The Mamas & the Papas

The Mamas & the Papas were a leading vocal group of the 1960s, and one of the few American groups to maintain widespread success during the British Invasion, along with The Beach Boys.

John Phillips, Cass Elliott, Denny Doherty and Michelle Phillips formed the group after several folk groups failed. They hit it big immediately after forming the Mamas & the Papas with "California Dreamin'", still their most recognizable and enduring song. Romantic and drug-related problems soon tore the band apart, however, and the band had broken up by 1971.