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 lineup in '65. After four successful albums, intra-group romantic drama eventually unraveled their 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.