A rock myth surrounding Mama Cass Elliot’s death has been debunked by her daughter, Owen Elliot-Kugell, who is setting the record straight after nearly half a century. The famous tale that Mama Cass choked on a ham sandwich is simply not true, according to her daughter.
Owen Elliot-Kugell shares that her mother, known for her role in the folk vocal group Mamas and the Papas, did have a ham sandwich present, but she neither ate it nor choked on it. This revelation comes after enduring decades of jokes surrounding the false narrative, perpetuated even by popular culture, such as Mike Myers’ comedic reference in the 1997 film “Austin Powers.”
Mama Cass Elliot, as she was professionally known, was a pivotal figure in the music industry, contributing her powerful voice to hit singles like “California Dreamin’,” “Monday Monday,” and “Dream a Little Dream.” Despite her success, her life was tragically cut short at the age of 32 in 1974.
Elliot-Kugell explains the frustration of having to live with the false ham sandwich legend for 50 years, recalling how even as a child, she encountered misconceptions about her mother’s death. She emphasizes the cruelty of perpetuating such rumors and the toll it took on her.
In an effort to set the record straight, Elliot-Kugell has extensively researched her mother’s final days, piecing together a timeline leading up to her death. She clarifies that Mama Cass had just completed a two-week performance at the London Palladium before her passing.
Moreover, Elliot-Kugell highlights the issue of weight that plagued her mother throughout her life. Mama Cass battled obesity from a young age, facing societal pressures and resorting to crash diets and drugs. Despite the challenges, she persevered in her music career, becoming a trailblazer for body positivity in the industry.
Elliot-Kugell’s memoir, “My Mama, Cass,” serves as a tribute to her mother’s legacy while correcting misconceptions about her death. Through personal anecdotes and revelations, she hopes to honor Mama Cass’s memory and shed light on the truth behind the ham sandwich myth.
