mama cass

It was 1974 and Cass was ecstatic that she was going to London to play The Palladium. After she had played two nights there, she called crying with joy telling me that she had got a standing ovation both nights and she had sold out both nights, she was just as happy as I'd ever seen her or heard her.

The following day I was having lunch at Warner Brothers and a friend of mine came running out with the terrible news that Cass had died in her sleep of a heart attack, it was just unbelievable that she died on the night that she had called me and been so happy and so fulfilled, it was wonderful for her that she had made that leap from Mama Cass to Cass Elliot, and I do know this one thing—Cass Elliot died a very happy woman.

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The old joke that if Mama Cass had given her chicken sandwich - the one she supposedly chocked on - to Karen Carpenter - then they would both still be alive - is a bit thin these days.

It is good to read though that she died on a high note, that she was thrilled and life was good.

It always seems such a waste when someone so talented dies so young and we all miss the potential of so many more songs that were never recorded and the lost years of that golden voice, but like with Amy Whitehouse, some times their journey is a mighty flame that burns brightly in the darkness brining much light to many, but it burns itself out quickly leaving the dimness of memory and nothing is ever a waste, for we had her - and we lost her - but we have her music and that is what matters, she left something behind that we love.

What have you left behind that will be remembered, even if just by a few ?

What have you offered others that will be remembered ?

What have you achieved that will leave a lasting memory ?

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According to Keith Simpson, who conducted her autopsy, she died of a heart attack, and there were no drugs in her system. Four years later, Keith Moon, drummer for The Who died in the same bedroom, also aged 32 years. Elliot did not die from choking on a ham sandwich.

Bizarrely, yes; it was a flat in London's Mayfair district owned by their mutual friend, singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson. Since Nilsson was only in London half the year, he would loan it to pals while he was out of town.

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