On the evening of December 11, 1966, The Mamas & The Papas performed their hit song “Monday, Monday” on The Ed Sullivan Show. As someone in the audience that night, I can tell you it was an incredible experience.
The band opened with a beautiful rendition of their smash single, instantly captivating the entire audience. Lead singer Cass Elliot was a vision in her bright purple dress, and John Phillips had a special sparkle in his eye as he played each note of the iconic melody.
We were all transfixed—the rhythm and harmony fit together like pieces of a puzzle, lifting everyone with its uplifting message. We collectively sang along to every word and clapped our hands in unison. It was indeed something special.
The emotion didn’t stop there—it kept building as “Monday, Monday” gave way to their other classic song from their discography, “California Dreamin”. The combination of these timeless hits made for an unforgettable live performance that I will never forget.
It was a magical night for music lovers everywhere—we were lucky to be part of history. Seeing the legendary band perform together after years apart (since 1967) made us feel so grateful that we got to witness this fantastic moment first-hand.
After their set ended, they received thunderous applause from the whole crowd, and Ed Sullivan showered them with praise. He knew that we had all just experienced something artful and memorable—something made to last forever.
I can honestly say it felt like being at Woodstock two years before it happened. When I hear any song by The Mamas & The Papas, I get transported back to that enchanted evening on December 11, 1966, when seeing them live changed my life forever.
If you liked this, share it with a friend.
