Mamas and Papas Singer Denny Doherty Dies

[eauclaireliberal]

Denny Doherty: 1940-2006: Mamas and Papas singer dies

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Denny Doherty, one-quarter of the 1960s folk-rock group the Mamas and the Papas, known for their soaring harmony on hits like "California Dreamin' " and "Monday, Monday," died Friday at 66.

His sister Frances Arnold said the singer-songwriter died at his home in Mississauga, a city just west of Toronto, after a short illness. He had suffered kidney problems following surgery last month and had been put on dialysis, Arnold said.

The group burst on the national scene in 1966 with the top-10 smash "California Dreamin'." The Mamas and the Papas broke new ground by having women and men in one group when most singing groups were unisex. John Phillips, the group's chief songwriter; his wife, Michelle; and another female vocalist, Cass Elliot, teamed with Doherty.

"Monday, Monday" hit No. 1 on the charts and won the band a Grammy for best contemporary group performance. Among the group's other songs were "I Saw Her Again Last Night," "Go Where You Wanna Go," "Dancing Bear," and versions of "I Call Your Name" and "Dedicated to the One I Love."

"What made the group special was their haunting and sumptuous harmony singing," according to "The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll."

"Everybody used to think that John Phillips, who wrote the songs, was also the main voice of the group, but it wasn't -- it was the angelic voice of Denny Doherty," said Larry Leblanc, Canadian editor of Billboard Magazine. "He was often overlooked but it was really his voice that carried the group."

In 1998, the Mamas and the Papas were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...


http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/300445_dohertyobit20.html

[PSPS]

1. I was "mad" at Doherty

When the Mamas and the Papas were at their zenith, I was just going through puberty and REALLY had it bad for Michelle Phillips. I was angry that Doherty was sleeping with her because I wanted to be sleeping with her!

(She was married at the time to fellow band member John Phillips, but it didn't interfere with my fantasy.)

[Hoosier Dem]

2. WoW! Michelle Phillips is now the last survivor of the group.

how sad. :cry:

[Glorfindel]

4. Yes, it is sad..but the light that burns half as long shines twice as bright

"My candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -
It gives a lovely light."
Edna St. Vincent Millay

[barb162]

7. I didn't know John Phillips died

They were a great group

[Glorfindel]

3. May he rest in peace.

He and the rest of the Mamas and the Papas brought endless hours of pleasure to millions, including me. Herewith the lyrics to "Creeque Alley," one of my favorite songs:

John and mitchie were gettin kinda itchie
Just to leave the folk music behind
Zal and denny workin for a penny
Tryin to get a fish on the line
In a coffee house sebastian sat
And after every number they passed the hat
Mcguinn and mcguire just are gettin higher
In l.a. you know where thats at
And no ones getting fat except mama cass.

Zallie said denny, you know there arent many
Who can sing a song the way that you do (lets go south)
Denny said zallie, golly, dont you think that I wish
I could play guitar like you
Zal, denny and sebastian sat (at the night owl)
And after every number they passed the hat
Mcguinn and mcguire just are gettin higher
In l.a. you know where thats at
And no ones getting fat except mama cass.

When cass was a sophomore, planned to go to swarthmore,
But she changed her mind one day
Standign on the turnpike, thumb out to hitchhike,
Take her to new york right away
When denny met cass he gave her love bumps
Call john and zal, and that was the mugwumps
Mcguinn and mcguire couldnt get no higher
But thats what they were aiming at
And no ones getting fat except mama cass.

Mugwumps, hi-jumps, low slumps, big bumps,
Dont you work as hard as you play
Drink-up, break-up, everything is shake-up
Guess it had to be that way
Sebastian and zal formed the spoonful
Michelle, john and denny gettin very tuneful
Mcguinn and mcguire just are catchin fire
In l.a. you know where thats at
And everybodys gettin fast except mama cass.

Broke, busted, disgusted, agents cant be trusted,
And mitchie wants to go to the sea
Cass cant make it, she says well have to fake it
We knew shed come eventually
Greasin on american express card
Tents, low rents, and keepin out the heats hard
Duffys good vibrations, and our imaginations,
Cant go on indefinitely
And california dreaming is becoming a reality.

[SusanaMontana41]

6. That's one of my favorites too, Glorfindel

What a loss. My deepest condolences to Denny's family and friends. His fans will miss him.

[Canuckistanian]

5. OMG, I didn't know he lived in Misissauga

What a weird coincidence. I probably heard most of his songs while I was in Mississauga growing up.

And he died there.

RIP, Denny. I can still hear your voice.