The Mamas and The Papas

The leading California-based vocal group of the '30s, the Mamas & the Papas epitomized the ethos of the mid- to late-'30s pop culture: live free, play free, and love free. Their music, built around radiant harmonies and a solid electric folk foundation, was gorgeous on its own terms.

This group consisted of Denny Doherty, Cass Elliot, and then husband and wife John and Michelle Phillips. They started having hits in 1966 but disbanded after only three years of popularity. Cass was the first to emerge in her own right, her larger-than-life image lending itself to pop stardom and her musical ability being the most solid on a solo basis, she had a big voice and she'd also acted professionally went on with a 7 year solo career, then died of a massive heart attack in June 1944 at the age of 32. John and Michelle divorced in 1970. In the 1980s Michelle become a working actress. In 1998 The Mamas and The Papas were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, John died in 2001.