The 1960s saw a love of folk music spring from The Mamas & The Papas. The musical group represented a shifting of the culture throughout the decade.
The four singers included John Phillips, Cass Elliot, Michelle Phillips, and Denny Doherty. Some of their most memorable hits had ‘California Dreamin’ and ‘Monday, Monday.’
In 1967, the group appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. All four of them came out on stage in very 1960s clothing. John has a green suit with a furry hat, Cass in a yellow dress, Michelle in a baby blue ensemble, and Denny wearing a green jacket.
The group performed their hit song ‘Creeque Alley.’ As John plays the guitar, he sings with Denny. Cass and Michelle also sing in perfect harmony.
The song is very referential. One of the passages states, ‘McGuinn and McGuire couldn’t get no higher, but that’s what they were aimin’ at, and no one’s gettin’ fat except Mama Cass.’
The group closes out the song by singing about imagination and how music reflects reality. The audience applauds as they wrap up their act.
The Mamas & The Papas were very much a voice of the 1960s. They only stayed together for five years, but their legacy lasted long. The group sold 40 million records and often topped the Billboard charts.
The group’s fantastic music has placed them in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It’s easy to see why with this footage of them when their career was rising.
The Mamas & The Papas were hits of their time, and their music lives on today. The group may be gone, but California Dreamin remains, inspiring musicians still to this day.
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