By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-15 17:05:10 | Updated at 2025-01-15 19:47:35
2 hours ago
She was once the voice of a groundbreaking folk rock group that helped define the music scene during the 1960s counterculture movement.
Formed in 1965 by her and her husband, the musical quartet is famed for its timeless hits, including its most famous track that had fans dreaming about California.
The singer herself became a cultural icon in her own right as a pioneer for female vocalists in the male-dominated rock scene of the 60s which saw her endure the pressures and chaos of the rock-and-roll lifestyle.
She is now the last surviving member of the group after the death of the band's other female member in 1974, followed by her ex-husband in 2001, and another member in 2007.
The music icon largely keeps a low profile these days and was hardly recognizable during a recent rare public appearance in Los Angeles.
Can you guess who it is?
This 1960s musical icon was hardly recognizable during a rare public outing in Los Angeles on Tuesday
The singer, who was once a lead vocalist of a groundbreaking folk rock group synonymous with the counterculture era, was seen grocery shopping at a local Trader Joe's, in exclusive DailyMail.com photos
It's Michelle Phillips from the Mamas & the Papas!
Now 80 years old, Phillips is one of the few remaining links to an era of music that changed everything following the deaths of bandmates John Phillips, Cass Elliot, and Denny Doherty.
She is seen in exclusive DailyMail.com photos visiting a local Trader Joe's store on Tuesday and stocking up on groceries.
Phillips looked comfy and casual in a pink cardigan with a t-shirt underneath, crisp white pants, and dark sunglasses.
She tied her blonde hair up in a messy bun and appeared in good health as she drove herself to and from the grocery store.
These days the legendary singer lives a much more lowkey lifestyle compared to that in her heyday, which saw her indulge in the excesses of the 60s and 70s music scene.
Now 80 years old, Michelle Phillips, pictured left in her heyday in 1967, is one of the few remaining links to an era of music that changed everything following the deaths of her Mamas & the Papas bandmates
The singer looked comfy and casual in a pink cardigan with a t-shirt underneath, crisp white pants, and dark sunglasses
She was married to the Mamas & the Papas' founder and lead songwriter John Phillips for seven years, until their divorce in 1993.
The couple had one child together, singer Chynna Phillips, now 56.
Michelle and John's marriage was marred by infidelity, drug abuse, and the pressures of fame, which played out publicly during the band's career.
John, who died in 2001 at the age of 65, infamously had an affair with Elliot, the band's other female vocalist, which created tensions within the group.
Michelle herself had an affair with bandmate Denny Doherty, along with Roman Polanski at the time the director was expecting a child with Sharon Tate.
The band, which shot to stardom with hits 'California Dreamin',' 'Monday, Monday,' and 'Dedicated to the One I Love,' split in 1968 just three years after achieving mainstream success.
Phillips (second from right) is the only living member of the Mamas & the Papas, consisting of late ex-husband John Phillips (left) Cass Elliot, and Denny Doherty
The group, famed for its iconic track California Dreamin', achieved mainstream success in its first year but became marred by scandalous affairs among members, drug abuse, and the pressures of fame
Michelle (far right) was seen attending a ceremony for late bandmate Cass Elliot's posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with (from left to right) daughter Chynna Phillips, stepdaughter Bijou Phillips, Elliot's daughter Owen Elliot-Kugell, and stepdaughter Mackenzie Phillips in 2022
The group briefly reunited in 1971 to release a new album before disbanding again shortly after.
At the height of her fame Michelle had a whirlwind marriage to actor Dennis Hopper that lasted just eight days, as well as high-profile romances with Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty.
She divorced her third husband, radio producer John Burch, in 1979 after one year.
