Originally I wanted a picture of John Phillips, but the ones from the time period I'm going to write about reflect the fact that massive amounts of coke doesn't do your face a lick of good. The Mamas and Papas seemed to dominate the radio in the mid-sixties. John Phillips' songs, professional backing (the Wrecking Crew ), and a serious case of right time, right place. As did most bands of the era, they broke up for artistic reasons. (they french-fried themselves) Cass went on to try her hand at show tunes, had a hit with Dream a Little Dream of Me and was working her way toward a successful solo career. ( no, she wasn't a jazz chanteuse, sorry ) She died of an apparent heart attack in London. (no, not a ham sandwich, sorry ) Michelle, who's job was to look pretty and keep the big voice in check, went on to look pretty as an actress. ( see above ) Denny returned to Canada and worked as an artist. He voiced the harbormaster in Theodore Tugboat (PBS), made records,and sometimes worked with Phillips.
John Phillips became the poster boy for rock and roll trainwrecks. Brittany, et al. got nothing. He wrote a few songs ( Me and my Uncle: pace the Dead), helped Mackenzie with her career, and tottered about with various Mamas and Papas while trying to outdo Sly Stone as promoters' nightmare #1. The point of all this gossipy churlishness is the discovery of some old tapes of a play that John attempted in conjunction with Andy Warhol called Man on the Moon. The cautionary part? Don't snort your own PR.
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