The folk-rock classic group, The Mamas & the Papas, provided a delightful soundtrack to the decade of the 1960s with their catchy tunes “California Dreamin’” and “Monday, Monday.” John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty, and Cass Elliot hit their peak of fame in the ’60s and ultimately helped to define the music scene of American counterculture during that time.

Michelle Phillips, John Phillips, Mama Cass, and Denny Doherty. Photo by Globe Photos / Mediapunch / Shutterstock

Although they reached major success during their career together, life behind the scenes wasn’t always smooth sailing. The seemingly “groovy” era of free love and the sea of drugs that came with it took a toll on the band, both as a unit and individually. The drama that occurred during the mere five years of working together was enough to last a lifetime. With all the affairs, parties, drug abuse, break-ups and reunions, the drama had lasting effects that are still felt to this day. Even Frank Sinatra used his Mafia connections to send one of the members a special “warning.”

See what really happened with this bizarre yet talented group, whose music is undeniably worth listening to…

First Things First

Do you want to know how this group of four got together? It started with the husband and wife team of John Phillips (who was in the folk group New Journeymen) and Michelle Phillips, and their friend Denny Doherty (from the Mugwumps). Their former bands were active in 1964 and 1965. The last member to join the quartet was Cass Elliot, who was Doherty’s bandmate from the Mugwumps.

Michelle and John Phillips. Photo by Globe Photos / mediapunch / Shutterstock

The drama started before they even formed their new group. John (who left his first wife to marry Michelle) was ready to sing with tenor Doherty. But he objected when Elliot wanted to sing as well. Elliot had to overcome John’s initial concerns. First, he felt that her voice was too low for his arrangements. But that wasn’t the offensive part…