John phillips spouse

1. Biography of John Phillips
2. Early Life and Career
3. The Mamas and The Papas
4. Monterey Pop Festival and Beyond
5. Later Years and Legacy

Biography of John Phillips

John Phillips was an American singer, songwriter, and the founder of the American group "The Mamas and The Papas". He was born on August 30, 1935, in Paris Island, California. With his mixed heritage of a retired soldier father who served in World War I and a mother of Cherokee descent, Phillips had a diverse background.

Early Life and Career

In 1957, Phillips moved to New York with his first wife, Susan Adams, and formed the group "The Journeymen", which performed in clubs with limited success. In 1962, he met Michelle Gilliam and invited her to join the group as a vocalist. Phillips divorced Susan and married Michelle on December 31, 1962. They had a daughter named Chynna Phillips, who later formed the group "Wilson Phillips".

The Mamas and The Papas

In 1965, with the addition of Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty, Phillips renamed the group to "The Mamas and The Papas". However, in 1966, Phillips temporarily fired Michelle from the group, accusing her of infidelity. He later asked her to return, and they continued their musical journey together. In 1967, Phillips wrote the famous song "San Francisco", which became an anthem for the hippie movement.

Monterey Pop Festival and Beyond

Phillips co-founded the Monterey Pop Festival, which took place from June 16 to 19, 1967, in California. The festival became a significant event of the 1960s, featuring iconic artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Ravi Shankar. After the group disbanded in July 1968, Phillips embarked on a solo career. However, his debut album, "Wolf King of L.A.", released in 1969, did not achieve commercial success.

Later Years and Legacy

Phillips divorced Michelle in 1970 and collaborated with singer Mary Clayton on the soundtrack for the film "Brewster McCloud". He married actress Genevieve Waite in 1972, but they divorced in the 1980s. From this marriage, he had a daughter named Bijou Phillips, who became an actress. In 1980, Phillips faced legal troubles related to drug possession and was sentenced to eight years in prison, which was later reduced to 30 days.

In 1981, Phillips hosted a television series with his daughter Mackenzie Phillips, focusing on the fight against drug abuse. He made an attempt to reform "The Mamas and The Papas" in the early 1980s, but ultimately left the revived group, leaving Denny Doherty as the only remaining original member. Phillips underwent a liver transplant in 1998 and made rare public appearances afterward.

John Phillips passed away in Los Angeles on March 18, 2001. Shortly before his death, he resumed work on an album started in 1977 with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The album, titled "Pay Pack & Follow", was released posthumously in September 2001. Another album, "Phillips 66", was also released in the same year. Despite the challenges and setbacks in his personal life, John Phillips left a lasting impact on the music industry as a talented musician and songwriter.