Michelle said that John was "everything she wanted in a man," and they began a 2 week courtship. They really didn't consider the minute detail that John was married and had two kids, and that Michelle was only 17. But, The Journeymen were touring, and John had to leave. He promised Michelle he would call her, but he didn't. So, Michelle decided to take matters into her own hands, and went to tell John's wife that he was her's now. John's wife felt sorry for Michelle, but in the end I'm sure she felt sorry for herself when John divorced her for Michelle. The couple wed in late 1962, with the Journeymen dissolved.

Michelle wasn't a singer, but John wanted to continue his music career, and he knew that if Michelle was in his group, his group would make more money. John convinced her of this, so Michelle became a singer. (I think she has a pretty soprano voice) John then found a leader for his group: Denny Doherty. Denny and Michelle became fast friends and grew closer as time wore on. Maybe a little too close. The three were soon introduced to Cass Elliot and the four became as close as four freshmen and two juniors (don't ask, it's my own personal simile)could be.

As a form of creativity, not to mention to escape New York's folk scene for a while, John, Michelle, and Denny decided to go....somewhere. They spun a globe, and Michelle threw a dart. It landed on St. Thomas, so the three and 13 of their bestest buddies (Cass not included)went there. Michelle was happy to be back in warm weather, while John and Denny were ready to make some money and make some music. They got a job as entertainment at Duffy's place, and made a strong friendship with the owner, Duffy.

John was really concentrating on his music, so Denny and Michelle became closer friends. They'd walk on the beach, go for a swim, smoke a joint, have a drink, just anything friends would do. But by the time Cass came by, Michelle and Denny's friendship had evolved into flirtatious romance.

Michelle may have been a good drinker, drugger, and swearer, but she was very immature. She didn't have the maturity to stay out of Denny's arms. Or tell him not to kiss her. But, the inevitable happened...later.

The four returned to California and were given an audition with hot producer Lou Adler. Michelle thought that Lou hated their sound, but Lou loved it! He signed them, gave them money, and his producing guidance. Money was the save on the groups wound. But, not even money could save them.

The inevitable happened one night while Cass and John were stoned and knocked out. Michelle and Denny went to the neighboring apartment and slept with each other. When it came out, John and Cass were furious. Ultimately it caused Michelle and John to split.

Michelle had a thing for guys. It was because of her boyfriend that she was fired from the group by John. John couldn't take the fact that she was blowing kisses to him on stage right in front of him. The firing depressed Michelle and she begged to be let back in. It didn't take much--her replacement, Jill Gibson, didn't sound the same.

Michelle and John struggled in their marriage as well. They got back together, and had one child, Chynna, but they broke up for good, and so did the Mamas and Papas. Sadly, Michelle and John hardly speak.

Michelle now enjoys a successful career as an actress. She is most noted for her role as the mother from hell Anne Matheson on Knots Landing. (That was when I first saw Michelle, before I even knew she was a member of the Mamas and Papas.) Michelle also took care of John's other children during his terrible struggle with drugs. Michelle did give a great performance along with John and Denny when the Mamas and Papas were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.