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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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MUGWUMPS, The

USA pop/folk group '64, named after the 19th-century American term for politicians who sat on the fence with their mug on one side and wump on the other. John Phillips, Cass Elliot, Zalman Yanovsky, James Hendricks (b 19 Dec. '44, Toronto) drifted together in Greenwich Village folk circuit and rehearsed for more exciting things, making only nine surviving tracks. Phillips ex-Journeymen; Elliot and Hendricks ex-Big Three; Yanovsky from duo with Denny Doherty; Phillips and Elliot went on to found Mamas & Papas with Doherty and Michelle Gilliam; Yanovsky founded the Lovin' Spoonful with John Sebastian (who may have played harmonica on Mugwump cuts); Hendricks tried solo career as singer/songwriter. Thumbnail sketch of group in Mamas & Papas hit "Creeque Alley'.