Phillips, Michelle (1944–)
Phillips, Michelle (1944–)
American singer and actress. Born Holly Michelle Gilliam, June 4, 1944, in Long Beach, CA; m. John Phillips (singer), 1962 (div. 1968); m. Dennis Hopper (actor), 1970 (div. 1970); m. Grainger Hines; m. Robert Burch (radio executive; marriage ended); children: Gilliam Chynna Phillips (b. 1968, singer known as Chynna Phillips); Austin Devereux Hines (b. 1982); Aron Wilson (adopted 1988); (stepdaughter) Mackenzie Phillips (actress).
Filled in as a singer with John Phillips' band, the Journeymen, then married him; with John and Marshall Brickman, formed New Journeymen folk group, performing at folk clubs in NYC; was joined by Denny Doherty and Cass Elliot to become The Mamas and the Papas; signed with Dunhill Records (1965) and released 1st single, "California Dreamin'," an instant hit (1966); followed with a string of hits, "Monday Monday," "I Saw Her Again," "Creeque Alley," "Words of Love," and "Dedicated to the One I Love"; performed at Monterey Pop Festival and can be seen in documentary Monterey Pop; when group dissolved (1968), pursued an acting career, appearing in tv series and such films as Dillinger (1973), Shampoo (1975), American Anthem (1986) and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1988). Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1998).
See also autobiography California Dreamin' (Warner, 1986); and Women in World History.