Showbiz

EXCLUSIVE 60s singer from iconic folk-rock band is seen on rare outing in LA… can you guess who it is?

EXCLUSIVE
60s singer from iconic folk-rock band is seen on rare outing in LA... can you guess who it is?

A singer that was once part of a folk-rock band throughout the 1960s was spotted enjoying a rare outing in Los Angeles on Monday. 

The group was short-lived but notably released a total of five albums and won a Grammy Award for one of their hit tracks. 

After the band disbanded, she went on to embark a successful career in acting and starred alongside celebrities such as Martin Sheen, Audrey Hepburn and Sharon Stone. 

The star was later cast in a biographical gangster film in the early 1970s – which garnered her a Golden Globe nomination. 

The actress also had marriages and relationships to A-list stars, such as Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty. 

But can you guess who it is? 

EXCLUSIVE
60s singer from iconic folk-rock band is seen on rare outing in LA… can you guess who it is?

A singer that was once part of a folk-rock band throughout the 1960s was spotted enjoying a rare outing in Los Angeles on Monday – can you guess who it is?

It is Michelle Phillips, 80 – the former bandmate of The Mamas & the Papas which was formed back in 1965 in L.A. 

Along with Phillips, other past members in the group consisted of her then-husband John Phillips, Cᴀss Elliot (Mama Cᴀss) and Denny Doherty. 

The band is known for releasing hits such as California Dreamin’ (1965) and also Creeque Alley (1967). 

However, the group officially disbanded in early 1969 as members opted to embark on their own solo careers. 

Michelle – who is the only original surviving member of The Mamas & the Papas – was seen enjoying a solo excursion earlier this week on Monday. 

She donned a black and white-striped sweater as well as a pair of black trousers and closed-toed black pumps. 

The performer easily carried a black purse in her right hand to hold items she needed during the outing and also draped a black jacket over her right arm. 

Phillips accessorized the ensemble with a pair of dangly, pearl earrings and also sported black shades while strolling underneath the bright sunshine. 

It is Michelle Phillips, 80 - the former bandmate of The Mamas & the Papas which was formed back in 1965 in L.A.; seen in 1967 in the U.K.

It is Michelle Phillips, 80 – the former bandmate of The Mamas & the Papas which was formed back in 1965 in L.A.; seen in 1967 in the U.K. 

The star - who is the only original surviving member of The Mamas & the Papas - was seen enjoying a solo excursion earlier this week on Monday

The star – who is the only original surviving member of The Mamas & the Papas – was seen enjoying a solo excursion earlier this week on Monday

She donned a black and white-striped sweater as well as a pair of black trousers and closed-toed black pumps The performer easily carried a black purse in her right hand to hold items she needed during the outing and also draped a black jacket over her right arm

She donned a black and white-striped sweater as well as a pair of black trousers and closed-toed black pumps

Phillips accessorized the ensemble with a pair of dangly, pearl earrings and also sported black shades while strolling underneath the bright sunshine

Phillips accessorized the ensemble with a pair of dangly, pearl earrings and also sported black shades while strolling underneath the bright sunshine

After the band disbanded, she went on to embark a successful career in acting and starred alongside celebrities such as Martin Sheen, Audrey Hepburn and Sharon Stone Along with Phillips, other past members in the group consisted of her then-husband John Phillips, Cᴀss Elliot (Mama Cᴀss) and Denny Doherty

After the band disbanded, she went on to embark a successful career in acting and starred alongside celebrities such as Martin Sheen, Audrey Hepburn and Sharon Stone

The Mamas & the Papas was co-founded by Michelle, as well as former husband John Phillips and Canadian-born musician Denny Doherty. Cᴀss Elliot was the last to join the band. 

Along with California Dreamin’, they dropped other hit tracks such as Monday, Monday – which earned them a Grammy Award in 1967 for Best Contemporary (R&R) Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental.

Read More Michelle Phillips, Carnie Wilson, Chynna Phillips, Bijou Phillips and Mackenzie Phillips honor ‘Mama’ Cᴀss Elliott for her posthumous star on Hollywood Walk of Fame article image

During a past interview with Gold Mine Magazine, Michelle reflected on her years with the band. 

And when questioned what she ‘misses’ about the group, the actress admitted: ‘Nothing. I have such a wonderful life today.

‘I live in a house that I’ve lived in for years. I bought this house in 1978 and I’ve just improved it and improved. I just put a brand new Tiki bar in the backyard. It’s so cool. It’s a beautiful old Mexican house. I have two great dogs.’

She added, ‘I would not want to be doing The Mamas & The Papas anymore. But you know what? I am very proud of what we accomplished and I have no regrets about it.

‘I only have wonderful feelings about the group and what it taught me ’cause I learned a lot in that small journey. But I wouldn’t want to be there now.’ 

Michelle also commented on how the group had been ‘insulated’ and explained to the outlet, ‘Well, we were all living together and there was a very close relationship between the four of us.

Along with California Dreamin', they dropped other hit tracks such as Monday, Monday - which earned them a Grammy Award in 1967 for Best Contemporary (R&R) Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental; seen in 1967

Along with California Dreamin’, they dropped other hit tracks such as Monday, Monday – which earned them a Grammy Award in 1967 for Best Contemporary (R&R) Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental; seen in 1967 

‘John and Denny were best friends; Cᴀss was madly in love with Denny. Denny and I were having an affair. John and I were married. Cᴀss and Denny were best friends. It was like, we didn’t need anybody else in the picture.’ 

At one point, Michelle had been let go from the band in 1966 following her affair with Denny when she was still married to John. However, late that same year, she was brought back in. 

She also talked about some of the group’s music, such as California Dreamin’ – which was written by both Michelle and John Phillips. 

‘It was just another good song. We didn’t know it would become such a big hit record,’ the star revealed. 

‘It almost became a nothing song because we released it in December of ’65 and we released it nationally and nothing happened to it. We heard it on the radio once, I think, and then we didn’t hear it anymore.

‘Then all of a sudden, in about February of ’66, it broke in Boston of all places and then all of a sudden it became a great big hit,’ the singer added. 

And when questioned what she 'misses' about the group, the actress admitted: 'Nothing. I have such a wonderful life today'; seen in 1966 in L.A.

And when questioned what she ‘misses’ about the group, the actress admitted: ‘Nothing. I have such a wonderful life today’; seen in 1966 in L.A. 

During an interview with Rolling Stone, the star opened up about her transition from performing to acting; seen in 2022 in Hollywood

During an interview with Rolling Stone, the star opened up about her transition from performing to acting; seen in 2022 in Hollywood 

After The Mamas & the Papas disbanded, Michelle began to focus on her career in acting and starred in projects such as The Last Movie (1971) and Dillinger (1973). 

The latter earned the songstress a Golden Globe nomination at the time for Most Promising Newcomer. 

She also took on roles in films including Valentino (1977), The Covenant (1985) and Scissors (1991). 

Phillips additionally branched out to the world of television and starred in the series тιтled Knots Landing (1987-1993). 

Michelle also had guests roles in beloved shows such as Beverly Hills, 90210 and The Love Boat. 

During an interview with Rolling Stone, the star opened up about her transition from performing to acting. 

She also previously dated other Hollywood stars such as Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson; seen above in 1970 with Nicholson

She also previously dated other Hollywood stars such as Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson; seen above in 1970 with Nicholson 

‘I enjoyed acting more than I enjoyed singing. Singing for me was so difficult,’ she revealed to the publication. 

The performer also had high-profile relationships, including her marriage to John Phillips (1962-1969). She also tied the knot with Easy Rider actor Dennis Hopper – but their marriage lasted only eight days. 

Michelle married Robert Burch in 1978 but the pair divorced the following year.

She also previously dated other Hollywood stars such as Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson.  

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