Michelle. My Belle. These are words that go together well. The Beatles did not write that song about Miss Phillips, but they certainly could have. The two songs of theirs she recorded with The Mamas and The Papas ('Words of Love' and 'I Call Your Name') made a nice big pile of money for Lennon and McCartney.

There has been a lot written about Michelle. An ocean of ink. The quintessential California Girl. The Purest Soprano in Popdom. Legend, Lover, Muse. Her career as a singer and actress is as well documented as her legendary love life. I have known her public persona since 1966. I met her personally for the first time backstage at The Palomino nightclub on my birthday (April 15th) in 1983. This is a woman to celebrate. A straight shooter. A force of nature. Loyal and fearless. A dream. And so much damn fun!

I took this photograph Thursday January 23, 2003 at Michele's home in Los Angeles. (For more on Michelle check out my Bio-Tale: California Dreaming)