John Phillips (musician)

John Phillips (August 30, 1935 – March 18, 2001) was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was a member and leader of the singing group The Mamas & the Papas. He is the father of Mackenzie Phillips, Chynna Phillips, and Bijou Phillips.

The Mamas and the Papas

Phillips was a poor husband; he longed to have success in the music industry and traveled to New York to find a record contract in the early sixties. His first band, The Journeymen, was a folk trio. He developed his craft in Greenwich Village, and met his future Mamas and the Papas bandmates Denny Doherty and Cass Elliot there.

Related Topics:
New York - Sixties - The Journeymen - Folk - Greenwich Village - Mamas and the Papas - Denny Doherty - Cass Elliot

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While touring California with The Journeymen he met his future second wife, Michelle Gilliam. Their affair finally forced the dissolution of his first marriage. Phillips was married to Michelle Phillips from 1962 to 1970. They had one child together, Chynna Phillips, the founder of the singing group Wilson Phillips.

Related Topics:
California - Michelle Phillips - 1962 - 1970 - Chynna Phillips - Wilson Phillips

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Phillips was the primary songwriter and musical arranger of The Mamas and the Papas. Early in the band's history, John and Michelle were responsible for writing most of the band's songs. John would often come up with a melody and some lyrics and Michelle would help him complete the lyrical portion of the song. After being signed to Dunhill Records, they had several Billboard Top Ten hits during the group's short lifetime, including "California Dreamin'"; "Monday, Monday"; "I Saw Her Again Last Night"; "Creeque Alley"; and "". John Phillips also wrote "San Francisco", the 1967 Scott McKenzie hit that was to become the Summer of Love "hymn".

Related Topics:
The Mamas and the Papas - Lyric - Dunhill Records - Billboard - California Dreamin' - Monday, Monday - I Saw Her Again Last Night - Creeque Alley - 1967 - Scott McKenzie - Summer of Love

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The group's popularity rivaled that of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in the late sixties. Although the band lasted only several short years with five studio albums, the music is recognized today as some of the greatest pop of the 20th century.

Related Topics:
The Beatles - The Rolling Stones - 20th century

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The Phillips became Hollywood celebrities, living in the Hollywood Hills and socializing with stars like Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, and Roman Polanski. The group broke up largely because Cass Elliot wanted to go solo and because of some personal problems between Phillips, Michelle, and Denny Doherty. Michelle had been fired briefly in 1966, for having had affairs with both Denny and Gene Clark, and was replaced by Jill Gibson, their producer Lou Adler's girlfriend for two months. Although Michelle was forgiven and asked to return to the group, the personal problems would continue until the band split up in 1968. Cass Elliot went on to have a successful solo career until her death in 1974.

Related Topics:
Hollywood - Jack Nicholson - Warren Beatty - Roman Polanski - Cass Elliot - 1966 - Gene Clark - Jill Gibson - Lou Adler - 1968 - 1974

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