John Edmund Andrew Phillips was an American folk rock musician. He was the leader of the vocal group the Mamas & the Papas and remains frequently referred to as Papa John Phillips. In addition to writing the majority of the group's compositions, he also wrote "San Francisco " in 1967 for former Journeymen bandmate Scott McKenzie, as well as the oft-covered "Me and My Uncle", which was a favorite in the repertoire of the Grateful Dead. Phillips was one of the chief organizers of the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival.
Phillips in 1967
The Mamas and the Papas in 1968: Michelle Phillips, Cass Elliot, Denny Doherty, John Phillips
The Mamas & the Papas was a folk-rock vocal-group which recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968. The group was a defining force in the music scene of the counterculture of the 1960s. Formed in New York City, the group consisted of Americans John Phillips, Cass Elliot, and Michelle Phillips, and Canadian Denny Doherty. Their sound was based on vocal harmonies arranged by John Phillips, the songwriter, musician, and leader of the group, who adapted folk to the new beat style of the early 1960s.
(L-R): Michelle Phillips, Cass Elliot, Denny Doherty and John Phillips on The Ed Sullivan Show telecast of June 11, 1967
The Mamas & the Papas on the cover of Cash Box, 30 April 1966
The Mamas & the Papas on ABC's The Song Makers, 1967