Denny Doherty funeral held today in Halifax... 01/27/2007
http://www.canadaeast.com/ce2/docroo...rticleID=96564
Denny Doherty...
Michelle Phillips...
Michelle Phillips says it feels odd to be the last surviving member of the Mamas and the Papas.
She hasn't been in Halifax for 30 years, but is back in town to remember her longtime friend Denny Doherty at his funeral today.
The former member of the legendary '60s folk-rock band says she probably won't sing at the service.
And if not for the influence of a "very persuasive" Doherty, she wouldn't have sung at the 2001 memorial service for her ex-husband and chief Mamas and Papas songwriter John Phillips either.
"There was nothing you wouldn't do for (Denny)," said Phillips as she sat in her Halifax hotel room yesterday. He gently coaxed me into getting up and singing at John's memorial, which I really did not want to do and I was really not going to do. I put my foot down and said, 'I'm not going to go on stage.' "Denny talked to me for four minutes and I was onstage. He was very persuasive, very gentle and sweet."
Phillips will give a eulogy at Doherty's funeral at St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church.
Doherty, 66, died at his home in Mississauga, Ont., on Jan. 19 of complications from surgery.
The singer, born in Halifax's north end, had surgery on Dec. 14 after suffering an aneurysm in his abdomen.
[ January 27, 2007, 08:04: Message edited by: Jesse-Joe ]