Michelle Phillips Singer Songwriter
Actress NFTs sells for $100,000
“California Girl” Michelle Phillips, actress, co-writer of several songs for The Mamas & The Papas, and lead vocalist auctioned 10 “non-fungible tokens” or “NFTs,” of her hand drawn sketch of the group’s image through ViciNFT June 29, netting $100,000 in Ether, the popular cryptocurrency. (NFT is a term for digital memorabilia recorded to a blockchain; in this case, the Ethereum blockchain.) The auction gives 25% to support the Painted Turtle, which offers its flagship “Camp for Kids” with serious medical conditions.
“I am delighted to be able to help so many children through these auctions,” Michelle Phillips said.
The video of the original artwork by Phillips and the digital drawing was included in the NFT while the original artwork was accepted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There were 10 identical NFTs; each sold for $10,000. Every successful initial winning bidder also received an invitation to have dinner with a plus one at the PASTINA restaurant, with Ms. Phillips, in Westwood California in late September 2021.
The drawing by Michelle’s hand is authenticated online.
Now these NFTs potentially enter the second phase – resale by the buyers.
“These NFTs will increase in value as icons of this era.” Says Bill Gladstone, Partner in ViciNFT Corporation. “Michelle represents the essence of the California musical and cultural transformation of the 1960s which has impacted the world for more than fifty years,” he added.
Her original “California Girl” memorabilia is digitized into this collectible, including her original signature and a fabulous hand-drawn portrait of the Mamas and the Papas. The NFT also includes a video of the making of the drawing and signature, along with a dedicated message to the winning bidder.
While working as a model in San Francisco, Michelle met and married John Phillips in 1962 and went on to co-found the vocal group the Mamas and the Papas in 1965. The band rose to fame with their popular singles “California Dreamin'” and “Creeque Alley,” both of which she co-wrote.
The Painted Turtle began as a dream in 1999 when Paul Newman and Page Adler, along with a group of other dedicated individuals, co-founded The Painted Turtle to let kids with medical conditions just be kids. Through the ongoing commitment of these individuals, many of whom sit on the board today, the dream of The Painted Turtle became a reality.
Lou Adler legendary music producer who signed the Mamas & the Papas to Dunhill, producing six top-five hits for the group, including “California Dreamin’” and ” Monday, Monday” says, “Michelle Phillips’ beauty and attitude was and is the image of the original “California Girl” and the harmony she has brought to the world through her involvement in music is matched only by the kindness she has shown for those in need.”
“Fortunately, The Painted Turtle is one of the recipients of that kindness. Michelle Phillips’ NFT which includes a whimsical drawing of the Mamas & Papas will be a priceless treasure for the winning bidder,” Adler added. “The Painted Turtle is grateful that they will receive 25% of the winning bid that will allow them to continue to provide life-changing camp experiences to children with serious medical conditions. On behalf of those children, thank you, Michelle. And thank you to the auction bidders.”
According to ViciNFT co-founder Jordan French, ViciNFT manages digital assets and auctions, is the leader in artist and enterprise digital-asset management. Its partnerships encompass non-fungible token (NFT) creation and management, smart contracts, blockchain technology development, and cryptocurrency-based auction management. Earlier this year, ViciNFT designed and built an auction recorded to the blockchain for Smithsonian-affiliated Aquarium of the Bay for a famed “Sea Bass NFT” that sold for $13,700.
