Posted by chicagomedia.org on September 25, 2009 at 12:03:08:
The Mamas and the Papas: Do you hear their music differently now?
Mackenzie Phillips' incest accusations against father John Phillips may ruin tunes for some
Mark Caro | Chicago Tribune
September 25, 2009
The Mamas and the Papas' "California Dreaming" is inextricably associated with glorious harmonies, sunny feelings and, as of Wednesday, one Papa's alleged drug-fueled, incestuous relationship with his daughter.
Once again we're tested on our ability to separate the music from the musician. R. Kelly was charged with, and eventually acquitted of, child pornography. Chris Brown was charged with, and eventually pleaded guilty to, assaulting girlfriend Rihanna. Their songs play on.
Now Mackenzie Phillips is promoting her memoir, "High on Arrival," by saying her father, Mamas and the Papas singer John Phillips, raped her when she was 19 and repeatedly slept with her over the following decade. John Phillips died in 2001, and his ex-wife Michelle Phillips disputes her claims, though Mackenzie's half-sister Chynna offered support.
But what about the rest of us who may have a new ick reflex upon hearing John Phillips sing?
"Up to this point, I have yet to receive one e-mail, one phone call saying, 'How could you be playing this music?' " "True Oldies" WLS-94.7 FM program director Michael LaCrosse said Thursday.
Brian Thomas, CBS Radio's vice president of classic hits programming, said his stations have received just "a few" calls and haven't pulled their Mamas/Papas staple, "California Dreaming."
"True Oldies" jockey Scott Shannon, whose show runs on WLS, said he sees no need for a ban. "The guy's dead, for God's sake," he said. "That's not going to accomplish anything."
But, he added that when he spun "Monday Monday" on Thursday, he couldn't help but remark, "The song doesn't sound as good to me as it used to."