Denny Doherty R.I.P.

What a shame this is. Denny had a truly distinctive voice...he put so much feeling into his singing. Combine it with great songs and outstanding harmonies, and you get some of the 60s most memorable recordings.

I'm gonna give "Look Through My Window," my all-time favorite Mamas and Papas song, a spin tonight.

RIP and thank you, Denny.

 

$hit! Some surprises are good. This is NOT one of them. Rest in peace indeed, Denny!

 

This is so sad, I can't put it into words. RIP Denny.

 

To snag a line from "Creeque Alley," Denny, you know there weren't many who could sing a song the way that you did. And made it seem so effortless. You'll be sorely missed.

 

Another sad reminder of how long ago those years were.

Another great Nova Scotian gone.

RIP

 

This leaves only Michelle...this is truly a sad day,indeed. The world has lost a true gentleman and a hell of a great singer. R.I.P.,Friend...you'll be truly missed by us all. Michael Boyce

 

This was a shock. Much too young.

 

Man, what a drag! RIP - Denny.

 

I'm originally from Nova Scotia, also. I felt the same sadness when John Allan Cameron passed away.

 

Very sad news...why are so many musical people passing away in recent times?!

 

Very sad news indeed...

R.I.P. Denny

 

He had a wonderful voice, and will be very much missed. RIP, Denny, and thank you for all the great music.

 

I did'nt even know he was in bad health. RIP

 

I liked that show. Used to watch it with one of my kids. ...Anyway, it's sad news. Only 66. Too young. I'll be playing some Mamas & Papas tonight....

 

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003535281

Mamas And The Papas' Doherty Dies At 66
January 19, 2007, 5:15 PM ET

Denny Doherty, one-quarter of the 1960s folk-rock group the Mamas and the Papas, known for their soaring harmony on hits like "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday," died today (Jan. 19) at 66. His sister Frances Arnold said the singer/songwriter died at his home in Mississauga, a city just west of Toronto, after a short illness.

The group burst on the national scene in 1966 with the top 10 smash "California Dreamin'." The Mamas and the Papas broke new ground by having women and men in one group at a time when most singing groups were unisex. John Phillips, the group's chief songwriter; his wife, Michelle; and another female vocalist, Cass Elliot, teamed with Doherty.

"Monday, Monday" hit No. 1 on the charts and won the band a Grammy for best contemporary group performance. Among the group's other songs were "I Saw Her Again Last Night," "Go Where You Wanna Go," "Dancing Bear," and versions of "I Call Your Name" and "Dedicated to the One I Love." The group was a 1998 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

But the Mamas and the Papas' heyday was brief and it disbanded in 1968 following John and Michelle Phillips' divorce. The members re-formed in 1971 for the album "People Like Us," but all hope for a reunion ended in 1974 when the 30-year-old Elliot choked and suffered a fatal heart attack while eating a sandwich in London.

Phillips briefly re-formed the group in 1982 with Doherty, Phillips' actress daughter, Mackenzie, and Elaine "Spanky" McFarlane. The foursome toured playing oldies and new Phillips originals. John Phillips died in 2001 at 65.


In 2003, Doherty was co-author and performer in an off-Broadway show called "Dream a Little Dream: The Mamas and the Papas Musical," which traced the band's early years, its dizzying fame and breakup.

The Halifax-born Doherty started his music career in Montreal in 1960 as the co-founder of the Colonials, which later became the Halifax Three.

Doherty made a solo album in 1974 and achieved a bit of immortality by both playing the Harbormaster and voicing all the characters for the children's TV series "Theodore Tugboat."

 

What a voice !
You will be missed ,Denny

 

I hope the heavenly choir isn't eager to get the fourth part of those harmonies.

 

I was so shocked when I heard the report on the evening news that I began to cry. I'm going to watch Monterey Pop tonight...I always loved his voice, and I also enjoyed interviews he has given over the years--He always seemed very articulate and warm.

RIP, Denny.

 

Wow, this really came out of nowhere. Very sad news indeed...

 

Oh man,this is sad.Another musical legend passes too quickly!RIP Denny Doherty

 

Really, really sad. All these 50 and 60 year olds dying.

It just seems like yesterday listening to the Mamas and the Papas.

RIP Denny

 

Denny really had a great voice. R.I.P.

 

This is so sad to hear. The music world has lost another great one.

 

Just saw a bio on tv about her,very,very interesting. To this day nobody knows who the father is of her daughter.
Sad news about Denny.

 

Picked the 3 CD set of the Ed Sullivan music appearances a few weeks back. They included most if not all of the Mama and Papa's appearances and it was such a delight to see this. Now this sad news. My he be joined by Poppa John & Momma Cass in heaven and sing & rejoice in song.

God Bless him!

Rick A.