Cass Elliot was born Ellen Naomi Cohen to two lawyers in Baltimore, Maryland. Cass is said to have borrowed her stage name from Peggy Cass, a popular comidiane of that time. Cass was told that she had an I.Q. of 165. She recalled walking near a construction site, not far from her rehersals. A large copper pipe fell onto Cass and bopped her in the head, giving her a concussion. Since that moment, Cass was able to reach three notes higher with her singing. She laughed about the incident, and never understood it, but did verify it's occurrance.
If I remember correctly, Peggy Cass was a regular on many game shows back in the '60s and '70s. I have heard the concussion story, but not the origin of Elliot's stage name. Very interesting stories about an interesting and talented lady!
Cass, John, and Denny: gone too soon.
ReplyDeleteCass Elliot was born Ellen Naomi Cohen to two lawyers in Baltimore, Maryland. Cass is said to have borrowed her stage name from Peggy Cass, a popular comidiane of that time. Cass was told that she had an I.Q. of 165.
ReplyDeleteShe recalled walking near a construction site, not far from her rehersals. A large copper pipe fell onto Cass and bopped her in the head, giving her a concussion. Since that moment, Cass was able to reach three notes higher with her singing. She laughed about the incident, and never understood it, but did verify it's occurrance.
If I remember correctly, Peggy Cass was a regular on many game shows back in the '60s and '70s. I have heard the concussion story, but not the origin of Elliot's stage name. Very interesting stories about an interesting and talented lady!
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