Guitarist BEGGED Band Not to RECORD "CRAP" Cover Song…Became #1 Hit of the Year!-Professor of Rock

Even though they were branded as the 2nd coming of the Beatles…today’s band wasn’t actually a band at all. The Monkees were the ultimate pretenders… actors assembled to play struggling musicians on TV. But you know what? The struggle was real. Unhappy with faking it, this manufactured band wanted to prove they could play. But their musical supervisor Don Kirshner wouldn’t let ‘em. Davey Jones, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith could sing and they could dance… but they were forbidden to play their own instruments. The tension then got so bad, that Michael Nesmith called their Future #1 hit song crap. I’m A Believer, written by Neil Diamond was the song….Pissing off their producer, Nesmith was actually banned from the studio while it was being recorded. And the conflict wouldn’t end there. He then called their second album “the worst in the history of the world.” It’s the crazy story of how four pretenders went head to head with one of the industry’s biggest hitmakers… But was there any way they could win? Find out … NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
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Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time if you you were ever on the losing end of begging your parents for sugar cereal like lucky charms or fruity pebbles you’ll dig the channel of deep musical nostalgia, make sure to subscribe below right now. We also have a Patreon you'll want to check out. There you’ll find an additional catalog of exclusive content and you can even become an honorary producer to help us curate this music history. Introducing…
“Here [they] come, walking down the street… [they] get the funniest looks from everyone [they] meet… And with those introductory lyrics, you already know who I’m talking about… it’s the Monkees! This fighting foursome may not have been hired to actually be a rock and roll band, but they rose above all accusations of being fakes and phonies to prove that they were. And I can’t think of a better song with which to tell their story than today’s featured track: I’m a Believer. So let’s jump into it.
The origin story of The Monkees begins in the summer of 1965, with an advertisement in New York’s Daily Variety for a new NBC television series. The ad read: “Madness! Auditions. Folk & Roll Musicians-Singers. For acting roles in new TV series. Running parts for 4 insane boys, age 17-21.” Inspired by the Beatles’ A Hard Days Night and fulling looking to capitalize on Beatle-mania, US TV producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider threw together auditions for a show about a struggling pop band. In all, 437 boys responded, including Stephen Stills and future Three Dog Night vocalist Danny Hutton. Neither made the cut. Rather, the final four was whittled down to guitarist-songwriter Michael Nesmith, bassist and folk musician Peter Tork, former child actor Mickey Dolenz, and British actor-singer Davy Jones.
Dubbed the “Pre-fab Four,” The Monkees were created not to be a band, but for pretend to be one on TV. Hired primarily for their acting skills, according to People magazine the four were expected to “clown on camera and sing catchy tunes written by some of the top professionals in the business.” Behind the scenes, they would be propped up by “the man with the golden ear”… Don Kirshner.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: Who is your favorite BEATLE, MONKEE and STONE?

[@Thin-n5u]

Paul. Mickey. Taylor.

[@TerrickTerran]

Each...Lessee Ringo, Michael, Mick

[@Lam_3-22-23]

George Peter Mick

[@Whisper_292]

Ringo, Mickey, and Keith.

[@catherine6653]

My favorite Beatle is Paul McCarteny. Not sure of the others because The Beatles are my favorite. Fun episode today 😊

[@AntoniaGavrihel-zm2ej]

Being a child of entertainers, I’ve met celebrities from the entire music, film,stage and TV and even sports industries. I say this to share my experience of meeting the Monkees as a 13 year old smitten girl. My mom was able to get me backstage to meet them. They were all quite welcoming and gracious but Davy Jones was by far the kindest, nicest man I’ve ever met. With such a huge crush on him, I could barely string two words together. My singer mother spoke on my behalf chuckling at my star-struck expression. And yet Davy Jones spent time with us. So amazingly kind. Thirty years later I happened to go to event in Alabama where Davy was signing copies of his newest album. Once again we chatted for quite a while and he said he remember that day. Again the most genuine person I’ve ever met. Still warms my little girl heart. Always appreciate their kindness.

[@giantgeoff]

And there are similar stories about all the other. Monkees as well. It's nice when our heroes turn out to be genuinely nice.

[@chrismcknight7164]

It's nice when stars reputations, as well as their music, stand the test of time

[@fletchbundy]

He struck me as the best one. Maybe the only one that signed up and then didn't try to blow it up when it worked acting like a victim for a job they took.

[@DONGOE]

Would like to know who your parents are or at least the one in the music business, you're willing to tell.

[@mikeoveli1028]

​@@fletchbundy ??? Why cynical? It is not needed on this thread.

[@patrickmckinley8739]

One of my favorite quotes about the band came from Mickey. On a documentary about the Monkees, he captured the feeling he had going in : "We had as much chance to be real rock stars as Leonard Nimoy had to be a real Vulcan."

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Haha, love that!

[@iowa61]

Micky’s a quick wit. But inadvertently reinforced the “not a real band” BS canard.

[@davegink9222]

@@iowa61 Except he actually said that, unlike Leonard Nimoy, they did become a real band.

[@chrisbenson6683]

​@@davegink9222and Nimoy became a singer 😂

[@1KGB]

"The Monkees are to the Beatles what Star Trek is to NASA. They are both totally valid in their own contexts." --Micky Dolenz

[@shielalatterell9947]

Right on Mick thanks for your work it's part of my life's sound track.

[@andrestrishak8292]

I guess the Beatles were fake too then if they are included here with these other frauds. :)

[@Superabound2]

I like Star Trek more than i like NASA

[@elainewaters5137]

You were my favorite

[@mustaffa1611]

star trek is more realistic than nasa

[@aspersion2287]

The Monkees should be in the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame! If Tupac, NWA and other artists from other genres can be inducted, The Monkees damn well should be! When you look at their popularity, not just in the 1960s, but also their resurgence in the 1980s and beyond… There is no reason to exclude them. The idea that they don’t deserve to be in there because they didn’t play their instruments is asinine considering most artists in the 1960s used “the wrecking crew”/session musicians too. We shouldn’t wait until Mickey Dolenz is dead to correct this.

[@sounddoctor5decades]

1000% correct!

[@robertkroberjr.157]

You just gave the perfect reason for them not to be there! RRHOF IS A JOKE! Long live The Monkees! 😎🍻

[@BaddAzzAmerican]

I totally agree Monkees were great and funny.

[@heroesgrantorino]

If Tupac is in the rock 'n roll hall of fame, music industries of the west have really lost all sense of direction and artistic understanding

[@robertkroberjr.157]

@@heroesgrantorino RRHOF is a joke! It has been for a long time. Same with Rolling Stone magazine.

[@RealSaintB]

The Monkees are the epitome of 'fake it until you make it'. Big respect for how hard they worked to become a real band.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Things sure have changed, we would never call a group today that was assembed by executives and just sing and dance to the music as "not real".

[@Fordham1969]

I really wouldn't characterize it as "fake it until you make it". The Monkees "made it" straight out of the gate for a variety of reasons. They were skilled, charismatic performers, but more importantly they were really fine pop singers straight away. I think Micky Dolenz was highly underrated as a singer. And if you give them great songs to sing and an excellent studio backing group, not to mention the exposure of a hit tv show, that's an excellent recipe for instant and in my opinion well deserved success.

[@lamper2]

When they became a "real" band......THE HITS STOPPED!

[@RealSaintB]

@@lamper2 Their greatest ever hit Daydream Believer came after

[@RealSaintB]

@@Fordham1969 They went from actors playing musicians to full blown musicians though, with total creative control of their own music where at first they were reading lyrics off of a script. They taught themselves to write melodies and lyrics and play instruments and compose entire songs from scratch and became the kind of musicians they thought they were going to be from the start.

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

Pretenders schmetenders. No-one looks down their noses at bands like the Supremes, who didn't play their instruments, didn't write their songs, and were groomed into shape by the Motown machine. How were the Monkees any different? They could sing, they could play, and their outpit included some of the most memorable songs from a decade where song standards were incredibly high. And many of those songs were written by Mike Nesmith. People should give them the credit they're due and stop calling them a "pretend band".

[@georgeorr1042]

Good point there.

[@videogemsproductions]

Very well said!!

[@axer3515]

The difference is that the groups you mentioned worked their way to the position they had, and the monkeys used the TV to skip the years of growing a fan base.

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

@@axer3515 As any musician knows, if you can get publicity to show off your skills, grab it. How many musicians in recent years have grown their fanbase through shows like "America's Got Talent" and the like? How many top musicians of the 1970s got their start on shows like "Opportunity Knocks" and "New Faces"?

[@brotherb5747]

If not for self loathing, trust fund baby, manic Mike - the Monkee's would surely be in the R&R HOF - certainly as deserving as Hammer.

[@nitapitts6407]

I'm 70 and have LOVED the Monkees since Day 1. My folks HATED them but I didn't care. I used to scrimp and save just to buy their albums. Now with streaming, all of their music is readily available. I also have a lot of Mickey's solo music. I was also privileged to go to 4 of their concerts from the mid 1980's to the early 2010's (with just three of them.) Their concerts were some of the most fun I'd ever had. A lot of their music has stood the test of time because it was and is good. Monkees FOREVER!!!

[@JoanieBowers]

Yes I went To Several Monkees concerts met out of 4 but I saw all 4 but not together 😢😢😢😢❤❤❤❤

[@ursafan40]

My parents liked the Monkees better than the the Beatles or the Stones. They were sure I was lost with my first Black Sabbath album.

[@peach495]

Did you collect their cards where if you had all of them the back of the card, like a puzzle, created a poster of the band?

[@hc21123]

​@JoanieBowers I have no idea what you just said.

[@hc21123]

​@@peach495I did, and I still have those cards. The complete set.

[@funorama11]

Michael Nesmith was a sweet soul. I have 2 letters written in 1961 by Mike to my grandmother Analee Huffaker who was his high school music teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas Texas. An excerpt from one of the letters was published in a July 1967 Tiger Beat magazine interview where Michael expresses that my grandmother taught him the joy of music. It’s about the most beautiful words you could ever hope to hear from a musician complimenting his music teacher. This quote should be on a plaque in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame because it would be the prettiest thing anyone could read in such a museum. Google up the article and read for yourself.

[@normanleach5427]

COMMENT OF THE MONTH

[@twinstickpete]

Thank You for sharing!!! ❤

[@cypher515]

There's something about him finishing a concert with "Different Drum" and then "With apologies to Linda, and a good night to you all". He _wrote_ the song and it felt like he was apologizing _if_ he didn't do justice to it.

[@curtflory7147]

Wow, that is so cool. And what a tribute to your grandmother! That says a lot about Michael. Thank you for sharing!

[@TheTrock121]

My wife was a huge fan of the Monkees. We went to the local mall to see Davey Jones when he was doing a promotion around 2001. He looked good and we were surprised when he passed a few years later. Their humor was contagious, and their music was great. RIP Davey.

[@davej.meister5421]

R.I.P. Davy, Michael and Peter. Only Micky is still standing in 2024.

[@Oneness100]

When I was around 8, I loved the Monkees, until my older brother set me straight. he told me that the albums had studio musicians and they didn't even write most of the songs. Go look up every album on Wikipedia and they list the musicians and song writers for every song. The Monkees only sang the songs, only a few of them actually were credited with song, or actually partial songwriting credit.

[@bradparker9664]

I saw Davy a year before he died, and put on a great show. Clearly in fine form. No sign of the problem that suddenly took him.

[@mikeoveli1028]

​@@Oneness100 I am the same age and it has never bothered me that they didn't write their own music. I certainly moved on but I still have a warm spot in my heart for so many of their songs.

[@AntoniaGavrihel-zm2ej]

Was the Galleria Mall in Hoover Alabama?

[@halfbeardsilvertongue5129]

I loved watching The Monkees! I think their songs were the first ones I could actually sing along with. I'm 66 now. I will always cherish watching their show and singing their songs. RIP Gentlemen, you and Micky Dolenz will never be forgotten. Thank you.

[@mediamannaman]

I'm the same age as you. I could sing all of their hit songs back then and even today I can still belt out most of the lyrics from memory. Formative years!

[@Poppaea-Sabina]

Good memories!

[@double2mo382]

Me too!

[@nbrown8464]

Never missed a show of theirs.

[@karencahill4798]

I loved watching the Monkeys. Loved their songs. I’m 68 now. Still love “I’m a believer.” It’s been a wonderful music journey all these many years. Mind blowing the amount of talent then.

[@ladywisewolf3942]

I grew up in Hollywood, Ca. and was in Junior High from '66-'68. The Monkees filmed their TV series one block from my school at Columbia Studios. A few of us girls figured this out and so every day after school we stalked out along the chain link fence separating the street from the back lot where the Monkee's studio office was located at the top of some old wooden stairs on the outside of one of the buildings. Every afternoon when they were through filming, all four would climb the stairs and so we would call out to them and they would turn around and wave. There were no security guards at that time and only a few of us girls were there, but as time past the word got out and the crowd got huge and loud, and the Monkees moved on. But for a brief time, it was just a couple of my friends and the Monkees every day after school.

[@PeoplePlacesRocknRoll]

Cool 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@PeoplePlacesRocknRoll]

There was a good album - cover was black and white with 3 heads. Came out about 1969. Had it. Don't remember name. Cool and different trax.

[@LauraBeeDannon]

What great memories!

[@aaronjaben7913]

fun memorees!

[@onecooldude1644]

Yes the songs from the Monkees bring back sooo many memories!

[@keithw846]

Fun Fact.. Michael Nesmith's mom Bette was a typist and got tired of having to retype entire pages because of one little Typo and had an idea which was using a flat white paint to correct mistakes and thus she invented Liquid Paper.

[@timberleynies4945]

True.

[@QueenRenne]

Yup! 💯😁

[@ktcarl]

That's where Michael got his money from before The Monkees.

[@RoarOfWolverine]

Yeah, and she became ridiculously rich from that invention. It’s amazing how simple the idea was, but she had a special paint formulated that had ten times the amount of pigment to make it cover in a single Regular paint she first used took several coats to be opaque enough to blank out the ink. She then got a patent on that formula which has most likely made billions over the years.

[@avonlady93]

Bette was my super hero. I was a secretary for decades and was so thankful for her creation! I was really good at my job but "White-out" was a miracle!

[@christinetarquin3773]

What I loved about the Monkeys, is that all their songs were singable to any teenager. By that, I mean the words were clear, & precise to hear over your transistor radio and if you could hear the lyrics, you could sing along with the radio which made it a joy to hear it and to sing along. One is happy when they know the words to a song. 🎵

[@Berniewahlbrinck]

It's actually Monkees.

[@christineml1476]

The Monkees are a gem! They had a fun TV show, they could sing, they were cute - how could you not love 'em?

[@kellidinit3725]

My sister and I used to do the Monkee walk ALL THE TIME. 😂😂

[@s.peters2140]

@@kellidinit3725 My sister and I did, too.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

People say we monkey around! Love them.

[@66impala71]

I saw them 1-1-1967 and at 13 thought I had died and gone to heaven. Loved Davy!

[@luv2fly745]

Thanks Professor! Your informative video about the Monkees let me know something I didn't realize.. their first album was released on my 11th birthday! I LOVED their show and music and it was a wonderful part of my childhood. My dad even enjoyed it and we watched the show together. He was a very young 40 year old when the series debuted.

[@beckyfearereck]

I’ve been a Monkees fan for about 43 years, I’ve even met 3 of the 4 guys in a restaurant in Chicago when they were here for the 20th anniversary. Guys, great music!

[@goodwilj]

Our commercial photo lab developed and printed their photos when they came to St. Louis that year.

[@paradisericheys]

You dropped the ball when you mentioned their album Justus. It was the pinnacle of their career. It was an album written, arranged, produced and performed solely by the Monkees. Literally “Just Us”. They proved once and for all that they could do it all. It was a proud accomplishment for the band.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

My favorite bit of Monkee's trivia: The producers of the TV show decided to have Micky Dolenz be the drummer of the Monkees, but he was the only one of the four that couldn't play the drums (though Micky learned to play the drums soon afterwards, but in early episodes, it was Peter Tork who gave Micky direction on how to convincingly fake it).

[@ghostownaproach]

I always thought it was funny how the hi-hat was out in front Center and I've never seen anyone else do that

[@winamortenson9125]

@@ghostownaproach Micky's drum configuration is unique, because he has one weak leg. He had to use the other leg for all pedal work, and they rearranged the drums to make that work.

[@CaptHayfever]

@@winamortenson9125: It was also partly because his instructor was left-handed.

[@CaptHayfever]

They didn't want to hide Davy's teen-idol face behind the drumkit since he was the shortest, Peter played basically everything BUT drums, & Mike adamantly refused to be the drummer. That just left Micky.

[@winamortenson9125]

@@CaptHayfever Peter could show Micky a couple of things, but wasn't actually a drummer, yeah. The Monkees like to tell the story that the producers asked who wanted to be the drummer and everyone took a step back except Micky. 😆 I assume that's figurative.

[@danielomalley9138]

As a hard rocker at heart, I do have my musical guilty pleasures. They include the Carpenters, Neil Diamond, Beach Boys and...the Monkees. Please don't tell any of my rocker friends!

[@stephenbrown4211]

That’s ok. Mine are Herb Alpert, Louis Armstrong, The Monkees and the Beach Boys

[@ktpinnacle]

Earliest Neil Diamond is the best Neil Diamond.

[@atgdcommish608]

No need to feel guilty about appreciating the Beach Boys, the Beatles loved their stuff. And Karen Carpenter had the voice of an angel.

[@danielomalley9138]

​@@GreyBuffalo😲😉

[@Sherwoody]

Just because I liked Led Zeppelin, Metallica, GNR, Floyd, doesn’t mean I can’t be a fan of Sergio Mendez, Diane Warren, etc. p.s. (Don’t tell anyone, but I was even a Manilow fan)

[@RobertDWF]

in the 1990s I used to hang out in a little bar in Studio City called Residuals. On Saturday nights this little "conversation bar" would have a band in. This particular night it was an all-girl blues band. Sheila E sat in for a few songs with them, then the band took a break and some dude with an acoustic guitar got up to do a few songs. It was Peter Tork. No fan fair, no splash, no ego - just some really good songs. I wish I could remember what he played. I do remember he was really good. Fun night for a guy who watched their show in first run back in the day.

[@ericdickerson7656]

Nesmith was a gifted songwriter who wrote Linda Ronstadt's first hit, "Different Drum."

[@markr.1984]

It was with the Stone Ponies. Before Ronstadt went solo.

[@warrenmilford6848]

A lot of his solo stuff, post Monkees, was brilliant. Really underrated I reckon.

[@kingofallwhites]

Big deal

[@lnielse1]

Songwriter? Yes. Gifted? Meh

[@indy_go_blue6048]

My favorite Nesmith song is "[Think I'll Fly Down to] Rio." He was one of the first entertains to realize the value of the then awakening video market.

[@jamesgorski7551]

Fun fact Mike wrote "Different drum," for The Stone Ponies featuring Linda Rondstat.

[@jimkerrigan1888]

And Mikes mom invented (white out) great for tying errors and left mike sone of the cha ching millions green backs when she died in 1986 mike was richest monkey because of white out invention by mike mom

[@RickMason-yj7pv]

Co-wrote

[@jamesgorski7551]

@@RickMason-yj7pv Thank you for that fact. I do appreciate that.

[@adamcarrey9115]

@@James-zh4eoThe melody was improved quite a bit when Linda Ronstadt recorded it. But, yes, Nesmith is credited as the only writer of the song.

[@theyrekrnations8990]

never knew that . she completely owned it though

[@amputeeright]

I always preferred Mickey's singing. "Last Train to Clarksville" is a favorite.

[@christheother9088]

Always liked it. Plus we lived very close to a "Clarksville" in upstate NY.

[@Raggmopp-xl7yf]

Yeah - he voice was so smooth. I can't believe he's the only one left.

[@spiralscratch7823]

My favourite vocal is She.

[@Raggmopp-xl7yf]

@@spiralscratch7823 Pleasant Valley Sunday.

[@joeysplats3209]

Excellent work.

[@mitchellhawkes22]

What a great thing that Nesmith went into a snit and was kicked out of the studio. The iconic voice and style of Mickey Dolenz was featured on "I'm a Believer." One of the memorable vocalists of the 60s was born.

[@seereadnhear]

I don't care what anybody says they should have been already in the Rock and Roll Hall Of fame. There's one left give them that honor.

[@MexicoDigDoctor]

I cannot express deeply enough how much I agree with you. I think it is one of the most rotten injustices in music history that hey are not in there, and that they are not all still alive to see it. But you are right, Mickey is still here to accept the honor on their behalf. I hope I see it in my lifetime, which will mean that somebody finally came to their senses!

[@LarryGonzalez00]

I totally agree with you, but I think at this point the Hall needs the Monkees more than the Monkees need the Hall.

[@seereadnhear]

@@LarryGonzalez00 Truth 💯‼️❤️‍🔥

[@seereadnhear]

@@MexicoDigDoctor I hope so too in 2019 my mother-in-law was stricken with the soft cancer and was going through a rigorous stage of chemo and radiation treatments. And we got the news that Peter Tork had died, we didn't dare tell her until almost 6 months after she was cleared. Cuz she was such a major fan.

[@avlisk]

Their story is certainly one that's unique and needs to be in the RNRHOF if you want to tell the complete history of RNR in the twentieth century.

[@roberthutchins4584]

My sister and I were fighting over our Monkee album and it fell to the floor perfectly on edge breaking a chunk out exactly to the end ot the theme song track. We still played that damaged album for years... and told the story for... well... to even today.

[@goldilox369]

Nothing as dramatic, but my brother and I used to fight over the "best of" Monkees cassette tape to listen to before bedtime in the early 80s. It was my Mom's tape, but wow... We both loved it so much. 😂

[@biglongcadillac]

​@@goldilox369such a sweet story

[@robertvance1873]

I'm glad Neil Diamond was mentioned because he contributed 4 songs to the Monkees, and if anyone wants to really hear Neil from the Early Years I highly recommend an album Called The Bang Years it's Neil at his BEST.

[@lionheartroar3104]

Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow is my fave from ND.

[@kaymuldoon3575]

@@lionheartroar3104the Monkees’ cover of that song is my absolute favorite.

[@jamesholland8057]

Yes he did. Great writer and singer.

[@aldecursoe7173]

I love the Velvet Gloves and Spit album

[@minermike61]

Neil Diamond had a talent that I can't compare to anyone else. He was almost his own genre.

[@darrelnorris3985]

I got to see Mickey back in the 90's and had my picture taken with him. My daughter is now also a fan and Mickey was playing in Niagara Falls. I got us tickets and we went down to see him. At the meet and greet afterwards, I showed him the photo. He remembered that concert! He said, " oh, the Rocking Back to the 60's" concert! Then he signed my photo! We had the best time!

[@merriemisfit8406]

I never met a Monkee. My best friend was born a few years before me, and saw The Monkees during their 1970s Saturday rerun phase -- and Micky was her fave. I knew their music, but did not see the show until the 1980s. When I won a pair of tickets to the All Four Monkees show at the Universal Amphitheatre on the ninth of July in 1989, of course I took my best friend. There were rumors that some of the Monkees were going to stop by and say hi to us contest winners, but that didn't happen. I guess we can't all be Marcia Brady. 2010 rolled around, and we best friends were by then separated by a couple thousand miles. The Happy Together Tour, with Micky Dolenz in the lineup, was going to be close enough for me to get to at least one show, so I put together a bunch of odds and ends I might be able to get signed if there was a meet-and-greet. But I felt guilty that I would get to meet Micky and my best friend would not. Righteous fate stepped in. Before the show I was chatting by the souvenir table with the wife of one of the performers, and she told me there would unfortunately be no meet-and-greet after that particular show. She asked, though, if there was anything I brought to get signed, so I pulled out a few of the items and purchased a Micky picture for my best friend. That angel of a rock-n-roll wife took my things and set them in a safe place, and said to meet her back there during a break in the show. And that's how I got a Monkees album autographed by Micky Dolenz, AND delighted my best friend with an autographed Micky photo, without ever even meeting him. Me meet one of the Monkees? Not without my best friend!!!

[@kennethpayne7943]

I loved the Monkees as a kid, but as I grew older I came to see them as fake. Then one day not too long ago, I came across the famous poster of The Monkees, with opening act The Jimi Hendrix Experience. I showed it to a friend of mine, a professional musician, and laughed about the accompanying story, namely that Micky Dolenz heard Hendrix in some underground NYC club as a 17-year-old and decided to give him a shot. I expressed how funny it was that Dolenz was enough of a musician to recognize Hendrix's talent. My friend looked at me in disbelief -- "You know," he said, "No one could achieve the commercial success of the Monkees without an incredible amount of talent." Your video is a great reminder of what tremendous musicians these kids were.

[@debbylou5729]

Your friend isn’t that good. They were amazing….for what they were. Look at that era and tell me about all of ‘the talent’

[@RichardHansbury]

Hendrix was amazing. But remember that in those times a guy like him playing "negro music" would be ignored by most talent scouts if he ever was seen at all. 😢

[@debbylou5729]

@@RichardHansbury so you weren’t there. Woke visions of superiority reign supreme. Except for the southern most areas racism was far less than the mess Obama orchestrated. It’s obnoxious to listen to. And even more obnoxious that you believe it. Obama’s job in Chicago was to create ‘problems’ and then organize protests as a response. I actually saw Hendrix and believe me…..there weren’t that many blacks showing up. The guy that took me worked at a gas station so it wasn’t a matter of being ‘poor and downtrodden’. Better get busy rewriting your version of history

[@RHR-221b]

@@RichardHansbury Point taken, R, but Chas Chandler was about to nurture and unleash Jimi. The rest is history. All the best. Rab 🍻😎 🕊 ☠

[@wilburross9709]

I thought the story was that they 'discovered' him in a club in England while on their first European tour. Hendrix's manager had taken him to England where he thought he would have a better chance of breaking into the business. He had a hit with 'Hey Joe' over there and was playing in a club when the Monkees heard him. Like any guitarists at the time, they were blown away and decided they had to get this guy back to the States, where they were sure he was going to be big. They even arranged for him to be their opening act, to get him some exposure. I think it was an interview with Mickey himself that I heard this story because I remember him laughing and saying how embarrassed he was and how bad he felt for Jimi, because he was out there playing all of those fantastic lics and the teeny-bopper girls were chanting 'WE WANT DAVEY!" and 'WE WANT MICKEY!' the whole time. But, yeah, Jimi Hendrix opened up for The Monkees!

[@arthurcrime]

I met Davy Jones on a train to derby in the UK. I was with a chap that had been the road manager of the who. We chatted for close to an hour. Lovely guy.

[@trollking99]

You sure it wasn't the train to Clarksville?

[@WeatherWeasel66]

@@trollking99 no, that one had already left, and I'm pretty sure it was the last train to Clarksville...

[@SWalkerTTU]

@@WeatherWeasel66 Seeing as there haven’t been any trains to Clarksville for decades, you’re probably right.

[@doctorquestian]

@@SWalkerTTU do you remember that one episode on the Brady Bunch where Marsha got to go on a date with Davy Jones? And then she got pregnant, but the parents thought it was Gregg's? And the dad was really bummed because he thought the co-Ed bathroom upstairs was such a great idea? Remember how all the other kids were afraid to bring anyone over to the house because of all of the wood paneling they had on their walls? And how they were embarrassed about their avocado and orange color scheme in the kitchen? And have all the kids begged mom and dad please please please can we get a TV?

[@kathymcfarland5516]

Back in 1968, there was a presidential political rally concert held in Berkeley, California which featured a Buffalo, a Bird and a Monkee; featuring Stephen Sills, David Crosby and Peter Tork. It was wonderful! I got to meet Peter back stage and got his autograph. Somehow, despite not having a TV, I knew his intellect was much different than his TV show persona, and as a starry-eyed high schooler, I thought he would eventually do great things. Well, not so much. His talent with the guitar was far more than I expected; singing, well, not so much. When he died a couple of years ago, I felt like a part of my childhood had also left me. RIP, Peter. Thank you for spotlighting the background and history of some of the greatest music of my life.

[@nicholaskruger9460]

Locket Charms was the one my mom said never could we have because it had the most poisons in it. It’s banned in many country’s cause of how artificial and cancer causing

[@henrykujawa4427]

I got to meet Peter Tork at one of his "Shoe Suede Blues" bar shows. 75% of the audience were only there to get him to sign their Monkees memorabilia, then left at the halfway point of the night. Instead, I gave him a copy of one of my custom "bar bands" tapes, a compilation of many of my favorite bar bands. He seemed confused about this (heh). I stayed for the full show. Sadly, even in his own band, the OTHER lead singer had a way-better voice than Tork did. Oh well!

[@lauraspencer9855]

Peter Tork is a Carleton College icon. You are correct about his intellect. That school has a really low acceptance rate and a very high graduation rate. Too bad Peter Tork did not stay to graduate.

[@SueP-D]

Girl, we are getting old. And I for one don’t approve of it!!! All of our favorites have passed away or are REALLY old now 🥺

[@richardvinsen2385]

@@nicholaskruger9460Huh?

[@cheerio3847]

I remember being a kid in the 1960s and 1970s. Summer, dad doing something in the garage with tools at his work bench and my siblings and I running thru the sprinkler while the Monkeys played from Dads speakers, my brother pretending to play the drums. The whole family liked the music and we would watch the show with us kids bouncing around the living room during the music sections - attempting to dance but just making our parents laugh themselves sick.

[@susanmaxwell7623]

I was born in 1959. My first intro to rock and roll was on Feb 9th, 1964, when my family appointed me the tuner. I held the "rabbit ears" antenna above the tv to tune it perfectly so everyone, especially my screaming older sister, could see the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. I saved my allowance for my first album, in 3rd grade- I'm a Believer! I still know all the words to all the songs on the album. Thank you for the memories, Susan from St. Thomas, VI

[@goodwilj]

Same here Sept 19, 1959. The first Rock song I ever heard was "8 Days a Week" by the Beatles when I was 4 years old.

[@markdavids2511]

You held those rabbit ears well, did many US families have a rabbit tuner?. 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@escaped1534]

​@@markdavids2511 Yes! I too was born in '59 and held the TV ears many a time for better reception! Crazy, huh?!

[@CycleGirl-77]

Another girl from 1959! I'll never forget the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. I was obsessed with "All My Loving" Then later, I watched The Monkees every week!

[@Vishiaeq]

As a child of the 80's, I jumped on the Monkees bandwagon during their 80's revival. My mom was kind of shocked that I would get so into something that SHE loved and grew up with in the 60's. So it was music and a show that we shared. I still love the Monkees music and have almost all the albums. Had them on cassette back in the day. Getting the vinyl records now. Have the shows on DVD and can still recite all the lyrics to almost every song. Seeing Davy, Peter and Mike pass away probably hit me harder than any other celebrity deaths. I did go to Beavertown PA (about 2 hours from me) when they had a day there to memoralize Davy. Met his daughters, talked to Annabel and got their autographs. That was such an amazing day for me. Never had the chance to see them all in concert, but I did get to see Davy Solo in Altoona Pa at an "oldies" concert with Little Anthony, Dion, and Peter Noone.

[@juliachildress2943]

My son, also an 80s kid, loved the Monkees. I can still see him at about 3, rocking on his rocking horse, the microphone to his cassette player in his hand, belting out I'm a Believer. 😊

[@Vishiaeq]

@@juliachildress2943 Awww!!! That would have been so cute! Amazing how music can bridge the generational gap :)

[@HowieDooin]

In 1987 I had the unprecedented opportunity to stand guard outside Michael Nesmith's hotel room in Los Angeles as he waited for Micky, Davy, and Peter to arrive. Then a whole entourage of us accompanied the 4 of them on the express elevator to their press conference downstairs. It was so surreal to be riding the elevator and escorting all 4 Monkees to their press conference where a crowd of fans erupted into frenzied screams and cheers. Afterwards I went behind the scenes with them to see Henry Diltz take one of his famous photos of them. What an experience, what a cool memory.

[@kato64]

‘87 or ‘67?

[@HowieDooin]

It was the '80's. In fact I believe it was more like '89. There was a news conference at a hotel. Right after that they were presented with their Hollywood Walk of Fame star. I'm better at remembering the experience than the date 😉.

[@vermontmike9800]

Back in the mid 90s I had sent an email to Mike Nesmith’s Video Ranch address inquiring about the specific guitars he used on the show. I expected one of this employees to respond but the man himself did. That was cool to say the least. He simply signed “Nez”. 👍

[@cjmarshall0221]

Back in 1986, MTV also re-ran episodes of the Monkees, helping to revive their popularity. I was working as a child photographer, and one of my subjects - a boy of about 9 years old - said to me "Oh, do you know the Monkees? I love the Monkees!" I looked at him, smiled, and said "Yes, Son, I know the Monkees. I wasn't much older than you when I knew the Monkees." This brought a big smile from his mother who was standing next to us. It really made my day.

[@Rev7is]

That's when I got into them 😊

[@--harry_]

I came here to say that I swear I watched them on MTV and not Nick.

[@futuristica1710]

Child photographer …

[@acousticpsychosis]

Those reruns were a big part of my childhood summers. Monkees forever!

[@merriemisfit8406]

KTLA Channel 5 in Los Angeles was also rerunning The Monkees then. That was my first opportunity to see their shows. I knew their music very well, but had never seen their television shows. Well, nothing like making up for lost time! I watched them on 5 on Sunday afternoons, and on weekday mornings too. Weekdays AND Sunday In the same week? That I do not remember. But I DO remember making a private vow that I would not go to a show that only had two or three Monkees performing together. It had to be all four. Did that seemingly impossible dream ever come true, children? Oh yes, it did. 🐒🐒🐒🐒🤗

[@Whisper_292]

I was a Monkees fan when i was little, and I was _thrilled_ by their 80s comeback. RIP, Jones, Tork, and Nesmith. 💜

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Yes that comeback was rad!

[@mwdollar]

You know that the two "musicians" Mike and Peter would find it tough to fake it. The other two were professional actors already and that was their life. That Mike and Peter learned to act so quickly is astonishing. Mickey is an underrated singer in my opinion. That he learned to play the drums as he sang is impressive. As a former drum teacher (I now teach digital audio production) that is just amazing to me. Their situation is not much different than much of Nashville today. Session musicians and other people writing the songs. But I get that they wanted to be like the Beatles and Stones. The Monkees are legendary and I AM a believer.

[@kevintaylor-fj3ox]

I am from Nashville. You hit the nail on the head with your assessment!!!

[@markdavids2511]

I’m a U.K. believer. Everyone I know loves their songs.

[@ellsworth1956]

The sad part is all that mess could have been avoided with a simple compromise like "You guys get 3 songs on the album and let us see how they do."

[@Edward-pp8jc]

THE big rumor was that CHARLES MANSON tried out for The Monkees! Supposedly it was just a gag by Mickey Dolenz, who said in an interview that Manson had tried out. It was a joke that was plausible because Manson was a struggling musician who had auditioned for record companies and had been a friend of Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys. I believe he even wrote a song for The Beach Boys. Just imagine if the Pre-fab four had been Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones... and Charlie Manson! "Sorry Peter Tork, but we picked Charlie because he threatened to kill us if we didn't!" 😂

[@mwdollar]

@@ellsworth1956 Ego

[@stischer47]

My brother went to school with Michael Nesmith. They would practice playing guitars in my parent's garage.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Where was this?

[@sondra4789]

@@musiclistsareus1029using reading comprehension I’m gonna’ go out on a limb and say “they” refers to Michael and this person’s brother 🙄

[@stevecordingley6422]

@@musiclistsareus1029well the post says his brother and Mike Nesmith, so I guess that’s who “they” are!

[@Frankie5Angels150]

@@musiclistsareus1029 The voices in his head that made up the story.

[@AlexGarcia-ur9dy]

@@Frankie5Angels150 Of course it's made up. Michael Nesmith never talked to anyone, and never had friends or relatives. Ordinary people would NEVER have known him before he became famous. My parents helped raise an eventual NFL star, but since that's impossible I guess I won't mention the name. 🙄

[@nancilane5069]

I loved Michael Nesmith's solo hit Joanne (which he wrote). He also wrote the Linda Ronstadt Mega-hit Different Drum. I had very little understanding of The Monkees. Thanks for a great video!

[@fific9571]

I met Davy Jones and Peter Tork when they appeared on a kids' show I worked on back in the 80s. They signed my original release album too, I was stoked. I love their music to this day.

[@mattpovah5952]

Great episode. Pure nostalgia. For many of us the sound of the Monkees is a big part of our childhood.

[@ramsey6681]

As a teenager I was lucky enough to get to see The Monkees on a reunion tour in the 80s. And believe me - they could *_really_* play live!

[@The_Truth_Phoenix]

FJB!!!!

[@DDKaraokeOutlaw]

I saw them as well. The Monkees 20th Anniversary Tour w/The Grass Roots, Herman's Hermits, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap at Newport Music Hall, Columbus, OH. 6/86.

[@ramsey6681]

@@DDKaraokeOutlaw That's a cool lineup! It must have been the same tour because the timeline is right, but I saw them in the UK and there were no other acts on the bill. However, having fallen in love with the first album as a child (thanks to my Mother, who was around the same age buying it as I was when I saw them!) that was just fine with me!

[@DDKaraokeOutlaw]

@@ramsey6681 Thanks for sharing.

[@philatwood2086]

Believe it or don't... as a High School Freshman in '67, we moved from Kansas, where the Monkees TV show was airing, to El Paso, where it wasn't. My classmates liked the songs, but didn't even know about the TV show. So, I put together a petition, got 50+ students to sign, asking for the show to air and sent it to KTSM-TV, the NBC affiliate. They did send a reply thanking me for my interest. I don't know if my petition had a direct effect, but the station did air the final season of the show. So, there's that. Anyway, thanks for the interesting details to a nostalgic bit of personal history. - "Nevermind the Furthermore, the Plea is Self-Defense."

[@gieb6428]

A do'er

[@scoy1978]

There's nothing that I don't love about this band. They were a decade before me but I've loved them since I was a little girl. From Mickey's rock voice, Davey's sweet voice, to Peter's quirky Auntie Grizelda. Great music, great TV show. Glad that they got to make their own music, but those early records were lightning and wouldn't have worked without their talent and charisma. Love seeing the Monkees celebrated!!

[@ugtawna]

I love this. I remember walking into my high school one morning in 1966, when over the loud speaker, "I'm a believer," was dedicated to me by my crush. It was one of the happiest memories of my life.

[@clairwaucaush7225]

They actually only needed THREE auditions. Mickey never auditioned. He was already picked. You should interview Mickey Dolenez. It would be a MUCH better interview than the usual trite questions he gets on daytime tv shows!

[@TreantmonksTemple]

It was actually Davy Jones who never auditioned. He was under contract already with Screen Gems to appear in TV programs (at least according to Wikipedia)

[@marklane61]

Dont believe wiki.

[@smurphftw2008]

They all technically auditioned. Their audition videos are available to watch on KZbin. But I've always heard it was Davey who was the shoe in to be cast, not Mickey. The only 1 of the 4 that actually saw the newspaper ad in the classifieds was Mike. The other 3 new about the auditions from their respective agents.

[@smurphftw2008]

​@marklane61 Well wiki happens to be right in this case. It was Davey who was already in, not Mickey.

[@elizabethp2395]

Would LOVE a Mikey Dolenz interview, Professor!

[@persiablu]

I was one of those 80’s kids that was introduced to “The Monkees” tv show on Nick at Night and was instantly hooked! AND I realized I knew a lot of their songs before seeing the tv show. I LOVE The Monkees!!!! And their music will live in my home because I introduced my daughter them and she loves them too! Thank you for honoring their story!❤

[@Revengance6]

I remember a span of time in my life in the 70s when I didn’t get to hear much of the monkees music. Then when I was about ten or eleven a friend of mine threw on more of the monkees and she came on. I was transported, as a kid, completely enchanted. I made him play it four times and I sat there filled with emotions, actually breaking down the song in my head. After that I looked for their records for myself. She and The kind of girl I could love have been two of my favorite all time songs. I love your channel. You bring back so many good vibes for so many people in a very difficult time. Keep up the amazing work.

[@lynbattersby]

Thank you for featuring the Monkees. I had an awful day at school (I'm a teacher) and this put a smile on my face.

[@tommcfadden5232]

Hang in there. 😊

[@DMANROCK1]

I was at Disney world with my wife I believe Epcot and just happened to be in an area that turned out Davy Jones was about to be performing. We didn’t know he was scheduled to be there, it was a nice surprise. We had a great time and is one of the more memorable events from that trip.

[@martinjaramillo2429]

That’s great. My wife and I happened upon John Waite at Epcot and she’s so darn sweet she was ok with us getting back in line for the next show (3 total 😂) I’ll never forget it or regret it.

[@philclum1705]

When I was a kid in the 60’s I watched the Monkees every Saturday morning. It was easily my favorite show. I loved every song they released. I still think they’re awesome and listen to their music.

[@Ms70swildchild]

I'm a first generation fan. My mom would buy me each album as it came out. I met Micky at his house in '75 when he was preparing to move to England. I saw Dolenz, Jones, Boyce, and Hart perform at Magic Mountain also in the '70s. In 1986 I saw all of them when Mike joined MIcky, Peter, and Davy in L.A. The new Monkeemania was thanks to MTV airing the tv show for a whole new generation. I'm a Believer is very special for me. It's my song for my daughter. She also became a Monkees fan with Mike being her favorite.

[@rogerdeahl9629]

❤ The Monkees. Watched their TV show as a kid. A manufactured band...... but they were fun! Tying together with the Don Kirshner theme, he also was the man who signed Kansas to a record deal. Today is the lead singer of Kansas, Ronnie Platts birthday. 🎉 Thanks Professor. Great shirt, and have a great weekend!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen! Roger love it!

[@Sherwoody]

One of the biggest shows in the 70’s (at least for me and my friends) was Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert. Young fans (like myself) who didn’t have the chance to see a lot of these bands got to hear them live every Friday night. It might make for a good subject.

[@c.r.parish5908]

@@Sherwoody The highlight of my week was watching Rock Concert, Midnight Special, and Soul Train.

[@Sherwoody]

@@c.r.parish5908 these shows were great for a lot of broke college kids. I was lucky I still got to see a few bands live in my college days. Rush and BTO actually played a local high school. (I snuck into the BTO concert.)

[@jeromethiel4323]

Lots of manufactured bands, especially today.

[@shellyhm2477]

Thanks for featuring The Monkee’s Professor! I have been a life long fan. I’ve had their music on vinyl , 8 tracks, cassettes, cds, iPod and iTunes 😂😂😂 I watched their show as a kid in the 60’s and have loved them ever since. ❤

[@CabinFever52]

Me? I don't do the latter listed methods, but I did have their albums and made them last until my turntable died about 10 years ago. Thank goodness for youtube since the end of Napster.

[@nicole-uo9cd]

7:55 "I'm a songwriter...and that's no hit"- Mike Nesmith. Damn, it must've hurt Mike that the song was so popular. He probably concluded that everyone who liked it had awful taste in music, lol! The fact that they were finally allowed to produce authentic music that has stood the test of time is proof that they were truly talented. RIP Mike, Davy and Peter🙏💙 Rock on Mickey! You're a living legend. And thanks for the music, all of you!!!

[@comicus6769]

I have to agree with Mike, I hated that song when it came out and it was just played to death on the radio. I tried listening again to it a few years ago and I still hate it.

[@hoborock007]

??? Which one

[@gwencrawford737]

Mike was young and his judgement was clouded by being pissed with Kirshiner. He was wrong and that's fine... that's human. Even the so-called 'experts' can't tell whether a song is really going to go, or not. The public likes what they like, and only the public can really drive the song up the charts. I'll bet every one of us has heard a song that we thought, "That sucks..." and then turned around in a couple of weeks and were stunned to find out the song was climbing the charts. It just happens. :) Mike was right to throw a fit, whether his 'statement' about "I'm a Believer" was correct or not. Kirshiner was pulling a huge con, and using the boys to do it.

[@Datanditto]

I was born ‘66, my older brother and I grew up on the Monkees.. Funny, for some strange reason I was thinking about Davey the other day and was thinking of how kind he was. I remembered his smiling face in the Brady Bunch and thought that he must have surely thought ‘Marsha’ was HOT- for real! My studio buddy Roger told me about a time back in the 70’s when his band backed Davey on a few dates through the Carolinas. Davey had dinner at his home with his mom dad sister and brother. He said Davey was an awesome person.

[@AirtimeAerial]

Have heard this as well, Davey being an actual awesome human being 💯💖

[@creativequeen8371]

Thanks for sharing this story. It is always talked about how grounded and unstarry he was. I like that he came from here, in the UK, having had much success on stage, and had so much success in the US and worldwide. A multi-talented guy.

[@erinriwen]

I was lucky enough to get to know Davy because my friend’s husband played in his band. One of the sweetest guys I’ve ever known.

[@lynbattersby]

When I was a teen, Davy Jones and Day Dream Believer were my faves. Now I'm all about Mickey Dolenz and Randy Scouse Git. It's on constant rotation in my house. Even my 19 year old belts out: "Why don't you be like me? Why don't you stop and see? Why don't you hate who I hate Kill who I kill to be free?" at the top of his lungs. Such a banger.

[@Edward-bd8iy]

What did you think of Anne Murray's cover of that song?

[@AussieKim42]

I was born in November 1968 (in Australia) & grew up both listening to my parents’ Monkees albums & watching the Monkees’ tv series. My parents & younger sister & I happened to be on holiday on the Gold Coast in September 1987 (we went there most years during school holidays) when the Monkees (minus Mike Nesmith) were performing at the Twin Towns Social Club in Tweed Heads, so we randomly finally got to see them live. It was great, so much fun. ❤️

[@DRATproductions1]

I was only 8 years old when they came to TV... I loved the TV show it was fun and campy! My sister was a fan and then after the show went off the air, she gave me the 2 albums. I guess it was timing because I was hit... hit hard and have been a fan since then! In my teens I went off in search for albums that was them. I can't explain it, but all I knew is that they made me feel good when I heard their songs. I never favored just one, because all were GREAT! As with most when Davy passed it hit me hard, then Peter and Mike... I felt I was loosing family. I was able to see all but Davy live, and have to say it was AWESOME! In my eyes they are a "band" and I never tire of listening to their music! To me they are my #1 go to band, and I have NEVER changed my mind or will! Thank you Monkees for enriching my life...

[@edwardthorne9875]

I was about 13. Having such a wholesome and silly program just cheered my heart. They really did affect my life, watching them grow, helped develop my sense of humor, and then into moogs and psychodelia. I even saw them in 96, without Mike. Guess what -- the music still sounds fresh 50 years later! What an amazing tale.

[@cojaxart8986]

I never considered myself to be a 1966 teeny bopper, but I guess I was! I loved the Monkees! Now I’m in my 70’s and I loved the thought of being that young again to hear my boys!

[@steve_bal4]

Kudos on getting The Monkees story right! I've read and heard so many convoluted variations from the media over the 40 years that I've been listening to the band. They deserve so much more love & respect as artists, and it's wonderful to see someone appreciate & express that like you have with this video. ❤

[@ofrabjousday1]

Wowee! No mention of "Good Times," their 50th anniversary LP from 2016? That was by far and away, their best offering since Pisces. They decided to go back to their original formula, and hire the best modern-day songwriters for that album. Some of the contributers were Rivers Cuome (Weezer), Andy Partridge (XTC, whom you should check into!) Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller. Believe it or not, Peter sounds great on lead vocals on "Wasn't Born to Follow," and Mike does a haunted, beautiful and sad version of "Me and Magdalena," written by Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie. But the standout track and incredible fun/creative/nostalgic video is "You Bring the Summer," with Micky on vocals. They also did a Beatles treatment of an unreleased Davy-vocal song called "Love to Love," written by Neil Diamond, where the other three finished the track, like The Beatles did for Lennon's "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love." (And most recently, "Now and Then.") If you're a Monkees fan, go have a listen!

[@marisa5359]

Yes! Love Good Times!❤

[@CahoonHollow]

I am also disappointed that there is no mention of Good Times!! IMO their second best album after Pisces. I recognize that most put Headquarters ahead of Pisces but I just never listened to enough. Plus I like how Nesmith is more prominently featured in Pisces and the diverse subject matter of those songs.

[@JackRascal]

Great album, liked all the tracks, incl. Birth Of An Accidental Hipster. So-so Christmas album after that, of course.

[@melissacooper8724]

I loved their album Good Times!

[@nathanclark4674]

Thanks for giving the Monkees some love, Adam. They earned it, and their catalog speaks for itself. Great sound! A band I was in did Clarksville and Pleasant Valley Sunday, to amused and enthusiastic reception by audiences. Great catchy tunes, well performed.

[@cindysnow2123]

I heard the story about how they tried to get them to record Sugar Sugar and Mike Nesmith threatened to quit the band if they did!! Mickey Dolenz is a very underrated singer!!

[@TreantmonksTemple]

The story was made up by Kirshner. Sugar Sugar wasn't even written yet at the time this allegedly happened.

[@tammylewis2408]

Micky recently released an album/CD of REM covers since they are also Monkees fans. And does a great job of performing their songs.

[@DJO_61]

As a child of the 60's, the Monkees were a Saturday morning favorite. I was just a kid, but still crushed hard on Davy Jones' boyish face. I knew all the songs. I walked down the street with my friends doing the Monkee's cross-over walk. I had no idea they were cast in their roles - they were always a "real" band in my mind. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

[@IanAlcorn]

My mother is a giant Monkees fan, even to this day. She still has all the vinyl albums she bought growing up, and they were my introduction to music, along with The Glenn Miller Band courtesy of my grandfather. As soon as the show came back in syndication, we'd watch it together. Good Times.

[@darrellpark-qh5oq]

May truely ‘magical years’ like the late 60’s and 70’s come around again… In Canada, growing up as a teenager, It was surely incredible listening everyday, waiting for the incredible new tunes that came out of our radios… We had no worries, our parents basically let us all run free (just show up home for your meals), as we EXPLORED the land & our surroundings … Hopefully this planet will see such times again as we experienced in our youth! We lived enchanted lives, living with ‘Youthful Enthusiasm.’ Thanks Professor for ‘reminding me’ in my retirement.

[@outerspacebass]

What's magical is music is happening in the home again. KZbin and inexpensive instruments is giving so many access to musical education that otherwise wouldn't.

[@jeragenhope6822]

Sadly very few will ever be able to grasp the enchanted youthful times of exploration, journeys, wonder, magic and energetic zip that we walked into every mysterious wonderland with. We didnt need Disney... we made our own adventures. We didnt need drugs.... we were high on life. You try and explain but its just no use. they just sit and look at you like a dog would if you put food in your ear.

[@oougahersharr]

I had such a big crush on Mike Nesmith when I was a kid. And watching his guitar work in Valerie, I was always stunned that no one else talked about how good he was with the guitar. I saw audition tapes for Davy and for Mike. Mike's was hilarious to me, as he came in, pretty much ignoring the person trying to audition him, rooted through the cabinets, pulled out the other guy's lunch, sat at the table, and ate it. That was his audition.

[@oougahersharr]

@@stevephillips-w5v Really? Wow, the things I learn! So, I adjust my view to say that Louie Shelton was amazing on guitar!!!

[@shmataboro8634]

They ask for zany guys, he gives them epic zany.

[@kato64]

@@oougahersharr- I believe you can find the auditions (or at least portions) here on KZbin.

[@SueAnnaJoe]

Thank you for this. I fell in love with the Monkees in the 80s too. Peter Tork once said that Wenner hated them. Now that he's gone, I hope they will get in the HOF with Mike going in as a solo artist as well.

[@conniehodges3848]

11am Saturday morning. Time to watch The Monkees. Knew the show was dumb but loved watching every move of Davy Jones. ❤❤ Couldn't wait until the song performance at the end. Happy they fought for the recognition they deserved.

[@jaybeejay-f4m]

Everyday after school, i watched the show as reruns. i knew the lyrics to all the songs they featured on the show. Music and fun won over the depression of the 70's . Hard times smoothed over with silliness and music!

[@meeofcourse4152]

The SHOW, the humor, the good looking guys, I SAW their talent even then. Blessed to have seen three of the four locally just ab few years before Davy's passing... Likely a MUCH BETTER SHOW than what we would have witnessed when younger. STAYING POWER OF TALENTS 60+ YEARS ❣️

[@AlphaZaius67]

I’m happy to see all of your followers respect the Monkees. They are my favorite all time band and I was born in 1980. So much respect for them shooting a TV Show and learning how to be a band in 2 years and also not just collecting a paycheck, but fighting to be a band even though they knew their record sales would likely decline.

[@carolmorgan6734]

Davy said something I have never forgotten, "The greatest thing a father can do for their children is to love their mother." Profound

[@kennethwofford4489]

I was five years old when the TV show was originally broadcast. Already a Beatles fan, I thought The Monkees were super! Thanks for the trip down Amnesia Lane!

[@margaretwordnerd5210]

I was 11. My younger brothers and I loved it, and silly things like HR Puffenstuff.✌🖖

[@gippywhite]

I LOOOOVE the Monkees!!!!!!! I was born in ‘77 and watched the show on Nick At Nite around 2:30am when they repeated their lineup for the night. That’s when my insomnia started. 😅 But I have always loved them! Rest in peace to the fallen. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💙💙💙

[@ellzedd4113]

Thanks so much for doing this. The Monkees are a huge part of my youth. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to see them live 4x in 86 and 86. I met Micky on Toronto on publicity tour.

[@lindamcilveen5875]

Going to a Catholic grade school that believed in corpreal punishment and belittlement, I spent a lot of my childhood in tears. That is except for Saturday mornings when I watched the Monkees. I laughed and smiled so much. The joy was even greater when I listened and sang along to their music. Davy Jones was my first celebrity crush. 😊 I will always be grateful to these four guys who always brightened my days even in dark times.

[@slaphead8835]

The Monkees were unfairly attacked when, as you pointed out, almost EVERY band, such as The Association and The Beach Boys relied on the fantastic Wrecking Crew for all the basic tracks. “Headquarters”, perhaps the best Monkees LP featured Nesmith, Tork, Dolenz and Jones playing most of the instruments.

[@augustusbetucius2931]

The guys in the Monkees weren't entirely pretenders. Michael Nesmith was playing guitar, writing and performing his own music prior to getting hired as a Monkee. Peter Tork was also a musician prior to the Monkess. Tork and Jones already had experience as singers prior to the TV show. Nesmith of course, went on to have a career as a singer, song writer and musician after the Monkees came to an end. Nesmith has quite a catalog of great music from the seventies up to just before his death a few years ago. EDIT: I see you mentioned this, never mind.

[@gloriannconnor5533]

My first pop album was The Monkees. I was about to be 12 years old. I had every Monkee album and single. Every one loved Davy Jones, but I was all about Mickey and Peter. Thanks for doing a segment on them. I love your channel, keep up the great work!

[@bobparker8294]

When I was in 6th grade I would spend many Saturdays at the nearby roller skating rink. One day, as I was waiting in line to get in, a girl I liked came along and I offered to let her in line ahead of me. A few minutes later a guy came by handing out raffle tickets. The prize was the "More of The Monkees" album. Long story short, the winning ticket was held by the girl I let in line ahead of me. So close, yet so far away! The worst part is that, when I asked her if I could come over to her house and listen to it with, she very emphatically said, "NO!" What a great time we had in the '60s!

[@gregorytrotter6657]

With any class, she would have offered you the winning ticket, fully expecting, of course, that your chivalrous self would decline with a smile.

[@murraymclean9072]

You sound like a much better person than her.

[@brianlane9534]

And they haven't changed a bit.

[@SeattlePioneer]

Obviously an early "modern" woman.

[@Mr.Coffee213]

Be glad you didn't fall in love and marry her. Ugh! Best to find out early.

[@ashleighburton7273]

I lived with my grandparents for a while, and they only had 2 tv channels. One channel played reruns of old 60s and 70s shows, and this was one of them. As a 4 year old in the 80s, my first crush was Davy Jones. I thought Mickey was so funny back then, but as an adult watching a few shows I realize now how funny Mike was. I saw them in concert at a festival in my teens and they were great. I have their greatest hits and love them to this day. The Monkees are GREAT!

[@stevenmyers6291]

Hall of Famers for sure. They did something no one else did before them. They turned a TV show into a real band...and created some all-time great hits!

[@buddhamus]

I was 10y/o when the Monkees debuted on TV. It was perfect timing. The Beatles' music and A Hard Day's Night made me want to play the guitar and want to be in a band and The Monkees continued to fuel that desire every week. To this day, they are one of my favorite bands.

[@2crow4birds]

"I'm Goin Down", is a must see video to appreciate Dolan's talent as jazz singer!

[@Paul-dw2cl]

Dolenz

[@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living]

Yes, Micky Dolenz could sing. His voice is so pitch-perfect. If he wasn’t in a TV band, more people would appreciate his vocal abilities.

[@ellennewth6305]

I agree 100%. Micky is the most "under-rated" vocalist of the 60s. Great voice, great phrasing and perfect pitch! Did you know he was one of the original "Hollywood Vampires" along with Marilyn Manson? They used to hang out at the Rainbow Room on Sunset Blvd.

[@daleharris2393]

Mickey truly still has an amazing voice! My brother produced one of his latest albums “Remember” on which Mickey sings ALL the harmony vocals as well! Find it online; if you can buy it, you get the stories behind why these particular songs were chosen for the album! Cool stuff; enjoy “Mickey” and Monkee fans!

[@prschuster]

I remember them being called the "Prefab Four". That was a lot to live down. They did eventually write and play their own music, and held their own in the pop world.

[@matchrocket1702]

I remember well watching the Monkey when they first came on TV. We knew they weren't playing their instruments but their voices were great and they were so lovable and genuine.

[@vincentlem2534]

As a kid, I grew up on the show. My dream came true when I got to see 3 of them perform live in Toronto. I sing one of their songs at Karaoke. It is Day Dream Believer! Keep rocking Micky!

[@andybroer651]

Mickey Dolenz has one of the best rock vocals ever. Very distinctive and characterful. I put his vocals right up there with Freddie Mercury, he's just THAT good. Thanks for this video, The Monkees are completely underrated. Their 'Good Times' release is excellent.

[@CahoonHollow]

I was disappointed that this video did not mention Good Times. It’s one of their best albums.

[@andybroer651]

Completely agree! Yes! @@CahoonHollow

[@matthewhealy1892]

Mickey was good, maybe great. But Freddie was one of the greatest ever, so can’t agree there.

[@andybroer651]

Agreed Freddie was one of the greatest, I just think Mickey has been SO overlooked. Warrants a more thorough evaluation. Mickey's voice is so distinctive and characteristic he deserves more accolades. IMHO that is 🙂@@matthewhealy1892

[@gillboardman8998]

I saw the last Monkees tour in 2021, really just Mike and Mickey. Nesmith couldn't stand, let alone sing, but Dolenz could STILL belt out everything! And both of their kids could really play guitar. Glad I was able to see them both.😎👍

[@timomostert5883]

In 1969, I got a copy of Monkees Greatest Hits for Christmas. Still have it.

[@JM-zk9ou]

Nice!

[@michaelarturo6119]

I was 9 when "I'm A Believer" hit, it was huge, you could hear it several times a day playing from passing cars and people's apartment windows, it was everywhere. The Monkees enchanted us for a few shor years, before their legacy was revived,

[@donaldmccloud3067]

So many memories watching their TV show back in the 60s with my aunts, who were trying to deal with the death of their father in 1966. (My Grandfather). It was one of the only things that made them smile and laugh again. Bless you for spotlighting the Monkees, and bless the Monkees for bringing joy back into our lives.

[@edqueen7345]

I watched the Monkees as a kid and always enjoyed their music but it wasn't until I was in the Army and stationed in Saudi Arabia that I bought my first Monkees tape. It was a greatest hits compilation and I loved listening to it. Their music still brings back a lot of good memories.

[@JamesBrown-js3lm]

Networks were doing a great deal of experimenting in those days, there were the Banana Splits, a band of characters dressed in dog costumes and doing zany things, the Monkees were similar in the antics but for an older audience. I enjoyed watching both growing up.

[@jamesstrom6991]

one banana two banana three banana four…

[@Edward-bd8iy]

Fleeper, Dreeper, Drooper and Snork! That show gave us Secret Squirrel and Atom Ant. Also, I believe 'Danger Island'.

[@jzoberek]

Just hearing the opening notes of "Last Train to Clarksville" instantly puts me in a good mood.

[@B7S5-ed6vc]

I’m 66 now and loved the Monkees and was so proud that the little cute one was a (UK) northerner like myself! 😂 So many of our TV programmes back then were American and were unbelievably glamorous with beautiful blue skies and fantastic cars, so a Manc lad really stood out, in a good way! 😄 RIP Davy, and Peter and Mike (my favourite 😊)