i think it was in the late 1980's or so, while at the state fair with a friend one day, that we saw an advertisement for the mamas and the papas at one of the free stages. being that mama cass was dead, and we were pretty sure michelle phillips didn't have much to do with john post-divorce (wasn't she in some night-time soap by then? anyway....), we went to see who these people actually were.

apparently it was the 'new' mamas and papas, with original member john phillips, his 'one day at a time' alum daughter mackenzie (i'm not sure if this was pre or post rehab for her), 'spanky' mc farland from the group spanky and our gang (they had one song, i think, that you may have heard of. but probably not), and scott mckenzie, who did the song about wearing flowers in your hair if you're going to san francisco.

the music wasn't anything to write home about, but it was far from the worst thing i've seen.

after the show, which featured songs by the mamas and papas, spanky and our gang, and scott's one song, there was an area to get autographs, which my friend wanted to go to, so we went. it was not crowded, and i kind of felt sorry for them while standing there for my friend to get her paper signed, so i found a pen and had them sign some napkin or something i had in one of my bags of free fair crap. from what i remember, they were gracious about it.