Despite a relatively short career, the shimmering harmonies and folk-rock underpinnings of The Mamas & The Papas made them the leading California-based vocal group of the '60s. Husband and wife John and Michelle Phillips formed the group with Denny Doherty before "Mama" Cass Elliot completed the line-up in '65. After four successful albums, inter-group romantic drama eventually unravelled the chemistry, leading to their disbanding in '69. The Mamas & The Papas reunited briefly for one more album two years later before Elliot's tragic death in '74 dashed all hope of any further releases.