John Phillips

The Profile

John Phillips (1935–2001) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of The Mamas & the Papas. He organized the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, released the cult solo album John, the Wolf King of L.A. (1970), and co-wrote the Beach Boys’ hit Kokomo (1988).

Leader and principal songwriter of The Mamas & the Papas; organizer of the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival; solo album John, the Wolf King of L.A. (1970); co-writer of the Beach Boys’ “Kokomo” (1988); died in 2001.

A single, glowing review frames John Phillips as the mastermind of The Mamas & the Papas and celebrates his 1970 solo album as a hidden gem. It highlights his blend of pop, gospel, country, and folk, the contributions of James Burton and Larry Knechtel, and notes his role in the 1967 Monterey festival. Publicly known hits like California Dreamin', Monday, Monday, and co-writing Kokomo are acknowledged. Phillips died in 2001.