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Scott McKenzie Obituary
A statement on McKenzie's website says the 73-year-old died on Saturday in Los Angeles. McKenzie battled Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disease that affects the nervous system, and had been in and out of the hospital since 2010.
"San Francisco" was written by John Phillips, the leader of the 1960s group The Mamas and the Papas. But McKenzie sang it and it has stood as an anthem for the 1960s counterculture movement.
McKenzie also co-wrote "Kokomo," a No. 1 hit for The Beach Boys in 1988, and toured with The Mamas and the Papas in the 1990s.
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
156 Entries
jae que
July 20, 2025
Thank you Scott for a beautiful song. As I awoke this morning your song was
playing in my head so I got on Youtube to hear it. Your singing filled me with
love hearing it again just as it did when I first heard at age 12 in 1967.
Peace!!
Arneta Forde
July 10, 2025
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
BEVERLY SUE EDDY
April 6, 2025
Bill Harren
September 11, 2024
I remember him from the Monterey Pop Festival 1967. May you rest in Peace.
How you can show support
Eve
January 27, 2024
Great voice
John Lewis
July 19, 2022
What a loss to family and everyone. Great songs , great voice. It was a part of growing up in the 1960s and I always associate with the 1960 when I hear the record .
Herb Ross AZ
June 7, 2022
My Favorite Song ! I was in San Francisco at that time. Play it often and sing it often. Thank You Scott
Meta miranda
September 14, 2021
I was a young teenager when San Francisco was released just that beautiful voice touched my soal and till this at 67 I still listen to it and the memories start pouring in what a talent lv u Scott good soal rip xo
DM
January 16, 2021
Most beautiful male voice I have ever listened to. RIP Scott.
Angie Stubbs
August 18, 2020
Scott it's eight years today of your passing. Still listening to all those beautiful songs you sang. Love you always Angie .
Debra Aulenbacher. Johnson. Marr
April 4, 2020
I will never forget his Songs .and great Music. He will live on in our memories forever.
Julie
February 19, 2020
Scott, you'll never know how much your beautiful voice and gentle soul were loved. Thank you.
Jimmy Padgett
November 30, 2018
Scott i know you're gone but that song was so great i think u never realized till later in life what an impact u made on the music scene with that song to so many people. I was but 13 years old that summer but ill never forget you nor that song always. Thank you Scott. Rest in peace man u deserve it.
Angie Stubbs
August 18, 2018
Scott it's six years ago today you left us. We still hear your beautiful voice singing. Love you always Angie
Angie Stubbs
August 18, 2017
Scott. It's five years today of your passing. Glad to have met you. What a lovely person you were . Love you always Angie
July 28, 2017
Dear Mr.Mckenzie, I thought your disappearance was because you retired but finally I found out that you passed away. I'm very sad,I miss you,I used to follow you when I was a teenager,I love your face,your voice that impress me.Thank you for your beautiful songs. The Lord God please receive his spirit,Amen. Malinee Woods- New Zealand
Tom Strittmatter
October 28, 2016
I was in the hospital, battling my own case of Guillian Barre on that August day in 01 when Scott died. It's now Oct 2016 & I still have lingering effects of this terrible disease. San Francisco, one of my fav songs from my generation.
Debra atherley
April 23, 2015
Scott, ride that Mighty Appaloosa into that beautiful place...His name is Andrew and he was mighty. He came to be with you to keep you safe..You both will be in my heart.. Until we meet in a better place, love goes to you both...
Harry Simpson
August 18, 2014
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us. Eternal flowers in your hair now.
Janeen Christensen
June 3, 2014
Your beautiful voice, your face, your song....all part of my life forever. Thank you, my friend.
Gloria Lim
August 17, 2013
Dear Scott, I love you and miss you. It has been a difficult year without your wit, silliness, wisdom, kindness, and love. Tomorrow is the anniversary of your leaving us. I hope Spider is keeping you company while you smile down at us. May your spirit shine forever. Gloria, one of the Asylummates
Lee
November 5, 2012
Dear Sunshine. Your place in my heart will remain forever. Thank you for your love, your compassion, your humor and your heart. My stories will still be part of our Asylum but will not shine without your light. Sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite. Love
Candy Foss
September 20, 2012
Dear Sweet Scott...a beautiful man with a beautiful voice. Your passing has left a hole in my heart, I will never forget you and will love you forever. I hope to meet you when my time comes. xoxoxox
Candy Foss
September 20, 2012
Dear Sweet Scott, your passing has left a hole in my heart, I will never forget you and will love you forever. I know we will meet when my time comes. xxxxxx
Candy Foss
September 20, 2012
Dear Sweet Scott, your passing has left a hole in my heart. A beautiful man with a beautiful voice...I will never forget you and will love you forever. I know we will meet when my time comes.
Annie (Big Easy)
August 28, 2012
Thank you Scott for giving us the legendary music that has been a pillar in our American. Proast with a flower in your hair!
teri sterinberg
August 27, 2012
I'll be seeing you again at Pittsburgh Manor !
Marcia Wooton
August 27, 2012
You will always be Phillip to me. I remember.... and the cottage in Montreat remembers.
Robert Starbuck
August 26, 2012
RIP Scott, my your music play forever ! b&g Starbuck
Helen Macdonald
August 26, 2012
RIP you wonderful man, such a gentle soul. Missing you.
Keith McElwee
August 26, 2012
Memories of my youth in those tumultuous years! Rest weary traveller and find PEACE!
Leslie Sahlen
August 26, 2012
Thanks for the memories and music dear one.
Scott and Bobby 1989-ish
Leslie Sahlen
August 26, 2012
Michele Marotta
August 26, 2012
You are greatly missed.
August 26, 2012
Always a friend though we physically went different ways after 1963-
tina mcwilliams
August 26, 2012
I will miss you.....RIP...LET YOUR SOUL SOAR FREE.
Corinne Haousley
August 26, 2012
RIP!
Mark Preston
August 26, 2012
You will be missed friend...
Barb Poudrier
August 25, 2012
Still with us because we all remember.
Cheryl-Lyn Keys
August 25, 2012
peace love and fly high beautiful man and thank you for the music, your songs will live on even though you may not be with us, you are in our hearts. xxx
A great time after a "Happy Together Tour" from many many years ago!! R.I.P. Scott....
August 25, 2012
Mark Sgro
August 25, 2012
It was great photographing shows over the years with you Scott and hanging after the shows some great times R.I.P. Scott!
Sandy
August 25, 2012
Another singer/songwriter in God's choir.
Bob Burdette
August 24, 2012
That one song San Francisco probably had more effect on my life then any other....
Teresa Zethof
August 24, 2012
You will always be a part of me....
Teresa Zethof
August 24, 2012
RIP - you will always be loved, Teresa Zethof
Julia Semans
August 24, 2012
His biggest hit has always been one of my very favorite songs since the first time I heard it. I have heard it every day throughout my life, even if only in my head! Thanks for your beautiful voice, and we will never forget you....
A R
August 24, 2012
Scott McKenzie will truly be missed. His songs are some of the greatest. My heart goes out to his family as they have to deal through this heartache and grief. A comforting thought is that soon God will end death forever and he will wipe the tears from all faces. This is a peaceful time all look foward to.
SHORTY KOPPELMAN
August 23, 2012
you made us poweful people..RIP
ann thomas
August 23, 2012
Sing happy!
Rainbow Hippie
August 23, 2012
When I get to Summerland, I'll know you by the flowers in your hair. RIP Scott.
Grzegorz Szczepaniak
August 23, 2012
Bedzie brakowac tak wspanialego muzyka
Don & Linda
August 22, 2012
We will always remember Scott & his music...
michele
August 22, 2012
To the McKenzie family,
Many years ago my husband & I were vacationing in Va. Beach and were lucky enough to see him live. I still have an autograph that he gave us & that was in the 70's. My prayers go out to all. He was a great & talented man.
Faith Tobin
August 21, 2012
Dear MCKENZIE Family my name is Faith tobin and I'd like to express my condolences's to the Family.he'll surely be missed very much.luv,Faith
Rebecca Gilmore
August 21, 2012
You are with your dear cat now, just steppin' on out onto a cloud! Will keep reading "The Assylum" on FB.
Bonnie Quilon
August 21, 2012
So very missed
Bonnie Quilon
August 21, 2012
As a child remember going on vacation to San Francisco and loved hearing him sing this song! To this day I have very fond memories of Scott and his music. Happy journey Scott, see you again someday.
August 21, 2012
All across the nation,such a strange vibration,people in mourning. (A slight word change to suit)
viviane goris
August 21, 2012
me and scott calgery
viviane goris
August 21, 2012
Thank you Scott for you lovely voice ,and for your friendship i am so happy to meet you , will miss you
emmy taylor
August 21, 2012
Scott, you are love, you are light, fly away my dear friend and sing for the angels, i love you
Linda Ingrid Lundgren
August 21, 2012
I knew instantly that I loved Scott from the very first time I heard his beautiful tune. He was a gentle and loving soul who so aptly defined the times through his beautiful song "San Francisco." May the flowers bloom forever more...@}~~
Peggy DeBellis Bruce
August 21, 2012
Thank you, Scott, for your gift of music, for your poems & stories & for spending time w/me, a young singer, in the 70s. I miss you, already...
Adrian Marler
August 21, 2012
I feel so fortunate to have known you and your beautiful soul. Hugs and prayers. You will be missed.
Sharon Cathcart
August 21, 2012
Thank you for the friendship, and for the music. Until we meet again, Dr. McFrenzie.
Rosalia de Castro
August 21, 2012
Cuando me enteré de tu partida no me lo he podido creer. Para mí ésto da fin del verano.Sin tí los años 60' no hubieran sido lo mismo.Tuviste la suerte de cantar en Woodstock,Monterey Pop Festival con grandes personas y artistas como Janis Joplin,Jimi Hendrix.Todos ellos paradigmas en la música.Estuve leyendo anoche todos los mensajes de tus amigos y conocidos en FB.Algunos te pusieron unos hot.dogs en forma de tortugas para que repusieses fuerzas en tu viaje. Gracias por tus canciones y por hacernos creer que ciertamente podemos crear un mundo mejor.
Saluda a quiénes tu sabes de mi parte y dales flores para que se las pongan en su cabeza.Hace un mes le dije a mis amigos que el paraíso en La Tierra fue San Francisco de los años 65-67',lo sigo creyendo.Es una pena que no haya podido intercambiar contigo ideas del mov.beat,de por qué quisistes ser guiatrrista de jazz.Etc.Let your spirit soal and having a Groovy time.<3
Susana Chamorro
August 21, 2012
Soy española. Desde pequeña escuchaba "San Francisco" pero nunca supe quién la cantaba, hasta ahora. Un poco tarde. Es una canción preciosa aunque entonces no la entendiera. Descansa en paz Scott. Siempre estarás en mi recuerdo con esta canción.
Hunter George
August 21, 2012
Thanks for your music, your humor and most of all for your friendship. Whenever I hear a whippoorwill I will think of you.
Nat Schiro James Nantais
August 20, 2012
Dear, gentle, soulful Scott... many thanks for all the sweet memory-making you helped to create, our years together on Silverwood Terrace! Never have we met a more loving and kind human being than you dear man! Now go and spread your LOVE on the other side... for surely they wear flowers there too! We shall forever keep you and your message in our hearts, until we meet again.
Tom Anderson
August 20, 2012
Remember song on AFVN 1968-69 and ever since. Enjoyed every time. Comfort to your loving family. See you later in heaven.
Marjo Th
August 20, 2012
Merci Scott pour ta voix, et pour cette si belle chanson "San Francisco" qui en tant fait rêver...Vous vivrez dans nos coeurs comme un doux souvenir d'un temps merveilleux.
Karen Domenech
August 20, 2012
Scott will be missed but thankfully we will have his music will live with us forever. May his family find solace in knowing that he was appreciated by all his fans.
Polly Campbell Watson
August 20, 2012
A sad day for all you friends, you are loved so much & will be missed by all of us. You and Don Spider enjoy your new life together (pain free). My love always.
Sharon English
August 20, 2012
A beautiful, beautiful spirit...
RHONDA BLYTH
August 20, 2012
REST PEACEFULLY SCOTT~ THAT WONDERFUL VOICE OF YOURS WILL LIVE ON IN ALL OUR HEARTS~ XOXOXO
Martha Miller
August 20, 2012
So very sorry to lose such a legend of my time - a very beautiful voice. God bless and may you rest in heaven.
Scott Chamberland
August 20, 2012
Rest in Peace
Saori
August 20, 2012
Sin Scott el verano del amor hubiese sido distitnto.La primera vez que escuché la canción de :San Francisco fue toda una experiencia estética. A diferencia de otros músicos rebosa un aureola de ternura,generosidad,inocencia,etc. Si trasciede en el tiempo es porque la imagen qeu se tiene de él es la que tiene.Espero que tengas un buen viaje hacia el otro lado y saludes de mi parte al resto de los mejores músicos que conocistes en vida(Cómo en el Festival de Monterrey). Un abrazo que te salten las chispas.
Don Craddock
August 20, 2012
Wish I had known you as I think you were a special person. RIP
August 20, 2012
I didn't get to meet you,personally, but I got to know you on FaceBook....you were such a kind,sweet,soul....You will be missed by many....
Sherry Briggs
August 20, 2012
Thanks for the uplifting and funny messages we exchanged about our neuro issues...you cheered me and it was a delight to be a part of the 'asylum.' Your gentle, loving heart touched thousands of lives...The world has lost another poet...
MARILYN GOTFRIED
August 20, 2012
So sorry for your loss
A Forever Fan
August 20, 2012
I was too young to appreciate San Francisco when it first came out, but when music started to interest me and sadly nothing from the 70's appealed to me, I went back to the music of the 60's and have loved so much of the music from that time. My favorite song is San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair). How sad I felt this morning when hearing that Scott had passed away. Just last week while on vacation I heard the song on the radio and no one in the car was allowed to speak as I cranked it up for everyone to enjoy. I explained to my 14 year old niece that there was a time when one could actually understand the words sung in a song and songs truly had meaning! Scott will never be forgotten.
Marc Robinson
August 20, 2012
An insightful and decent man. His words will be missed.
Joycey Harville
August 20, 2012
GOD Bless you Dear Scott, Thank you for opening up your Doc McFrenzie room to the world. You had so many people who loved you. I will miss your posts but will always remain in your room.. Your music will live for ever... We all Miss you Scott..
Linda Jackson
August 20, 2012
I was saddened to learn of Scott McKenzie's passing. I have always loved If You're Going to San Francisco, such a nice song. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Kathy Palone
August 20, 2012
Today Heaven has another voice in the glorious choir. "San Francisco" has been my all-time favorite song..with all the music I've known in my 55 years,the first notes of that song still send a chill down my spine,even though I've heard it hundreds of thousands of times..Scott, thank your for your music. This midwestern transplant has never been to Haight-Ashbury, but your song made me a part of it. This morning, a FB question was posed.."name the song you're listening to right now, that's the song they'll play at your funeral. I thought"I can only hope my son will be that insightful".The song was "San Francisco, which is the first music of my every day,and then I read this news. My condolences to Scott's family, and my thanks to God for this wonderful gift he shared with us.I will miss you so.
Barbara Loury
August 20, 2012
I am so very blessed to have met this sweet man in this very unusal way.... Of course I loved his music.. but his wit, his writings, the way he loved animals and people.. You've made an impact on my life Scott.. I'll never forget you & the family I've come to love... God bless you always..
Jeff Fessenden
August 20, 2012
Scott-San,
Thanks for so many things..for taking me in my first week in Cal, for your gentleness and humor. The Asylum is one of your great creations, the level of Silliness, unsurpassed..thx for the straight jacket, I'll never take it off. And thanks for some truly wonderful friends that I met thru you. And...thanks for some of my favorite tunes. I love you, just like all the others do. Bless you.
Lake Mead Oct 1992
Candy Eaton
August 20, 2012
I will never forget the fun we had on the M and P's tour in 92' we would laugh so hard til tears would stream down our faces...I will never forget your infectious laughter, your humor and your beautiful smile. You will be so greatly missed <3 Candy
Rachel C
August 20, 2012
what a great musician, may he rest in peace
Adrian Barnette
August 20, 2012
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Robbin Thompson
August 20, 2012
We sang many a bad jingle together my friend. I will miss you dearly and our internet conversations. I only wish, as do many others, that I could have had a good sit with you before your parting this world. Btw...your recent photo looks a lot better than the one I'm lookin' at now. Keep in touch somehow...I know you will.
Anita Lorance
August 20, 2012
scott i'm glad your pain is gone and that you are with Don Spider and your friend's that passed on before you. your music will live forever and i will always remember you and your witty word's love and peace my friend Anita
Timothy Markonis
August 20, 2012
So long, Doc. It was a real privilege to be able to get to know you and share in some of the lightness and laughter that you permitted to flourish within the sanctity of your social safehouse we fellow "inmates" all lovingly called "Scott's Asylum". Rest assured we will all carry on as best we can, and hopefully, if we listen very attentively, we might yet faintly hear your golden voice as your spirit occasionally drops in to bless and/or scold us.
I am of course saddened by the news of your passing over, but heartened by the fact that your long physical travails, that you bore so stoicly and quietly, and only sometimes publicly, are now at an end. Go in peace now, as you must, and I know I speak for countless others when I express my very heart-felt "Thank You, Scott" for what you have left us.
Your fellow "McFrenzie Asylumite" and friend,
Tim
Janice Vowles
August 20, 2012
Dear Scott, thankyou for being my FB friend. I feel so privileged to have been part of your 'Asylum'. You introduced me to so many wonderful new friends.Thankyou for your wonderful music, your stories and your humour. RIP dear friend. x
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