The Monkees: The Untold Truth Of The TV Show

[@GrungeHQ]

What do you think of The Monkees?

[@mrrocknroll5284]

Been a fan since I was 2

[@PhoenixLyon]

Loved them since I was 9. So, 50 year fan. Davey was cute, but Peter had my heart!✌😸

[@jessiehernandez9468]

Love them

[@sunnyangiebeenestork1899]

LOVE THEM FOREVER--Michael and Peter were always my co-favorites. LOVE THEM ALL!

[@AllieA1982]

Very underrated. Deserve to be in the R.R.H.F

[@cs7511]

John Lennon said the Monkees were the funniest act since the Marx Brothers. He also said he never missed an episode. George Harrison stated, that if they could pull things together, they could be one of the best.

[@rebeccabledsoe4550]

Amen

[@MegTheGem1]

I once fan-girled about finding The Best of The Monkees in a thrift store years ago and the cashier asked if I wasn't too young to know them! Blew his mind when I said my favorite song is Auntie Grizelda

[@susanmccormick6022]

Oh yes,Peter at his best.Auntie G had nooo taste-"I know she's havin' a fit,she doesn't like me a bit..."What's there not to like?!

[@jadeblues357]

I don’t know how old you were but I was six when they started the syndication on Saturday afternoons and I remember the show👍🏻😏😎

[@lfirehorse7225]

That's my fave! You rock

[@serenjns]

I can relate. My faves are Auntie Grizelda and Randy Scouse Git. It varies.

[@donatellod.dabbins3609]

My mom got me into the Monkees when I was little, and they are one of my favorite bands. The show is so funny and iconic from a historical TV standard.

[@GrungeHQ]

Very neat! We think so too.

[@billkeithchannel]

I loved it and my sister hated it. We only say it in reruns in the early 70's.

[@meyerj75]

Same here. It was on WLVI TV 56 (Boston, Mass.) where it all started.

[@twikid4134]

I was heartbroken when Davy passed. My husband and I met him after a concert just a couple of months prior to his passing. I was even more devastated when Peter passed in 2019, he was my favorite Monkee.

[@billkeithchannel]

As a child I was such a fan of both The Monkees and The Brady Bunch so the Davy Jones guest appearance was a great episode.

[@susanmccormick6022]

Mine too.Peter I mean.

[@rheathesecond]

There wouldn't be a name like David Bowie without Davy Jones. Jones was Bowie's real last name, and was made to avoid confusion with the already popular Monkees TV star.

[@im_afraid_of_americans3918]

I love the Monkees and my brother was in a band in the 60's and would let me sing many of thier songs ❤🙂Great memories.

[@GrungeHQ]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing.

[@katjagolden893]

Wasn’t it Nesmith’s mother who invented liquid paper/white-out

[@joanistock1672]

Yes it was. I worked with a woman who said she was his sister and their mom invented liquid paper

[@katjagolden893]

@@joanistock1672 Wow 😮 Cool 😁

[@susanmccormick6022]

@@joanistock1672 I wonder if his sis is checking he is ok,only I have heard some worrying things about Nez,his health & an assistant.

[@lesliegoodman-malamuth9796]

Betty Nesmith, we former secretaries honor you!

[@juliemcarthur3004]

Yes

[@chereec7701]

The Monkees got me through a horrific, abusive childhood. I was 6 in 1975 when the show went into general syndication. I was instantly smitten with them, and I never missed an episode. They'll never know how they helped me survive. Mickey has always been my favorite Monkee, but my heart belongs to all of them.

[@harveysmidlap]

I remember watching them after school back in 1968 when I was 10 and memories of my older sister yelling at me when she would catch me playing her Monkee albums. Too bad they never made it to the "Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame" or got some kind of award before some of them died. :(

[@jessiehernandez9468]

They should be in the Rock and Roll Hall.of fame. Their music made it in the hit list

[@susanmccormick6022]

@@jessiehernandez9468 Someone said one person has kept them out & until that person dies,no hope.

[@margaretinglese403]

Might it be the same person who refuses to allow Warren Zevon in?

[@juliestrom412]

Sugar cereal, bell bottoms, playing outside till street lights came on, no locking your home, AM Radio, dogs just part of the neighborhood, no leash laws. Ghost stories, 4 square. Block parties and the magic goes on. If you were lucky enough you were lucky enough to be a middle class kid in the 60's. Tiger Beat! Who was your favorite monkee?

[@GrungeHQ]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing!

[@susanmccormick6022]

1.Peter,2.Mike n Davy,3.Micky.

[@maureendevries1904]

Peter

[@lisahorsepony]

They were all my favorites. They all had their special talents which contributed to the show's success. I can't imagine anyone else playing the characters in the show. The producers and directors struck gold when they cast the Monkees characters. ❤❤❤

[@susanmccormick6022]

@@maureendevries1904 What was it about Peter that made him your fav?I first flipped for Davy,but then I saw Peter's face & became a Believer!Auntie Griselda had nooo taste.

[@charlesclager6808]

They were fun and made me laugh. Hell, if I could find Monkees' reruns I'd watch them today. So sad that Jones and Tork passed.

[@dggydddy59]

Just FYI, every episode is available free on KZbin. Cheers!

[@PhoenixLyon]

@@dggydddy59 Thank the gods! Love it.✌😸

[@billkeithchannel]

You mean: [coo-coo coo-coo] if I could find Monkees' reruns...

[@peepaw_of_9]

Mike Nesmith died just yesterday. 🙁

[@susanmccormick6022]

And now we have lost Papa Nez.Gutted!

[@barefootcontessa3112]

I was 6 when these guys rose to fame and instantly smitten by them and their music, I’m 62 now and still listen to their music for the wonderful memories it envokes.

[@richardranke3158]

My younger brother got me into the Monkees and I quickly became a bigger fan than he was.

[@kl2894]

My preteen daughter and I watch The Monkees together on nights when she has trouble sleeping. It's a great way to de-stress. I saw them live in 1988 (without Mike) and they were absolutely amazing.

[@MysticHeather]

That’s such a sweet idea and they’re perfect for that seeing as how the show is silly and sweet, great way to take the mind off unpleasant things

[@angelsmagick]

I remember when they were played on radio.... I'm so Old...

[@christineparis5607]

Me too! I was born in 1961, and had a big crush Davy Jones (What was I thinking!? Even at ten years old I was a foot taller than he was..). I still listen to a couple of their songs on my running playlist, it's fun!

[@susanmccormick6022]

@@christineparis5607 Davy said he liked tall girls.

[@kimberlylicavoli2076]

I was born in 1970, my dad first introduced me to the Beatles and of course the Monkees! I get so excited when a channel actually shows an episode here and there. They're classic tv and need to be on more! Always loved Mickey! May Davy, Peter and Mike rest in peace; Heaven is getting funnier and more musical xoxo.

[@doctordetroit4339]

They were the original MTV.

[@jameschavez6400]

Peter back then got me mixed up thinking he was Shaggy from Scooby doo

[@harperstacey9604]

He looked like shaggy. 😂. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@cromlaughsatyourfourwinds8333]

Davey Jones, Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith. RIP guys and thanks for all the great music.

[@meyerj75]

My mother saw the Monkees live in Forest Hills, NYC back in 1967 along with countless amounts of fans screaming their lungs out at the time. I managed to see Davy Jones, Micki Dolenz, & Peter Tork (as part of Shoeswing Blues) individually at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut and even have Micki's autograph!!

[@lindas.5191]

meyerj75 Shoe Suede Blues.

[@stargirlzx]

I believe that was a show where the opening act was jimi hendrix but I might be wrong

[@lesliefitzgerald2354]

it was one terrific ride, my three siblings and I watched every Monday night. Our folks did not approve, but we were all glued to the TV and bought all their music. So hard to believe it was only two seasons. It was such a great time, I would have guessed it was at least four years!!!!

[@jeffalderson279]

Yes 2 years 58 episode's they wanted more of a variety show format for a third year but was turned down

[@chrissullivan4496]

Mickey Dolenz. RULES

[@JBowman-ps2ri]

I remember watching it with my mom back in the mid 80s on Nick@Nite on Nickelodeon when it first began & played all the old tv shows. I loved N@N watching the old black & whites with mom! Mr. Ed, Patty Duke, Monkees, etc... True classics! I think N@N started playing Monkees show before MTV did?!? But Mr. Ed was always my FAVORITE!!! 😆 I can still sing the whole theme song LOL

[@infinitecowboy3218]

Um, some things you got wrong, part 2: 3. The L.A. Wrecking Crew did play on the Monkees earliest recordings, but it was only on the songs written and/or produced by Michael. The Monkees stopped playing as a band on record after 1967 and Michael once again used the L.A. Wrecking Crew. Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart used Hart's band, the Candy Store Prophets on the songs they wrote and/or produced. For the second album, Jeff Barry, Jack Keller, Neil Sedaka and Carole Bayer, Carole King and Gerry Goffin would use musicians out of New York. Or rather Kirshner would, and then fly the tapes to California for Micky or Davy (and occasionally Peter) to add their vocals to. Keller, Goffin and King had to give up half of the production and production royalties to producer Jeff Barry to ensure the songs they wrote got one of the album slots on the second album. Barry recalled not being involved with their music productions at all. And it's a mystery as to why Keller, Goffin and King had to give up half of their part of the production royalties. Kirshner seemed to have no loyalty. He dispensed with Boyce and Hart after their efforts proved a huge success. Kirshner brought in Barry to produce the second album. And for the third album, it appeared he was going to dispense with Barry and allow Denny Randell to produce the third album. Unfortunately, for Kirshner, the second album with the Monkees was to be the last. 4. Harry Nilsson was not among the songwriters who were part of Kirshner's stable of songwriters. In fact, Kirshner's stable of songwriters wanted no involvement with the Monkees, but changed their minds after the Monkees's debut album sold five million copies. Then, they were clammoring for Kirshner to get the Monkees to record their songs. Nilsson, however, was not part of that stable. He was working for a bank in California at the time when the Monkees were in the process of recording their third or fourth album under the aegis of "Chip" Douglas Farthing Hatlelid, who had been a member of the Modern Folk Quartet and who had played bass for the Turtles and arranged the horns for the Turtles's song "Happy Together." The MFQ had recorded one of Harry's songs, and Chip had invited Harry to come by the studio and say hello and meet the Monkees. It was one of the happiest meetings that would occur as the Monkees stopped to let Nilsson record some demos of his songs. The Monkees quickly decided they wanted to do "Cuddly Toy" and "Mr. Richland's Favorite Song." Both songs would be recorded, although the latter would remain unreleased, although a Nesmith-produced version of the latter with Nilsson on vocals and piano would appear on a deluxe edition of "The Birds, The Bees and The Monkees." Chip told Harry after the Monkees recorded "Cuddly Toy," that he could quit his job at the bank. That was an assessment which proved to be true as Harry made quite a bit of money from the Monkees's version of his song. The End for now.

[@THE_bchat]

They way you word #3 makes it sound like Kirshner just tossed people aside to make the second album, when the reality is that the second album wasn't planned too far in advance of its release. Kirshner took leftover tracks from the initial sessions, combined those with tracks meant mainly for inclusion on the tv show, and rushed "More of The Monkees" out to capitalize on the success of the first album. There are more producers on the second album because they had to meet the needs of the show with more than a single album's worth of material.

[@davidschumaker8107]

When I was a kid, I remember "cutting out" the equivalent of a 45 of "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" from the back of a cereal box. Great times!

[@PhoenixLyon]

I did that, too! Also the Archies had a cut-out record on Honey Comb? wasn't it? Man, that's when cereal was worth eating!🎶✌😸

[@davidschumaker8107]

@@PhoenixLyon I'm thinking that The Archies were on the Super Sugar Crisp boxes and I was eating Honey-Comb, with the Monkees on it. All were good!

[@PhoenixLyon]

@@davidschumaker8107 Ack! You are right! I swapped cereals, depending on the freebie. Froot Loops, Fruity Pebbles, Honey Comb, Super Sugar Crisp...now Super Golden Crisp (wth, is sugar a dirty word?) like dropping the word sugar will make it healthier. LOL They don't seem to have cool goodies in cereal anymore. I think that's a shame. Did you ever eat the cereal faster so your mom would buy a different one? Also, I wasn't allowed to dig through the box, the goodie had to come out on its own.😿 Fun stroll down memory lane!✌😿

[@lisahorsepony]

Yes! I remember the "45" cutouts on the cereal boxes. I think the one I had was "I wanna be free" Thank you for reminding us about that. I almost forgot! 😄😊

[@davidschumaker8107]

@@PhoenixLyon Once we opened the box, we were allowed to dig for that sucker, but we had to finish the box before starting a new one. Parents were sooooo strict back then!😆

[@spookerredmenace3950]

i love their movie HEAD, its so weird

[@harperstacey9604]

Annette funicello made a cameo appearance in the film. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@meyerj75]

I rather see HEAD more than JAWS. HEAD is funny while JAWS is too scary.

[@katjagolden893]

I loved watching reruns ofThe Monkeys as a kid in the late 80s

[@marshamariner7897]

Has ANYBODY HERE ever seen the movie HEAD w the Monkees. Not ur usual thing for them. Script wise. And Jack Nicholson had a hand in it. So that says alot

[@terryriley8963]

There’s a film clip where a reporter asks Mike Nesmith, who was walking out to play a live concert in front of thousands of screaming fans carrying his guitar and a stupid reporter asks him ‘can you really play that guitar?’ Mike Nesmith looks at him and says ‘Man! If I can’t play this guitar then I’m in big trouble’.

[@jc0730]

I loved many of their songs, remember watching the show (which was mildly funny) and have to say that they were more talented than they were considered. Peace to Davy, Peter and Mike.. Rock on Micky!

[@joycliffe266]

One only has to listen to "Goin' Down" to appreciate how much of a fantastic singer Micky Dolenz was (and still is). Whilst Mike had his song writing going for him, Peter could play a myriad of instruments and Davy had his stageshow background, Micky was more than just an ex-child actor. Micky could belt out a tune and bring his acting chops to it. He even wrote a couple of memorable songs himself such as "Randy Scouse Git" (AKA Alternate Title). I know Micky went on to do other things like directing, but I've always wondered whether given the chance, he could have struck out on his own as a singer, given his talent.

[@THE_bchat]

Micky released multiple singles throughout the 1970s, and several full albums since the 1990s, but without the big budget marketing behind him, nobody noticed.

[@joycliffe266]

@@THE_bchat Yes, that's true. I guess what I meant to say was that he should have been a bigger success as a solo singer given his talent. However, as you point out he didn't have the big budget marketing behind him. I always wonder whether he would have pursued singing if the TV show hadn't come about also, or just stuck with acting. I particularly enjoyed Micky's most recent album, a reimagining of Nesmith's songs, "Dolenz Sings Nesmith".

[@THE_bchat]

@@joycliffe266 Dolenz was in a band before the Monkees, so I think the passion was there. I agree with you in that he should have been more successful outside of the group.

[@joycliffe266]

@@THE_bchat Thanks for all your information. Very much appreciated.

[@alfrediceman9506]

@@joycliffe266 well he's now the sole survivor so if anything happens it's all on him now... RIP Mike Nesmith

[@rtrout57]

"Headquarters" is one of my favorite albums.

[@MysticHeather]

My cousin and I were crazy about the monkees when we were kids/tweens and that would’ve been about 20 or so years ago lol I was so sad when Peter left us, his character was so precious

[@jerryschramm4399]

Rafelson also did "Head" with the Monkees in 1968. A really weird movie. But definitely worth finding and watching. Rafelson also did "Five Easy Pieces", starring Jack Nicholson and Karen Black. Terrific movie.

[@shackdaddy7106]

The reason why Mike Nesmith was independently wealthy is because his mother invented liquid paper. Those of you under the age of 30 cannot fully understand the significance of that. Before wordprocessing came along I used gallons of that stuff. When it comes to great songwriters who wrote songs for the Monkees, it cannot be forgotten that Neil Diamond wrote I’m a believer.

[@carriebohnsack190]

Nickelodeon reran the series in the late 80's and that's when I became a fan. My first concert was their 25th anniversary tour. Their opening act was Weird Al.

[@leoslick]

Damn I went to that same concert lol. I always wondered how those 2 we're paired for a tour

[@jeffalderson279]

And Jimi hendrix opened for them in 1967 for a few shows before leaving

[@loralee4848]

Love the Monkees. Always did. 🦋💜🦋

[@katewithat]

I grew up watching The Monkees thanks to my older sisters...and we just saw Micky & Mike in concert last month on their Monkees Farewell Tour :)

[@jefffloyd7105]

You are lucky and awesome

[@bloohatesyou420]

I cried for days after Davy & Peter died😢 I’m one of the few very worried about Mikes Caretaker… Edit: I’m now bawling my eyes out😭🥲💔

[@toddwilkinson1834]

Yes, that relationship between Mike and his "caretaker" is troubling for sure. She is extremely controlling. It is disturbing to see. I just caught the Farewell tour with Mike and Mickey. Mickey carried the show with Mike contributing maybe 10%. He looks and acts very fragile. Really sad.

[@bloohatesyou420]

@@toddwilkinson1834 it’s truly heartbreaking & I wish I could help him... but you’re very lucky you got to still experience seeing the two of them!

[@susanmccormick6022]

At last, somebody else concerned about Nez!

[@toddwilkinson1834]

Ok. After realizing my mis-spelling of his name, I also noticed other mis-spellings of his name in the comments. My apologies Mr. Dolenz. It is MICKY. Not Mickey as I had spelled it. It is also not Mickie. Respect to you Micky for keeping those Monkees (not monkeys) memories alive for us aging children of the sixties.

[@MysticHeather]

Oh no, I adore mike! I hadn’t heard about any of this! Mike and Peter were my faves.. this sounds similar to Nichelle Nichols caretaker situation so sad

[@erics423]

i used to watch them on tv back in the 70s

[@SANDYMILLER23]

Michael Nesmith just passed away. My heart is so sad. My the Lord be with his family. Please have fun and play great music in Heaven with your Monkee brothers Peter and Davy.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🖤💛❤️💙💚

[@juneberry1982]

It was the 1986 reruns that introduced me to The Monkees. I was in the sixth grade and I fell in love with them and have been ever since! Fairy Tale is my favorite episode and Pleasant Valley Sunday is my favorite song! 🐒🙉🙈🙊 💙💚💛💜

[@impalaman9707]

Pleasant Valley Sunday is what I consider a beautiful melody! Loved it ever since I was a kid, and the lyrics were ones I could relate to growing up in suburbia

[@juneberry1982]

@@impalaman9707 That's part of why I love it too. I didn't grow up in suburbia, but almost every house on our street was the same floorplan with only minor variations on each. It's a very memory provoking, nostalgic song and it will always be my favorite Monkees' song! 🐒😍🎵💜😘

[@kayequinn7146]

Loved the Fairy Tale episode. Shades of Gray is my favorite song,actually had lyrics & ideas that were rather serious,not what would be expected from them. Pleasant Valley Sunday is one that is very observant I think & still can be found in society today.

[@impalaman9707]

@@kayequinn7146 At least it was in 1986 when I was growing in the burbs--20 years after it was recorded.

[@kayequinn7146]

@@impalaman9707 I was 12,in 7th grade & my friends & I loved the show. We also did the whole go-go boots 👢 dance 🕺 on platforms a la Shindig et al thing. Oh we were sooooo cool 😎!

[@christineparis5607]

My favorite "fake" band on tv shows in the 60s was watching the Partridge Family pretend to play instruments, strumming the bass guitar, pounding the same chords continually on the electric piano, etc...everything was so terrible! Remember when the Brady Bunch actually took their fake band skills on tour!?! Those poor kids...

[@johnnypk1963]

David Cassidy was actually a fairly accomplished guitar player, at the time of the show.

[@christineparis5607]

@@johnnypk1963 You are right! I forgot that he had a couple of hits then on the radio. He was very much and up and coming actor as well. His younger brother was one of the Hardy Boys, in the 70s? I remember the the Hardy Boys Mystery series, but the tv show really looked thrown together, even for that time.

[@maureendevries1904]

Hahaha! What a hoot!

[@fantasyprincessgirl]

The band also influenced various boy bands and teen idols! :)

[@THE_bchat]

One thing I never see get pointed out in these types of videos is the fact that Micky Dolenz had to learn how to play drums (for when they started playing live less than a year later) after he was picked to be part of the tv series.

[@marla591]

And Now Nesmith is gone so only Dolenz is left. RIP

[@bigdoubleu117]

Sadly The Monkees still seem to get no credit for their early work on the first 2 albums. It's still widely believed that none of the 4 members wrote or played any instruments on the 1st 2 albums, this is false. Mike wrote Sweet Young Thing and Mary, Mary. And Peter played instruments like the banjo and keyboard on certain tracks.

[@DebiG1057]

I still listen to them!

[@england8186]

ME TOO

[@christineparis5607]

I'm a believer!...🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵

[@giselestrauch5146]

RIP mike nesmith , peter tork and davy jones!!!!!

[@neilmustow368]

Mike Nesmith R.I.P😢🎸

[@80wolfmanrob]

I think they were the first boy band crush my cousin had. She had their poster and I made fun of her then she moved on to the next boy band. I remember over the 80-90's watching her posters of boy bands change. I of course made fun of every single one lol.

[@dirtcop11]

Michel Nesmith died a few days ago, which leaves just Mickey Dolenz. The Last Train to Clarksville had people all over NE MO and Western IL flocking to Clarksville, MO. They thought the Monkees would come to Clarksville on a train.

[@jimwavect]

I'm watching the show right now - a broadcast station is airing both seasons this weekend. When the TV show came out in 1966, I was a preteen and my dad wouldn't let me watch - called it "garbage". I really miss these guys!

[@infinitecowboy3218]

Um, you got some things wrong. 1. Don Kirshner had nothing to do with the TV show. He was not with the project from the very beginning, but came along around May of 1966 as the premiere date for the TV show was drawing closer. Musicians-songwriters-singers Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart had written the songs for the TV pilot, and they had provided the vocals. Producer Snuff Garrett had been brought in after the pilot but quit after he had decided to make Davy the band's lead singer, a decision which did not sit well with Mike, Peter and Micky. They likely complained to Rafelson and rather than fight, Garrett decided to just quit and settled with Screen Gems to end his involement. He said it was the most money he ever made for the small amount of time he was involved. Michael was given a chance to produce the band, a role he would continue to have as the recordings and series progressed. However, his first production efforts was just the four of them as the only musicians trying to make the music. As a band, they were novices. Rafelson stated some of the recordings were lousy while other songs gave him goosebumps as to their playing. Michael realized the four of them would not get it together in time for the series debut. 2. Enter Don Kirshner. Kirshner was hired by Rafelson and co-producer Bert Schneider to work on getting the music produced. He wanted to bring in his songwriters and musicians from New York. Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart reappeared, wanting to produce the music. They brought along Bobby Hart's band, the Candy Store Prophets and auditioned for Kirshner. They got the gig to produce the recordings with some help from songwriter Jack Keller. Michael was allowed to record and produce his songs. Kirshner meanwhile, had already decided he had total control of the music and was going to rock the boat by insisting the Monkees would not be allowed to play on their recordings. This was an affront to both Michael and Peter, as both had been promised by Rafelson and Schenider they could play on the recordings. Michael persuaded someone to allow Peter to play acoustic guitar on his songs. Don't think it was Kirshner as he was a bit thick about the Monkees not playing on their recordings. Nesmith also contributed as a musician, a fact which Kirshner may not have known. Tensions between Kirshner and the Monkees would continue to boil over as time went on. Kirshner's various producers preferred Micky and Davy as vocalists with Michael and Peter basically not considered. Even Peter's one lead vocal on Your Auntie Grizelda was done after Kirshner and his producers received some complaints from their upper superiors to involve Peter in some way. Jack Keller, who had cowritten YAG with Diane Hildebrand, had envisioned Micky or Davy or Micky and Davy singing YAG but not Peter. When Jack heard Peter on vocals, he was pleased with what he heard. All of the animosity that was lobbed at the Monkees happened because of Kirshner and his refusal to let them play on their recordings. During the filming of the TV show, they had been working out as a band, honing their skills and were finally good enough to play on record. But, it was a case of over Kirshner's dead body and it would be a cold day in hell when that happened. What Kirshner didn't know was the Monkees were becoming a united front with Micky and Davy joining with Michael and Peter to demandthey be allowed to make the music as well as sing it. Davy unfortunately, decided to hedge his bets and keep a foot in both camps. Kirshner coaxed Davy back into the studio to record some new songs. Rafelson and Schneider had informed Kirshner that going forward, the Monkees would play on the B-sides and also on the albums. And again, with Kirshner, it was a case of over his dead body and hell freezes over. His belief he had total control came to a head when he released a single in Canada which featured Davy on vocals on both sides, shutting out the Monkees's ability to pick the songs and play on them. That was a decision which would cost Kirshner as he was fired from the project. There were a few more reasons to his dismissal, some involving the Monkees, some not involving the Monkees. But, as Peter said, "Bam! He was gone, just like that!" Peter also hinted Rafelson and Schneider had their own reasons for getting rid of Kirshner. But, that was how the Monkees eventually were allowed to play on their own recordings. Looks like I need to do a part 2 as this one was a rather long and complex one.

[@royjudson4380]

Robert Michael Nesmith (December 30, 1942 - December 10, 2021) R.I.P

[@bachthe1st557]

RIP Michael Nesmith you’ll never be forgotten

[@m.j.johnston]

Picked up my phone while watching this video and saw Mike Nesmith has died. Strange coincidence...

[@theresareynolds3133]

I had a plastic Monkees lunch pail and I had a heart next to Peter Tork, I heard Mike Nesbit just past away leaving Mickey the sole survivor

[@edwardrossman9448]

This is a great summary of The Monkees.

[@cindyland6273]

INDUCT THE MONKEYS IN ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME!! MIKEY IS STILL ALIVE. 9/17/22

[@dflf]

Where are the "Untold truth of the TV show"? I've heard all of this 100 times

[@user-tk2lj7un5c]

I'm a die hard Monkees fan and they are bar none just love and adore these guys beautiful tribute that you had thanks

[@robfloyd7968]

Kirshner never expected (or accepted) that putting four talented people together would produce a real, good band. Or he never accepted that they were talented.

[@THE_bchat]

I think it's too easy to paint Kirshner as "the bad guy". He had a job to do, and let's be honest, he did it well as the first two albums hit #1. Did he respect the group as musicians? Probably not, but he was spending the company's money and he had to make sure he was turning a profit. He probably didn't want to gamble his job on the hope that four random musicians could make a top-selling album. We can look back now and see that the four of them working together on their own did work eventually, but that's still not proof that they could have been as successful from the start without Kirshner in control on the first two albums.

[@yourekittenme.]

@@THE_bchat yes but he didn’t even LISTEN to the Monkees & what they wanted to do. Maybe they physically couldn’t have done it due to time constraints but he could have at least listened (instead of summarily dismissing them).

[@christineparis5607]

Those tight, tight polyester pants...excruciatingly awful ...

[@lindas.5191]

christine paris Are you kidding??

[@joeygiannini7904]

Great job!!! It's amazing how the general public did not want to give the Monkees' any credit at all for the longest time, which was often just due to jealousy over the concept of tying in music and television together on a larger scale for the first time...Yes, Screen Gems should have listed the session players on their first album, although musicians Tork and Nesmith did get on there for a couple of original songs...Now that the "Wrecking Crew" documentary has been released, it is finally well-known how often LA studio players were involved in the hit-making process of many 'organic' pop/rock bands at the time, often due to the fact that it was less time-consuming...The group did make time to do a twelve-city tour as a garage band, two of which were filmed for the episode, "Monkees on Tour" (1/21 & 1/22 1967)...The sitcom had made references to their struggles for musical freedom, in addition to comments and images that reflected the 'Summer of Love'...There was even an anti-war themed episode, "Monkees Watch Their Feet," which featured bookend segments with dead-pan comedian Pat Paulsen, and several drug references popped-up in some of the later second season episodes, such as "The Frodis Caper," which featured a disguised talking marijuana plant (Micky's voice sped-up) from outer space!!!

[@TheMorphking989]

Rip Peter tork/Michael Nesmith/Davy Jones

[@2015Zoe]

P.I.P. Mike !! Dec 10, 2021 at 78 . A few weeks after this was made.

[@krisrhood2127]

RIP Mike Nesmith

[@davidreichert9392]

And only a few weeks after this video was posted we lost Mike Nesmith

[@salinagrrrl69]

MIKE NESMITH RIP

[@jnicksnewstart]

That's Frank Zappa at 4:12.

[@debrahubbard763]

They had an adult advisor:Mr. Snyder!

[@salinagrrrl69]

Peter Tork RIP

[@lionheartroar3104]

Props to the Monkees and all the great songwriters.

[@BuddyKatz]

Rip, Davy, Peter and Mike

[@tomb4575]

Pretty amazing that The Monkees only aired for two seasons and Batman only three.

[@THE_bchat]

Throw Star Trek in there, too. The ratings system back then was incredibly out of whack, and didn't account for age groups like they do now.

[@angrybaby3847]

2:35 that's gotta hurt

[@fredricclack7137]

at 1time, like 🐒 btr than 🐝 tlz!

[@MIKELIN8]

You should have mentioned that Davy Jones appeared on the episode of The Ed Sullivan show which was the first American TV appearance of The Beatles.

[@susanmccormick6022]

Well that's weird,loved The Marx Bros movies,loathed The Three Stooges & adored the four n only Monkees.

[@MarioBeatle120]

YES!! MORE MONKEES VIDEOS!!! BEST BAND!!!

[@I_Only_Harley]

I loved this show as a kid.

[@christaclemons1455]

RIP, Nesmith

[@dianeboehm5450]

Sadly there is only 1 Monkee left- Micky. They were great. Brings back good memories.

[@bofunny5919]

That was my first record‼️ still have it and the other monkees albums lol

[@pjesf]

From the very beginning I thought that show was innovative; I loved it

[@prycerobertson4695]

Irving Lippman was actually cinematographer (or director of photography) on several Three Stooges shorts and Monkees episodes.

[@impalaman9707]

The Monkees must have gotten the idea of breaking the fourth wall from Looney Tunes, because the Warner Brothers characters knew that they were cartoon characters as early as the early 40s! I mean, Bugs Bunny was talking to people in the audience and wanting to re-negotiate his contract with Mr. Warner!

[@muffassa6739]

I loved the Monkees it was on when I was babysitting every week . The kids and I could sing all the songs together. We had so much fun. They were so good together ❤ Hurray MONKEEs

[@emeraldkimble7602]

David bowies real name was David jones he changednzme so not to be confused with a mo kee😊p

[@johnnypk1963]

Michael Nesmith’s money came from his mother Bette, who invented liquid paper in the early 50s

[@yourekittenme.]

Not just that (although that was probably the majority). I believe he also received royalties from his songwriting.

[@michaelelder3945]

You didn't even mention Boyce and Hart who were main songwriters for the Monkees. Why not?

[@RustyViewer]

You didn't mention about their movie Head which I thought was great.

[@maureenoneill2847]

Peter York by renquist network patent Patton trays are wrong like torte culinary hospice's

[@bigdoubleu117]

After Jones and Tork, sad to report that just a week ago, Mike Nesmith has also passed away

[@ChessemillPerezChristopher]

I'm on a Monkees carousel and can't seem to get off it. Love this behind the scenes jault

[@bethsojourner6798]

I remember Micky Dolenz from Circus Boy.

[@katarinakrnjevic8183]

The Monkees had a many great songs , but there tv shows is very underrated and very funny.

[@marcgordon3239]

I'm A 2nd Generation Believer 🙈🙉🙊🐵

[@lynnehenderson4140]

Inspiration for Monty Python, maybe?