Their "best of" collection is one of my favorites in my mp3 library, and last night I got curious and watched a documentary of them, with lengthy interviews of John Phillips, Denny Doherty and Michelle Phillips. Some interesting takeaways:
John was married with two kids and 25 years old when he met 16 year old model Michelle Gilliam. Michelle came onto him and that was the end of his first marriage. John and Michelle married when she turned 18.
Denny Doherty was the key vocalist in the group. He and Michelle had an affair which led to the breakup of the group.
Cass Elliot had trouble reaching high notes until she got hit in the head by a piece of copper pipe accidently dropped man doing demolition work above a walkway. It knocked her old cold and had a headache for two weeks. Then she could hit the higher notes. John didn't want her in the group because of her appearance. She was persistent and Denny convinced John that she would be a valuable member. He singing abilities eclipsed Denny's. She died at age 32 when she choked on a ham sandwich.
Mackenzie Phillips is John's daughter from his first marriage.
John was married with two kids and 25 years old when he met 16 year old model Michelle Gilliam. Michelle came onto him and that was the end of his first marriage. John and Michelle married when she turned 18.
Denny Doherty was the key vocalist in the group. He and Michelle had an affair which led to the breakup of the group.
Cass Elliot had trouble reaching high notes until she got hit in the head by a piece of copper pipe accidently dropped man doing demolition work above a walkway. It knocked her old cold and had a headache for two weeks. Then she could hit the higher notes. John didn't want her in the group because of her appearance. She was persistent and Denny convinced John that she would be a valuable member. He singing abilities eclipsed Denny's. She died at age 32 when she choked on a ham sandwich.
Mackenzie Phillips is John's daughter from his first marriage.
