‘The Mamas & The Papas’ took America by storm in the late 1960s. The group symbolized the counterculture movement of the era, and their folk music with a 60s beat swept through the country.
The group appeared on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ in 1967 at the height of their stardom. John Phillips, Cass Elliot, Michelle Phillips, and Denny Doherty took the stage to sing their hit ‘Creeque Alley.’
The backdrop was a totally psychedelic orange curtain, and the men dressed in dark green. Michelle wore baby blue, and Cass wore yellow. John Phillips played acoustic guitar and wore a furry hat.
John and Denny sing, then the two girls sing, and they come together in incredible harmony, their signature sound. They all bop and groove to the song with their bodies.
The song’s hook contains the lyrics’ 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.’ This tune was a success, but their biggest hits were ‘California Dreamin” and ‘Monday, Monday.’
The group only existed for roughly five years, but they released five studio albums and 17 singles in that time. Six of those singles made the Billboard top 10, and they sold close to 40 million records. They were also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
‘The Mamas & The Papas’ rose to stardom quickly, and this appearance on ‘Sullivan’ helped put them over the top. Their sound is still so unique, and they are a big part of American music history.
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