Owen Elliot-Kugell, the daughter of Mama Cass Elliot from folk vocal group Mamas and the Papas, has spent almost half a century living with the false myth that her mother died from choking on a ham sandwich. She tackles this misconception in her memoir “My Mama, Cass,” set to be released ahead of the 50th anniversary of her mother’s death. Elliot-Kugell has worked extensively to piece together what actually happened in the days leading up to her mother’s death, which included playing her final Palladium show and staying up for 36 hours. She reveals that her mother did not choke on a ham sandwich as the myth suggests.
Cass Elliot faced battles with obesity throughout her life, beginning at the age of seven. She was prescribed amphetamines as a teenager to speed up her metabolism, which started a cycle of crash dieting and drug taking. Despite these challenges, Cass pursued her dream of becoming a performer and was determined to be successful. Elliot-Kugell is proud of her mother for persevering and achieving her goals, despite the obstacles she faced due to her weight. Cass became a trailblazer for plus-size women in the music industry, paving the way for others to be accepted and appreciated for who they are.
The memoir explores happier memories of Cass Elliot, including moments spent watching “The Wizard of Oz” together and singing along to songs on the radio. Elliot-Kugell fondly remembers her mother’s involvement in her life when she was in town and the special bond they shared. She did not discover the identity of her father, session bass player Chuck Day, until she was 19 years old. The book also sheds light on the true origin of the ham sandwich myth, revealing that it was concocted by Cass’s manager to protect her legacy after her death.
Despite facing public scrutiny and fat-shaming throughout her career, Cass Elliot remained determined to succeed as a performer. Her daughter, Owen Elliot-Kugell, defends the lyrics in the Mamas and the Papas hit “Creeque Alley,” believing that they were meant as a compliment rather than a derogatory reference to her mother’s weight. Elliot-Kugell believes that Cass’s legacy has paved the way for other plus-size women in the music industry to be accepted and appreciated for their talents. She hopes that by sharing the truth about her mother’s death, the false ham sandwich myth can be dispelled once and for all.
“My Mama, Cass” offers a heartfelt tribute to the legendary singer’s life and career, correcting the misconceptions that have surrounded her death for decades. Owen Elliot-Kugell’s memoir sheds light on the true facts behind her mother’s passing and celebrates her legacy as a pioneering figure in the music industry. Through personal anecdotes and intimate memories, Elliot-Kugell paints a vivid portrait of Cass Elliot as a determined and resilient woman who overcame obstacles to achieve her dreams. The book aims to set the record straight and honor the memory of a talented artist who left an indelible mark on the music world.
