Canadian singer Denny Doherty, from the 1960s folk-pop group the Mamas and 
the Papas, has died at the age of 66.

He died at his home near Toronto after a short illness, relatives said.

The Mamas and the Papas shot to fame in the late 1960s with hits 
characterised by soaring harmonies - including California Dreamin' and 
Monday, Monday.

The group also featured chief songwriter John Phillips, his wife Michelle 
and female vocalist "Mama Cass" Elliot.

Denny Doherty was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 29 November 1940.

He was already well established on the folk music scene when he joined the 
Mamas and the Papas on their formation in 1965.

The group recorded four albums before breaking-up in 1969.

The band sold an estimated 20 million albums but relationships among its 
members were undermined by jealousy and drug use, correspondents say.

Doherty went on to pursue a solo career in music as well as playing the 
Harbourmaster and voicing all the characters for the children's television 
series Theodore Tugboat.

He had been suffering recently from a number of complaints, including an 
abdominal aneurysm and had been put on dialysis for kidney problems, his 
sister told Canadian Press news agency.

Michelle Phillips is the only surviving member of the Mamas and the Papas.

"Mama Cass" Elliot died in 1974 aged 32 while John Phillips died in 2001 
aged 65.

(BBC News)