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Denny Doherty

Of Mamas and Papas, 66

Denny Doherty, 66, one-quarter of the 1960s folk-rock group the Mamas and the Papas, known for their soaring harmony on hits such as

"California Dreamin' " and

"Monday, Monday," died yesterday at his home in Mississauga, Ontario, after a short illness.

The group burst on the national scene in 1966 with the hit "California Dreamin'." It broke ground by having women and men in one group at a time when most singing groups were unisex. John Phillips, the group's chief songwriter; his wife, Michelle; and lead female vocalist Cass Elliot teamed with Doherty.

"Monday, Monday" hit No. 1 and won the group a Grammy. Among the group's other songs was "Go Where You Wanna Go."

In 1998, the group joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Mr. Doherty achieved a bit of immortality by both playing the Harbormaster and voicing all the characters for the children's TV series Theodore Tugboat. - AP