Denny Doherty

One of the founding members of the 1960s pop group the Mamas and the Papas, Denny Doherty's soaring voice and ringing harmonies brought luster to the group's biggest hits, including "California Dreamin'," "Monday, Monday" and "I Saw Her Again." A veteran of the folk scenes in both America and his native Canada, Doherty joined John Phillips, his wife Michelle, and Cass Elliot in 1965 to form the group, which quickly exploded into one of the biggest acts in pop music. But internal strife, both professional and romantic, soon tore them apart, leaving Doherty to flounder until returning to Canada in the mid-1970s to forge a new career as an actor. After reuniting briefly with Phillips in a new Mamas and Papas lineup, he found fame as the host of "Theodore Tugboat," (CBC, 1993-2001), a popular children's series seen around the world. After being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, he created "Dream a Little Dream," a musical review based on his experiences with his former bandmates, which drew critical acclaim. Doherty died in 2007, leaving behind a life filled with beautiful music that continued to thrill generations of listeners seeking their own version of California dreams.