Michelle Phillips Is Ready to Talk About It
RollingStone India|October 2022
She spent her youth redefining the sound of pop with the Mamas and the Papas — and the next 50 years looking for something she could call her own. Now, she’s finally telling her whole story, on her own terms
ANGIE MARTOCCIO
Michelle Phillips Is Ready to Talk About It

THERE’S A MODEST HOME in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Cheviot Hills, with a stucco roof, a jacaranda tree out front, and a 1989 Mercedes 560SL in perfect condition resting in the driveway. Beyond a front porch with wind chimes and a couch pillow that reads “This is our happy place,” past a kitchen with copper pots hanging above the sink, you’ll find a living room with a floral stained-glass lamp standing in a corner. It’s the very lamp that Michelle Phillips seized from her Bel-Air mansion in 1969, when she decided to leave her husband behind. “I walked out with three things,” Phillips, 78, says. “My daughter, her crib, and the Tiffany lamp that I had to go back and steal, because I was so afraid of John.”

John Phillips — the cruel and domineering yet charismatic and gifted figure who dubbed himself L.A.’s “Wolf King” — has loomed large in her life ever since they met in the early months of the Kennedy administration, when Michelle was still a teenager. In the years that followed, they had a whirlwind romance and formed the Mamas and the Papas, scoring six Top 10 hits and redefining pop with their sunny, tight harmonies. When average Americans pictured hippies, these were the four people they saw, thanks to their frequent TV appearances.

Michelle was 24 when the group imploded, along with her marriage, leaving deep scars. She went on to a long career as an actress, working on everything from Knots Landing to Star Trek: The Next Generation, and a series of Hollywood romances (not to mention an eight-day marriage to Dennis Hopper). “She swore to herself that she would never, ever be in a position again where she would be dependent on a man,” says her daughter, Wilson Phillips singer Chynna Phillips. “She’s a determined woman.”

This story is from the October 2022 edition of RollingStone India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2022 edition of RollingStone India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM ROLLINGSTONE INDIAView All
UNCOVERING THE RELEVANCE OF BIBIMBAP IN THE KOREAN WAVE
RollingStone India

UNCOVERING THE RELEVANCE OF BIBIMBAP IN THE KOREAN WAVE

A SYMBOL OF KOREAN SOLIDARITY AND PLURALITY, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY OF FOOD TO SERVE AS A CULTURAL AMBASSADOR, BIBIMBAP IS BEING CONSUMED ACROSS COUNTRIES AS THE KOREAN WAVE ADVANCES

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
Anitta's Funk Revolution
RollingStone India

Anitta's Funk Revolution

After a major health scare, the Brazilian star learned to let go and got back to her roots

time-read
9 mins  |
March 2024
THE LEGEND AND HIS RHYTHM, IN FIVE TABLA MOVEMENTS
RollingStone India

THE LEGEND AND HIS RHYTHM, IN FIVE TABLA MOVEMENTS

He will turn 73 this month and he has just won three Grammys. But that is not going to slow down the maestro. Ustad Zakir Hussain is as busy with his Hindustani classical and fusion projects as he was when he started his career nearly six decades ago

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 2024
BLACKSWAN in CONVERSATION
RollingStone India

BLACKSWAN in CONVERSATION

BLACKSWAN REVEALS THEIR EXCITEMENT ABOUT COMING BACK TO INDIA, NOTABLY PERFORMING FOR THE K-TOWN FESTIVAL IN MUMBAI, AND MORE CANDID THOUGHTS IN THE FOLLOWING INTERVIEW

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2024
K-DRAMA FLASHBACK: ITAEWON CLASS
RollingStone India

K-DRAMA FLASHBACK: ITAEWON CLASS

With Park Seo-joon as Park Sae-ro-yi taking center stage, the drama is his journey of revenge, growth, and love, but it also questions prejudice, promotes inclusivity, and celebrates diversity with other unique characters

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
ALAN WALKER ON AI, GAMING NEW MUSIC AND INDIA PLANS
RollingStone India

ALAN WALKER ON AI, GAMING NEW MUSIC AND INDIA PLANS

The Norwegian DJ-producer speaks with us about revisiting core memories for the music video to his latest song \"Who I Am,\" building a virtual theme park-like Walkerworld and more

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2024
Tyla
RollingStone India

Tyla

The South African pop star on staying true to herself; dancing all night, and her Belieber past

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2024
Varijashree Venugopal Signs to GroundUp Music Label by Snarky Puppy's Michael League
RollingStone India

Varijashree Venugopal Signs to GroundUp Music Label by Snarky Puppy's Michael League

The Bengaluru vocalist, composer and flautist’s debut album Vari’ will arrive in May 2024

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
Echoes of Earth Goa Included Intriguing Installations, Manic Music and Vivacious Vibes
RollingStone India

Echoes of Earth Goa Included Intriguing Installations, Manic Music and Vivacious Vibes

India’s renowned eco-conscious celebration made its debut in the vibrant state of Goa from February 2nd to 4th, 2024

time-read
1 min  |
March 2024
Dana Fuchs: ‘I Think There Is Power In Vulnerability
RollingStone India

Dana Fuchs: ‘I Think There Is Power In Vulnerability

The American artist performed at this year's Mahindra Blues Festival in Mumbai

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024