Died On This Date (March 18, 2001) John Phillips / The Mamas and the Papas
themusicsover John Phillips
August 30, 1935 – March 18, 2001
As the driving force behind the Mamas & the Papas, Papa John Phillips has been called one of the greatest pop songwriters of the last forty years. If there was one American group that could hold its on against the British Invasion, it was the Mamas & the Papas (John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Mama Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty) with their hits, “Monday Monday,” “California Dreamin’,” and “Got A Feeling.” Outside of the Mamas & the Papas, John had a huge hit with Scott McKenzie’s recording of his “San Francisco,” while helping to create the Monterey Pop Festival, a moment in musical history that introduced us to Jimi Hendrix. Three of his “greatest hits” were daughters Mackenzie Phillips, Chynna Phillips and Bijou Phillips. John battled substance abuse late into his life and passed away from heart failure on March 18, 2001.
What You Should Own
Even though Alex Chilton was one of indie rock’s biggest influences, many don’t realize he sang lead on one of the biggest pop hits of the ’60s. While still in high school in Memphis, Tennessee, 16-year-old Chilton was asked to join a local rock band that soon became known as the Box Tops. Later that year, the group released “The Letter” which quickly became a #1 hit around the world (Chilton’s lead vocal track was slowed down to make him sound older). That was soon followed by “Cry Like a Baby” and “Soul Deep,” both moderate hits also sung by Chilton. After leaving the Box Tops, Chilton joined 
As a much in-demand bass guitar journeyman, Rick Grech landed the ultimate rock dream job in 1969 when he was nabbed to play alongside Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Steve Winwood in the newly formed Blind Faith. After a disappointing start, Blind Faith disbanded so Grech stayed on with Winwood in the reformed Traffic. However, Grech’s drug use got in the way, so he was let go from the band and went on to do session work for the likes of Rod Stewart, 
Zenon de Fleur was the guitarist for British punk band the Count Bishops. He died of a heart attack following an auto accident in London. He was just 28.
Jakson Spires was the founding drummer for Southern rock’s Blackfoot. Formed in 1970, the band had a handful of hit albums during the late ’70s and early ’80s. Blackfoot went from being the house band at a Gainesville, Florida topless bar in 1970 to opening for the Who in 1979. Spires either wrote or co-wrote almost every song in the band’s catalog, including hits, “Highway Song” and “Fly Away.” As a session player, he recorded with the likes of 