What was John Phillips’ Net Worth?
John Phillips, the leader of The Mamas & the Papas vocal group, passed away in 2001 at the age of 65, leaving behind a net worth of $10 million. He was a renowned American singer, guitarist, songwriter and promoter, best known for writing hit songs such as “California Dreamin'” and “Monday, Monday.”
Phillips was also responsible for organizing the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, and wrote the hit song “San Francisco” for Scott McKenzie, as well as “Me and My Uncle,” which was popularized by the Grateful Dead and Judy Collins.
The Mamas & the Papas were active from 1965 to 1971, during which time they released several successful albums. Their debut studio album, “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears,” reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and #3 on the UK charts. The self-titled album released in 1966 reached #4 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and #5 on the U.S. Cashbox charts. The group’s album “The Mamas & The Papas Deliver” was released in 1967 and reached #1 on the U.S. Cashbox, #2 on the U.S. Billboard 200, and #4 on the UK charts. They also released “The Papas & the Mamas” in 1968 and “People Like Us” in 1971.
Early Life and Education
John Phillips was born in Parris Island, South Carolina in 1935 to Edna and Claude, a retired US Marine Corps officer. He grew up in Alexandria, Virginia and attended Linton Hall Military School in Bristow, which he despised due to its cruel treatment of pupils. To cope, Phillips formed a doo-wop music group with other boys. He later attended George Washington High School and graduated in 1953. Phillips briefly attended the United States Naval Academy before dropping out and later attended Hampden-Sydney College, where he also dropped out.
Phillips Forms Folk Trio and Releases Three Albums
John Phillips traveled to New York City in the early 60s in hopes of acquiring a recording contract. He formed the folk trio the Journeymen with fellow singer-songwriters Scott McKenzie and Dick Weissman. The group released three albums and made numerous appearances on the television musical variety show “Hootenanny.”
The Mamas & the Papas
In the mid-60s, John Phillips formed the folk rock group the Mamas & the Papas with his wife Michelle and singer Denny Doherty. After traveling to Los Angeles, the group landed a record deal with Dunhill Records and released their debut studio album, “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears,” in early 1966. The album made it to number one on the Billboard 200 and spawned the only number-one hit single by the Mamas & the Papas, “Monday, Monday.” The group went on to release several more albums, including their second eponymous album in 1966, which reached number four on the Billboard 200 and spawned the successful singles “I Saw Her Again” and “Words of Love.” In 1971, the group released their final studio album, “People Like Us.”
The Mamas & the Papas’ first major hit was the song “California Dreamin’,” written by Phillips and his wife, which reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100. The Mamas & the Papas also performed at the Monterey International Pop Festival in California in 1967, which Phillips helped organize. “California Dreamin'” and “Monday, Monday” both won Grammy Awards for the group.
Reviving the Mamas & the Papas
In the early 80s, Phillips proposed the revival of the Mamas & the Papas, joining forces with his daughter Mackenzie, Denny Doherty, and Elaine McFarlane. The group was named the New Mamas & the Papas and began performing in March 1982, followed by a national tour. A hiatus was taken from August 1983 to February 1985, after which the group embarked on a global tour. In 1987, Doherty left the group and was replaced by Scott McKenzie, and in 1991, Mackenzie Phillips was replaced by Laurie Beebie Lewis. The lineup underwent several changes in the following years.
Phillips’ Solo Career
Phillips had a solo career beyond the Mamas & the Papas. He released his eponymous debut in 1970, which included the moderate hit song “Mississippi.” He also wrote songs for several film soundtracks, such as “Brewster McCloud” and “The Man Who Fell to Earth,” as well as a stage musical called “Man on the Moon.” Two posthumous albums were released after Phillips’ passing: “Pay Pack & Follow” and “Phillips 66.”
Phillips’ Addiction and Death
John Phillips struggled with drug addiction throughout his life, with his addiction growing over the years. By the 1970s, he was dependent on heroin and cocaine, which led to his conviction for drug trafficking in the early 80s. His chronic substance abuse required him to undergo a liver transplant in 1992. Sadly, Phillips passed away from heart failure in March of 2001.
John Phillips’ Marriages and Controversial Family Life
John Phillips married Susan Adams in 1957 and had two children, Mackenzie and Jeffrey. He later met teenager Holly Michelle Gilliam while on tour with the Journeymen and began an extramarital affair. After divorcing his first wife, Phillips married Gilliam and had a daughter named Chynna. However, the couple divorced in 1969 after Gilliam had an affair with fellow band member Denny Doherty.
Phillips went on to marry model Geneviève Waïte and had two children, Tamerlane and Bijou, before divorcing in 1985. He then married Farnaz Arassteh in 1995.
After Phillips’ death, his daughter Mackenzie made allegations of a decade-long incestuous relationship with her father, during which she was raped and injected with narcotics. The claims were disputed by Phillips’ then-wife Geneviève Waïte and daughter Bijou, but supported by Chynna.
