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The Mamas & the Papas were one of the most successful folk rock acts of the late 1960s. Comprising John Phillips, his wife Michelle, Denny Doherty, and Cass Elliot, the vocal quartet were responsible for creating a string of hit songs including 'California Dreamin'' and 'Monday, Monday.' But the music hid a darker side, behind-the-scenes upheavals that included affairs and heartbreak, breakups and reunions, and an alarming escalation of substance abuse. Later still, long after the band had split, shocking allegations of an incestuous relationship involving one of its members surfaced and turned the spotlight back on the group that was once considered a defining force in the music scene of the era.
Click through and be reminded of the Mamas & the Papas and their lives, loves, and legacy.
The Mamas & the Papas were an American folk rock quartet made up of John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Cass Elliot, and Denny Doherty.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1965, the vocal group became a defining force in the music scene of the counterculture of the 1960s, and were famed for their pleasing and often intricate four-part harmonies.
John Phillips was born in Parris Island, South Carolina on August 30, 1935.
Born Ellen Naomi Cohen on September 19, 1941, "Mama" Cass Elliot came from Baltimore, Maryland.
Dennis "Denny" Doherty was Canadian, born on November 29, 1940 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Michelle Phillips was the wife of John Phillips. She was born on June 4, 1944 in Long Beach, California.
Denny Doherty and Cass Elliot were previously members of New York City-based folk rock band the Mugwumps, which also included John Sebastian and Zal Yanovsky, both of whom would later go on to co-found the Lovin' Spoonful.
John Phillips was formally one of the Journeymen, a folk music trio that also numbered Scott McKenzie and Richard Weissman.
John Phillips and wife Michelle are credited with forming the Mamas & the Papas in early 1965. Denny Doherty was invited to join shortly afterwards.
Cass Elliot was last to join. John Phillips was at first reluctant to accept Elliot into the group, citing her voice, which he thought was too deep for his musical arrangements, and her obesity, which he considered a potential obstacle to the band's success.
Written by John and Michelle Phillips, 'California Dreamin'' was released in December 1965 to become the Mamas & the Papas' first hit. The following year the group released their debut album, 'If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears.'
'If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears' spawned 'Monday, Monday,' the group's only no. 1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, and the first time in history a song by a mixed-gender group reached the top of the charts.
Between touring the United States, the band found time to record a second album, 'The Mamas & the Papas,' released in September 1966.
Michelle Phillips had always been a believer in free love, and her marriage to John didn't keep her from having an affair with Denny Doherty. Their liaison was later forgiven by John Phillips, but Michelle would shortly stray again.
While recording 'The Mamas & the Papas' Michelle Phillips let slip that she was having an affair with Gene Clark of the rock band the Byrds. John Phillips was furious, and kicked her out of the group.
The three other members hired visual artist and singer-songwriter Jill Gibson to replace Michelle. Gibson subsequently took part in concerts, TV appearances, and recordings. But she lacked her predecessor's stage charisma, and by August 1966 Michelle had been reinstated.
Work on their third album, 'The Mamas & The Papas Deliver,' began in the autumn of 1966. 'Dedicated to the One I Love' was the big hit taken from the album. Another single, 'Creeque Alley,' is noted for its autobiographical lyrics: the song narrates the story of how the group was formed, and its early years.
A rather lackluster performance at the June 1967 Monterey International Pop Festival was eclipsed in September by the band's appearance at the Hollywood Bowl (pictured) in September in front of 18,000 fans. Jimi Hendrix was the opening act.
September 1967 also saw the Mamas & the Papas appear as guests on 'The Ed Sullivan Show.' Among the numbers they performed was the aforementioned 'Creeque Alley.'
The Mamas & the Papas made headlines in Britain in October 1967 when Cass Elliot (pictured center with detectives), was arrested for stealing two blankets and a hotel key when in the country the previous February. She spent a night in custody before the case was dismissed in court the following day. The event traumatized Elliot, who was on the brink of leaving the band.
In May 1968 the Mamas & the Papas released their fourth studio album, 'The Papas & The Mamas.' It contained a cover version of the 1931 song 'Dream a Little Dream of Me,' with Cass Elliot on lead vocals. It was a huge success, especially in the UK. It convinced Cass Elliott to pursue a solo career.
By the end of 1968, the Mamas & the Papas had effectively disbanded, though the band were contractually obliged to produce one more album. Meanwhile Cass Elliot, billed as Mama Cass, released her solo debut 'Dream a Little Dream.'
The Mamas & the Papas' last album of new material, 'People Like Us' was released in November 1971. It had been an unhappy and unfulfilling recording. Band members were rarely together at one time and most tracks were dubbed, one vocal at a time.
The Mamas & the Papas were caught in good humor in this late 1971 photograph, but it was all for show. With contractual obligations fulfilled, the band's split was final.
Cass Elliot enjoyed a hit-and-miss solo career. Illness plagued her in Las Vegas when rumors began to spread of her heroin use. But appearances on television shows in the early 1970s raised her profile, and by 1973 she was back in form.
In July 1974, Elliot performed a fortnight of concerts as a solo performer at the London Palladium. After closing night, she celebrated with various friends before returning to her apartment. Sometime during the night of July 29, 1974, Cass Elliot died in her sleep of a heart attack. She was 32. Four years later in a bizarre coincidence, The Who's drummer Keith Moon died in the same room in the same apartment, also aged 32 years.
John and Michelle Phillips are seen attending the funeral for their friend and colleague at Groman Mortuary on August 2, 1974 in Los Angeles, California.
By the 1980s, John Phillips, now married for the third time, continued recording and appearing on stage. But many of his musical projects were derailed because of an increased dependency on drugs.
In the early 1980s, Phillips together with bandmate Denny Doherty formed the New Mamas & the Papas. The were joined by Spanky McFarlane (left in photo) and Phillips' daughter, MacKenzie Phillips, from his marriage to second wife Susan Adams.
In January 1998, the surviving members of the Mamas & the Papas were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in New York City. Owen Elliot (not pictured) stood in to receive the award for her mother, Cass Elliot.
Alcohol and drug use by both Phillips and his daughter ended with John Phillips' death on March 18, 2001. In September 2009, eight years after Phillips's death, Mackenzie (pictured) claimed that she and her father had a 10-year incestuous relationship. She made the sensational allegation while appearing on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' to publicize her book, 'High on Arrival.'
Denny Doherty remained with the New Mamas & the Papas until 1993, after which he appeared sporadically on television shows in the US and Canada. Doherty died on January 19, 2007, at his home in Mississauga, Ontario, very likely from kidney failure, though the exact cause of death was never divulged.
After the Mamas & the Papas and her divorce from John Phillips, Michelle Phillips transitioned into acting.
Her movie appearances include the critically acclaimed 'Dillinger,' costarring Warren Oates. For her role as Billie Frechette, Phillips was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer.
During her time in Hollywood, Phillips dated some of the biggest names in cinema, including Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty.
Today, Michelle Phillips, the last surviving member of the Mamas & the Papas, divides her time between television and film appearances, making music, and writing.
Sources: (Vogue) (Vanity Fair) (HuffPost)
See also: Multiracial bands that made history
The Mamas & the Papas: their lives, loves, and legacy
The behind-the-scenes upheavals of one of America's most successful folk rock acts
MUSIC Bands
The Mamas & the Papas were one of the most successful folk rock acts of the late 1960s. Comprising John Phillips, his wife Michelle, Denny Doherty, and Cass Elliot, the vocal quartet were responsible for creating a string of hit songs including 'California Dreamin'' and 'Monday, Monday.' But the music hid a darker side, behind-the-scenes upheavals that included affairs and heartbreak, breakups and reunions, and an alarming escalation of substance abuse. Later still, long after the band had split, shocking allegations of an incestuous relationship involving one of its members surfaced and turned the spotlight back on the group that was once considered a defining force in the music scene of the era.
Click through and be reminded of the Mamas & the Papas and their lives, loves, and legacy.