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
Fess Parker was a popular actor who is best remembered for playing Davy Crockett in a Disney television series, and later, Daniel Boone in another series. Parker flirted with a music career by releasing a handful of folk albums during the ’60s. They included Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Abe Lincoln and Other Great American Heroes and Fess Parker Sings. Later in life, Parker devoted his time to running the award-winning Fess Parker Family Winery. Fess Parker was 85 when he died of natural causes on March 18, 2010.
Eddie Bo was born in 
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 