Mama Cass met Eric Clapton on a TV show featuring The Mamas and Papas and Cream. It was his first time in L.A. and he didn't know anybody. She invited him to a picnic in her backyard with her friends, who were Joni Mitchell, David Crosby, Micky Dolenz, Gary Burden and his wife, Annette, and me. Joni sang under the birch trees. Eric was fascinated with her obscure tunings. David was offering me the doobie. All was well in Laurel Canyon.