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The Mamas & The Papas
Folk rock vocal group
The Mamas & the Papas were an American folk rock vocal group that recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968, with a brief reunion in 1971. The group was a defining force in the music scene of the counterculture of the 1960s.
Formed in New York City, the group consisted of Americans John Phillips, Cass Elliot, and Michelle Phillips, and Canadian Denny Doherty. Its sound was based on vocal harmonies arranged by John Phillips – the songwriter and leader of the group – who adapted folk to the new beat style of the early 1960s.
members: Scott McKenzie, John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Cass Elliot, Jill Gibson, Deb Lyons, Denny Doherty, MacKenzie Phillips
formed in: Los Angeles
labels: Dunhill, RCA Victor, IL
genres: folk rock, sunshine pop
awards: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Facts from Wikidata and Discogs, free to use.
sunshine popfolk popfolk rockpoppop rock2008 universal fire victim
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1965: Formation and beginnings
The Mamas & the Papas was formed by the husband and wife John Phillips (formerly of the Journeymen) and Michelle Phillips, along with Denny Doherty (formerly of the Mugwumps). Both of these earlier acts were folk groups active in 1964 and 1965. The last member to join was Cass Elliot, Doherty's bandmate in the Mugwumps, who had to overcome John Phillips's concerns that her voice was too low for his arrangements, that her obesity would be an obstacle to the band's success, and that her temperament was incompatible with his (Elliot struggled with obesity all her life and felt deeply insecure about her physical appearance). The group considered calling itself the Magic Cyrcle before switching to the Mamas & the Papas, inspired by the Hells...
The Mamas & the Papas was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2009. Cass Elliot and Michelle Phillips, as "the Mamas", were ranked No. 21 on the VH1 network's list of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock.
John Phillips, Michelle Phillips and Denny Doherty performed in the New Journeymen, a temporary group put together to fulfill contractual obligations after the original trio’s breakup. In 1965, the three of them headed to St. Thomas, in the US Virgin Islands, to write and to rehearse. They were joined by the alto-voiced Cass Elliot. The foursome relocated to Los Angeles, where they signed to Lou Adler’s Dunhill label. After briefly calling themselves the Magic Circle, they took the name The Mamas and The Papas.
They broke up in 1968 and reunited briefly in 1971. In 1982, the group was reformed, including founding member Denny Doherty and two new “Mamas”: Mackenzie Phillips (daughter of John) and Elaine “Spanky” McFarlane, a longtime friend who had sung with Spanky and Our Gang. Another version of the band, including only John Phillips from the original line-up, released the live album 'Californa Dreamin: Live in Concert' in 1995.
Owners of Honest John Studios, built in John & Michelle Phillips' home at Bel Air, California.
The Mamas and The Papas were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 (Performer).
Also known as: Everyone, I Mamas & Papas, Las Mamas Y Los Papas, Mama And The Papas, Mama Cass
From Discogs (free to use). Their entry
Liner notes
The Mamas & The Papas, the records, oldest first
Dancing in the Street
1966 ep
I Saw Her Again
1966 ep
If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears
1966 album
wanted
Monday, Monday
1966 ep
The Mamas & the Papas
1966 album
Deliver
1967 album
Dedicated to the One I Love
1967 ep
The Papas & the Mamas
1968 album
People Like Us
1971 album
California Dreamin'
1980 ep
Greatest Hits: The Mamas & The Papas
year unknown album
Records from MusicBrainz; covers from the Cover Art Archive.
"California Dreamin'" is a song written by John and Michelle Phillips. The best-known version is by the Mamas & the Papas, who released it as a single in December 1965.
Background
The Beach Boys recorded "California Dreamin'" in 1986 for their greatest hits compilation Made in U.S.A. It was produced by Terry Melcher and featured Roger McGuinn of the Byrds on 12-string guitar. This version of the song was referenced in the lyrics of the Dead Milkmen's 1988 novelty hit "Punk Rock Girl".
