part of the story of this legendary group, he gives us for the first time the total story of the legendary musicians who gave us 'California Dreamin', 'Monday, Monday', 'Creeque Alley', and other songs that have become part of the American experience. Richard candidly documents details fans have hungered for for decades; he reveals the rich musical pre-history of the group, the songs that came before worldwide fame, and recovers long-lost stories that will surprise and delight the reader. Reading this book put me right there, in the cafes and coffee houses, as Cass Elliot put-out her cigarette, bounded onto the stage, and made audiences swoon. Bursting with vintage photos, images of ephemera, and a surprising revelation about Cass Elliot make this book the definitive history and herstory of a music group that made a mark on pop music way, way out of proportion to the few short years they were together. This book is a work of love, and it is bound to be a collectible.

When reading Gettin' Kinda Itchie, on more than one occasion, you will have to remind yourselves that Richard Campbell was not actually there when all these musically historic convergences transpired in real time. Such is the fly-on-the-wall intimate feel achieved in this book – a product of decades’ worth of passion and devotion for The Mamas and The Papas and the four members’ body-of-work: individually and collectively, pre and post-group: culminating here in this ultimate love letter-meets-professional-triumph that has garnered the highest praise from original and last-surviving band member, Michelle Phillips herself. Richard Campbell has left no stone unturned in his exhaustive deep dive into the foursome’s earliest musical beginnings, so much so that immediate family members of John, Cass, Michelle, and Denny have – through this book – learned hitherto unknown facts and fascinating trivia about those nascent partnerships, collaborations, friendships, and their ultimate coming together as The Mamas and The Papas. This book belongs on every major book shop shelf – not just the music ones. It should be read, studied, and celebrated for the creative and inspiring historical triumph that it is. What a ride!

Interesante repaso a la historia de los grupos por los que pasaron los miembros de The Mamas And The Papas antes de formar el cuarteto. Muy informativo, a cargo del historiador del grupo Richard Campbell. Contiene fotos fruto del trabajo exhaustivo del autor para documentarse a lo largo de muchos años. Muy recomendable para seguidores del grupo e interesados en grupos folk de finales de los 50s, principios de los 60.

A very informative and richly illustrated book about the bands that predated the Mamas & Papas including a pretty detailed analysis of Creeque Alley. All in all very recommendable.

Not only fans of The Mamas & The Papas get their money's worth here! Words fail me as to how author Richard Campbell addresses this group. He has so much knowledge about the band that even as a fan it leaves me speechless. In this book Richard Cambell dedicates himself to the time before The Mamas & The Papas. Absolutely worth reading! @Richard: Thank you for your dedication!

Wow so much I didn't know A brilliant read so much hard work gone in to this. Now to start collecting again