John Edmund Andrew Phillips, known as "Papa John," was an influential American musician, singer, and songwriter, born on August 30, 1935, in Parris Island, South Carolina. He was the leader of the renowned 1960s vocal group The Mamas & the Papas, for which he wrote most of the songs, including iconic hits like "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday." Phillips also penned "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" for Scott McKenzie and "Me and My Uncle," famously covered by the Grateful Dead. He played a significant role in organizing the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, a pivotal event in music history.

Phillips's early life was shaped by his upbringing in a military family, with his father being a retired Marine Corps officer. He grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, and attended Linton Hall Military School and Hampden–Sydney College before dropping out to pursue music. His career began with the folk trio The Journeymen, which included Scott McKenzie and Dick Weissman.

Throughout his life, Phillips was married four times and had five children, some of whom followed in his footsteps into the entertainment industry. His personal life was as colorful as his career, marked by his marriages to Susan Adams, Michelle Phillips, Geneviève Waïte, and Farnaz Arasteh.

John Phillips passed away on March 18, 2001, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence the music world.