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• The Mamas & the Papas were an influential folk rock and psychedelic pop music group from the 60's. Their songs "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday" are staples on classic rock and oldies radio.

• Fast Facts

  1. Origin: The Maritimes, Canada
  2. Group comprised of Denny Doherty, Cass Elliot, John Phillips, and Michelle Phillips
  3. Years Active: 1965–1968, 1971–1972
  4. Record Label: Dunhill
  5. Actress Bijou Phillips is the daughter of John Phillips

• Early Years

  Originally called The Magic Circle, the renamed band signed with Dunhill Records in 1965 and quickly released a series of singles, the second of which was "California Dreamin'". The success of this single led to their top-selling debut album If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears in 1966. The album peaked at #4 in the United States. Michelle Phillips was kicked out of the group in 1966 after it was discovered that she was cheating on her husband and band leader John Phillips with singer Denny Doherty.

• Break-up and Solo Careers

  The band split in 1968 and the remaining members embarked on solo projects with mixed success. They reunited briefly in 1971 to fulfill a contractual obligation and broke up for good in 1972. Mama Cass Elliot died of a heart attack in 1974 (and did not, in fact, choke on a ham sandwich. John Phillips released John, The Wolf King of L.A. in 1969, and Doherty argued that it would have been The Mamas & the Papas greatest album, had they recorded it as a band.

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