Denny Doherty

A couple of months ago I was talking with a friend about music. He asked if I could go back in time and see any group, who would it be. It would have been awesome to see the Doors; Jim Morrison staggering around in a drug-fueled haze, slurring "Hello, I Love You". Or maybe the original lineup of the Who and see Keith Moon dominate a 25-minute drum solo. Janis Joplin had such a great rasp to her voice. I bet she was amazing in person. And then there's Elvis. Or the Beatles. After much thought I gave him my answer: The Mamas and the Papas.

The harmonies the Mamas and the Papas produced were revolutionary. John Phillips was a songwriting genius. There are few others more beautiful than Michelle Phillips. Cass Elliot had a zest for life which resonated through her voice. And Denny Doherty united these voices. Although they are best known for "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday", it's their lesser known songs that were my favorites. "Creque Alley" told the story of how the bank formed. "I Saw Her Again Last Night" was John Phillips revenge song for Denny and Michelle's affair. Although the group only lasted three years, their music remains timeless.

I was saddened to hear of Denny Doherty's passing last night. I was fortunate to see Denny once. Soon after moving to New York, I saw him perform a couple of songs from Dream a Little Dream, his off-Broadway show about the formation of the group at Bryant Park. It would be the closest I'd ever get to seeing them as whole.

The Mamas and the Papas were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. With Cass Elliot's death in 1974 and John Phillips in 2001, Michelle Phillips remains the last member of the group. I highly recommend picking up or downloading one of their CDs and dream a little dream of one of rock & roll's finest.

Quote of the Day:
"You may delay, but time will not." --Benjamin Franklin