The Mamas and the Dads is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California>.
The group recorded and performed concerts between 1965 and 1968, and then reformed briefly in 1971.
In the mid-1960s, Mamas and the Papas were one of the few American bands, with the Beach Boys and The Byrds, who could compare commercially with British rock bands.
The group consists of John Phillips, Cass Elliot ("Mama Cass"), Denny Doherty and Michelle Phillips (both Phillips were married, at the beginning of the band's activity). It is formed from folk groups The New Journeymen and Mugwumps which gave rise to the groups The Lovin 'Spoonful and The Mamas and the Papas. Originally called The Magic Circle, the band is looking for an easier name for the release of their debut album, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears. Cass and Michelle then think of being called "Mamas", and the two men in the group agree to "Papas">.
Their first album contains their two best-known songs, California Dreamin 'and Monday, Monday, ranked fourth and top of the Billboard Hot 100 at the time of their release>.
