Singer Leah Kunkel (née Cohen), 76, died on Nov. 26. Kunkel was the younger sister of Cass Elliott (who had one of the loveliest voices of the 20th century) and, like Lorna Luft, Kunkel could never overcome the shadow of her sibling. She recorded two albums (writing some of the songs), and was an in-demand session vocalist for Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Art Garfunkel, Carly Simon, and others. She also recorded and performed with the Coyote Sisters (the other sisters being Marty Gwinn Townsend and Renée Armand). Kunkel had a lovely, smooth voice, not as strong or distinctive as her sister’s, but nothing to sneeze at, either. In later years, she earned a law degree, practicing mostly entertainment law. Kunkel raised her niece after Cass Elliott died (of a heart attack, not a ham sandwich).
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