Sadness Over Passing of California Dreamin' Vocalist

Learning of the passing of so many artists that painted the canvas of Baby Boomer popular culture during my youth makes me gloomy to see them leave this world. With the death of Mamas and the Papas band member Denny Doherty yesterday, his music will still live on, but somehow it only puts another painful hit on those of us that remain behind. Doherty died at the age of 66 from kidney ailment complications. For you Gen X and Gen Y readers, The Mamas and the Papas, broke the mold for traditional unisex musical groups by presenting a blend of '60s upbeat pop and folk music while trailblazing the path for future bands made up of both women and men to be within acceptable limits. Their number one hit "California Dreamin" is one of my personal favorites. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

Denny, we’ll miss your angelic voice, but we can smile and hold our lighters up knowing you’re probably vocalizing some great harmonies with the late Papa John Phillips and Mama Cass Elliot now as you sleep the final sleep.

Sleep well, Denny.

T