Denny Doherty, the principal harmonist (along with Cass Elliot) of the Mamas and Papas died Friday at his home in Mississauga, Canada...He was 66 years old.
Denny discovered Cass Elliot singing in a folk trio.... He was walking past a coffee house when their act was onstage and Cass's soaring harmony grabbed him by the ears and dragged him into the club just to see who owned this incredible voice.
From 1966-68 The harmonies of Cass and Denny carried the songwriting and arranging genius of John Phillips songs into the stratosphere.
Although John Phillips was a meglomaniac who disdained and abused Cass Elliot, the bands success sustained them long enough to put out 10 top 40hits...5 of them charting in the Top 10... (remember this is when the competition was stiff... with The Beatles, Stones, Motown, Hendrix, Greatful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and shitload of other great bands on the market) ...Of Course "Califonia Dreamin' was number 1 on the charts and remained there for 10 weeks.
Denny died of kidney complications and had been on dialysis... He was 66 years old........
Only one member of The Mamas and Papas (Michelle Phillips) is still alive.... And she was pretty much a member for 2 reasons: She was John Phillips wife and She looked good onstage.....
I dedicate this song to Denny (and to Cass).... The heart of the band....RIP.............on TADP-FM.....
http://www.clubprosoftware.com/club...nd the Papas - I Saw Her Again Last Night.mp3
Denny discovered Cass Elliot singing in a folk trio.... He was walking past a coffee house when their act was onstage and Cass's soaring harmony grabbed him by the ears and dragged him into the club just to see who owned this incredible voice.
From 1966-68 The harmonies of Cass and Denny carried the songwriting and arranging genius of John Phillips songs into the stratosphere.
Although John Phillips was a meglomaniac who disdained and abused Cass Elliot, the bands success sustained them long enough to put out 10 top 40hits...5 of them charting in the Top 10... (remember this is when the competition was stiff... with The Beatles, Stones, Motown, Hendrix, Greatful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and shitload of other great bands on the market) ...Of Course "Califonia Dreamin' was number 1 on the charts and remained there for 10 weeks.
Denny died of kidney complications and had been on dialysis... He was 66 years old........
Only one member of The Mamas and Papas (Michelle Phillips) is still alive.... And she was pretty much a member for 2 reasons: She was John Phillips wife and She looked good onstage.....
I dedicate this song to Denny (and to Cass).... The heart of the band....RIP.............on TADP-FM.....
http://www.clubprosoftware.com/club...nd the Papas - I Saw Her Again Last Night.mp3
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Wore that tape out going to pit crew for a Nascar bud back in 65.
