Scott McKenzie is a famous American singer, remembered by most Russian-speaking listeners for the hit San Francisco.
Childhood and youth of the artist Scott McKenzie
The future pop-folk star was born on January 10, 1939 in Florida. Then the Mackenzie family moved to Virginia, where the boy spent his youth. There he first met John Phillips - "Papa John", who later created the famous band The Mamas & the Papas.
The musicians met through their parents - Phillips' father was an acquaintance of Scott's mother. By the time fate brought two future stars together at one of the "apartment" performances, John was already popular with a small audience, arranging home concerts. Having got to one of these events, Scott, who already had little experience in performing, asked to speak at it and received a satisfactory response.
Communication began between young people. The guys were very fond of music and were soon looking for talented performers for their first band, The Abstracts. Having created a team, the guys performed for different audiences in local clubs.
The Smoothies and The Journeymen
After gaining a foothold in the local venues, Scott, John and their friends traveled to New York where they met the first music agent. Having changed the name to The Smoothies, the guys were already performing in New York clubs. In 1960, they even prepared several songs. The producer of these singles was the notorious Milt Gabler.
Then the folk style became popular in Western music. Deciding to keep up with popular trends, Scott and John created the trio The Journeymen, inviting the famous banjoist Dick Weismann as the "third" one. The team successfully recorded three records, but he failed to enjoy great popularity.
New Wave and Downturn in Scott McKenzie's Career
In the mid-1960s, there was the popular Liverpool Four, which turned the world of music upside down. The sympathies of the listeners instantly changed, and Phillips suggested that Scott change his sound style and create a new group. Mackenzie was then already ripe for another important decision - the start of a solo career. The paths of the musicians diverged, but the friendship between them remained strong.
While the group The Mamas & the Papas collected full houses, Mackenzie was in creative search. The artist's affairs were not very successful, but Phillips soon came to his aid. He gave a friend one of his fresh songs, not yet announced anywhere. The composition was called San Francisco, and it was she who gave a powerful start to Scott's future career.
Absolute Hit by Scott Mackenzie
The studio version of San Francisco was recorded overnight at the LA Sound Factory. Scott's friends arranged a meditation session during the recording, sitting around the musicians playing in the studio and listening to every note. Recording members included both Phillips (guitarist) and Wrecking Crew member Joe Osbourne (bassist), as well as future Bread musician Larry Natchell.
McKenzie's San Francisco premiered on May 13, 1967. The song almost instantly hit the top of most English-language music charts. The composition even managed to take the 4th position in the Billboard Hot 100. In total, more than 7 million copies of the single were sold.
Critics attributed the overwhelming success of the song to the heyday of the hippie era and the massive “pilgrimage” of young people belonging to this subculture to San Francisco. The lines about flowers in your hair (Besure to wear some flowers in your hair) only confirm this version.
San Francisco has also become the unofficial anthem of Vietnam veterans. Thousands of US soldiers were returning from hot spots to ports on the peninsula. The song about love, peace and a bright summer at home has become for many fighters a symbol of hope for a brighter future. Mackenzie treated this with understanding - in his interviews, he repeatedly mentioned that he dedicates the composition to Vietnam veterans.
First albums
Scott's debut work The Voice of Scott McKenzie (1967) received some notoriety. Although the popularity of the previous single, none of his songs could be repeated. The track listing of the album consists of 10 tracks, three of which were written by Mackenzie.
The second album, Stained Glass Morning (1970), was even less popular than the first. The lack of attention from the public could not but upset the musician. Scott decided to end his career and went to Palm Springs. Already in 1973 he returned to Virginia.
In 1986, Mackenzie reasserted himself. This time - as part of the Phillips group, which was sensational at the time. Scott took part in the band's concerts until 1998.
Circumstances of Scott Mackenzie's death
Scott McKenzie has died at 73. His body was found on August 18, 2012 at his home in Los Angeles. The official cause of death was a heart attack.
