Caffè Lena History Project

Scott McKenzie

I hope some folks recall performances that John Phillips, Denny Doherty and I gave at Lena's around 1985.
     The occasion was a series of benefits to raise money for Lena so she could get some new teeth. Some time later that year I returned to say hello, and when Lena saw me she grinned as wide a toothy smile as I've ever seen before or after.
     Since I am the original poster boy for cluelessness, I had no idea what she was doing; I thought maybe she had taken acid or was coming on to me. Speechless, I just stare at her, not knowing what to do or say, and she just stared back, widening her grin.
     Finally she realized I had no idea why she was grinning and said "My TEETH, Scott, my TEETH! Look, aren't they great?"
     We both laughed, and, yes, her new teeth were indeed great. And so was Lena.

Scott McKenzie is the singer of the 1967 hit "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)", a member of the Journeymen and a long time friend of John Philips of the Mama and Papas.

In 1986, original Papa's Denny Doherty and John Phillips, with Mackenzie Phillips (John Phillips daughter) and Spanky McFarlane (ex Spanky and Our Gang) as female vocalists took a new version of the group onto the nostalgia circuit.

When Denny left the Mamas and Papas, Scott joined John Phillips as the second Papa. However, when John left due to ill health, Denny returned and Scott took the role vacated by John Phillips. Scott retired as a member of the Mamas and Papas at the end of 1998
.