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The Mamas and the Papas

• in contrast to the blending of the folk style with harder rock sounds as in The Byrds, The Mamas & Papas had a softer rock style with clear-sounding vocal harmonies
  • John Phillips - fairly typical path as Greenwich Village folk singer
  • Michelle Phillips - vocalist & wife of John Phillips
  • Mama Cass Elliot (Ellen Cohen) - folk singer (Mugwumps with husband James Hendricks, Denny Doherty, & Zal Yanovsky)
  • Denny Doherty (Mugwumps)
• recordings exhibited Phillip' talent as a writer/arranger, using high-quality technical production and top-rate backup musicians
• 1966 to 1967 scored 9 Top 40 singles

California Dreamin'

(#4, 1966)

Monday, Monday

(#1, 1966) - only #1 hit

Creeque Alley

(#5, 1967)

clever autobiographical number about the group (meaning of the lyrics)

 

• 1967 - John Phillips assisted in organizing the Monterey International Pop Festival, a prototype for the outdoor rock festival that would become popular in the late 60s
• mid-1968 - The Mamas & The Papas disbanded
• Mama Cass went on to a moderately successful solo career and TV performer
• 1974 - Cass died (choking on chicken bone?)

Characteristics of The Mamas & the Papas:

• solid vocal harmonies
• blend of folk & rock elements
• soft-core folkniks
  • dressed like hippies
  • rarely engaged in protest songs (softened even the tones of "Blowin' in the Wind")
  • resulting in a pleasing, commercial version of folk rock

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