I was living in a house in Hollywood Hills which was owned by Peter Tork of the Monkees. I had known Peter from my early days in music when he visited my home town, Wilmington, Delaware. Later on in NY we lived in the same apartment building on Bedford Street.
That was a lively community! People like Stephen Stills, Lou Gossett, and Felix Pappalardi stayed with us -- many others, hope I remember more later. I was working with a 3 girl group, we had 3 formations all produced by Felix Pappalardi (later with Mountain and Cream). Felix also was producing Gale Garnett, a very talented artist from new Zealand. I sang background vocals on her Number One hit, "We'll Sing in the Sunshine" I was also on a tour with Peter Paul and Mary, and played at Gerde's Folk City.
Then Peter auditioned for the Monkees. Anyway suddenly everyone was going to California. I knew I didn't want to raise my son in NYC. Peter had encouraged me to at least visit and then when my girlfriend Linda Woodward turned up at my gallery (another story) with David Crosby, that made 2 pretty fine invitations so I didn't resist.
Linda and I decided to form another girl group with Nicole Tacot (later Winwood). We sang with everyone who came by; I did a duet with Barry Mcguire of the Christy Minstrels. We sang "Yesterday"; it was filmed but who knows where the tapes are now. We three girls worked closely with Dino Valente. We had our own rehearsal space in Hollywood since so much was going on at Peter's house!
Later, when myself, Nicole and Cynthia Webb were working at Apple Records we recorded 4 of Dino's songs at Trident Studios with Eddie Kramer engineering and George Harrison producing. Linda Woodward was in love and chose not to come to England with us. She later wrote songs and performed with Denny Dogherty (Mamas and Papas) on their lp "Watcha Gonna Do"
On Traffic's first LA tour, I first saw them at the Whisky and we invited them to the house. It was then I found out that Dave Mason had just quit the group back in NY. They were a little insecure about suddenly having to shift instruments. Chris had to play bass sometimes; I can't remember it all right now but we went to a lot of concerts, assured them that we liked them just the way they were.
Another tangent . . ..My colleague Maureen Gray had also met Traffic on the East Coast and we were to meet one year later at Apple Records in Derek Taylor's office. Later we were to join the band Sail in Amsterdam. The group already existed before we joined. Both Dave Mason and Steve Winwood played with us in Amsterdam in 74 or 75. Steve played with us at the Melkweg. They hired a hammond organ for the gig; somewhere there are photos and maybe even recordings.
Peter's house was a base for Stephen Stills, Lowell George, Jimi Hendrix, David Crosby and of course there was much jamming!!poor Peter was having to be on time (8:am) at Screen Gems' filming the Monkee's tv series, don't think he ever got enough sleep! Hi home was very popular with all visiting musicians from abroad and a real musical center for many combinations.
