John Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas passed away in Los Angeles of heart failure.
http://www.latimes.com/obituary/20010318/tCB00V7850.html
One less voice singing in this world 
He did at least two things right in this world: write “California Dreamin’” and sire Chynna Phillips.
He is missed.
This is sad news.
John wrote some great songs and came up with some incredibly intracate harmonies to give them life.
I haven’t heard officially, but my impression is that he never really did get his drug problem under control, even in the later years of his life. Does anyone know for sure?
I know one thing: it’s a real toss-up between his autobiography and David Crosby’s as to which paints a more harrowing and degrading picture of long-term drug abuse.
I’m glad Crosby ultimately triumphed; it’s sad that Phillips appears to have not.
Sad to see Papa John go. He was an amazingly talented songwriter, musician, and aranger. In many ways he was one of the most representative individuals to come out of the 1960s.
So many wanted to be John Phillips and never even knew it.
If “being” John meant being married to Michelle, then I knew I wanted to be him.
But who-da ever thought he’d make it to 65?
In the end, no one actually triumphs over death, does one? After all, he was 65, not 25. I think he triumphed over it rather well, since he lived as long as he did. Good for him! And yes, he will sorely be missed.
I made my comments in the context of John’s continuing problems with drug abuse (which I’m still trying to determine the extent of, i.e., whether he ever really got clean).
If you’re a slave to drugs up until the time of your death (even at age 65), if your addiction renders you unable to parlay your considerable musical talents into any notable accomplishments post-1970, then I’m not sure how much of a triumph that really is.
We do know that Crosby now is clean and is still making music (and not just trading on nostalgia, either; witness CPR) without the drugs he was once so desperately dependant upon.
Oh, no doubt. Eventually, it grabs them all, doesn’t it? I guess I’m just thinking that his makeup must have been pretty good to make it to 65, when the avergage lifespan’s what, 75, 80? A lot better than many high-profile celebs of his generation, so I think it’s a triumph in that regard. But in that regard only. If he was as dependent on those drugs at age 65 as he was at, say, age 30, then it wasn’t as much of a triumph overall. You’re right.
Ah, Damn.
“John and Mitchie were gettin’ kinda itchy just to leave the folk music behind…”
Creeque Alley