🎵 The Monkees - (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone REACTION

[@jimolson8424]

A great classic. With a message. NOT YOUR STEPPING STONE....

[@teresabunting6364]

I was only about 6 yrs old when I was watching them on tv . I grew up with all their songs.

[@mozilla2576]

Still love the Monkies....after all these years. The tv show was a riot too.

[@swoesteban5570]

The year that the TV show "The Monkees" came out, it was ranked the #1 show in the US.

[@shelter9236]

This is the Monkees TV show and the Monkees singing on the show so thus the footage and this was in the 60s. So this group was formed for the TV show and they could also sing etc. and entertain. Davy Jones (the small one) was already a teen idol with us young girls back then so and was already singing and popular. They had several hits to choose from so they were still doing tours up to a few years ago but there is only one of them left, the drummer who sang on this one. Davy passed a few years ago and Peter and Michael passed within the last couple of years. Micky is the only one left, the drummer, who was singing on this song. Bob Rafelson, the writer, director, producer and maverick who set the tone for the swinging, psychedelic 1960s with The Monkees, then was a pioneer in one of the most influential eras in the history of independent film, has died at 89 a few days ago. Their TV show: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3fNf596mLaBlck

[@NotData]

This was a scene from their TV show. The two people watching the act were Russian spies. Davy unknowingly had top secret microfilm hidden in his maracas.

[@timpwhit]

A storyline which of course made perfect sense, because how could a plan to hide delicate microfilm in a violently-shaken musical instrument go wrong?

[@kimzwolinski9919]

Had to be in front of the TV by 4pm in the summertime 😊 love ❤ the monkees

[@brettkenschaft4239]

I can't tell you how many times that has happened to me 😆

[@twwtjohns]

More proof psychotropic drugs were in use by the show's writers.

[@williamh4172]

Wow! Good memory of the plot!

[@thomastimlin1724]

This particular song was done by punk bands years later in the late 70', early 80's.

[@arizrich]

All those happy young people dancing are now over 70....

[@bronzegod8037]

Great tune. Hey hey they're the Monkeys.

[@williamsaloka9043]

I grew up with "The Monkees. Music, T.V. show. Love them! So fun and special.

[@rondpert5167]

"Goin' Down" "Randy Scouse Git" "Star Collector" :Cuddy Toy"

[@crisbarber5404]

This song epitomizes the sound of the 69’s! The electric guitar, the organ, the drum solos, the beat. The Monkees were a very underrated group.

[@albertzappa1994]

the drummer doing the lead singer is still alive.💚

[@TiTiDianeN]

OMG! I used to come home from school (grade school) just to watch the Monkees everyday!

[@ryanzeigler9763]

Fun fact: Davey Jones from the Monkees is the reason David Jones had to change his stage name to David Bowie.

[@thesunrisesforeveryone7297]

Do you mean Cobbler Bob?

[@ryanzeigler9763]

@@thesunrisesforeveryone7297 sry, I don't think we go to the same parties

[@troutfishingchannel9694]

@@thesunrisesforeveryone7297 I do go to the same parties as you, mate. Glad to see another Cobbler Bob fan!

[@mollyhall2954]

Bowie said on a tv interview that he first changed his name to Tom Jones! Then, of course, he had to come up with David Bowie--but he didn't find out until much later how Americans pronounced Bowie (as in the Bowie knife.)

[@mollyhall2954]

(Or he wouldn't have named his son Zowie)

[@jaynebuchanan4612]

This is from their t.v. show, The Monkees. We did not have music videos then. Their new songs were introduced on their t.v. show. We raced home from school to watch every day.

[@videoinformer]

*"She"* is another great Monkees song that will give you the same "vintage" feeling, a feeling not only unique to the time. but also unique to the Monkees during the short 18 months they had their TV show, from September 1966 to March 1968. Mickey Dolenz (on drums) sings lead in both songs.

[@mollyhall2954]

I loved "She" but even when I was a kid it cracked me up because it was so dramatic--"and then she fed me dirt!" Micky had to learn to play drums, even though Davy was already a drummer, just because they wanted cute Davy in front! At least on the recordings they had Dolenz as their best singer, Nesmith second, Jones third and Tork got to sing a few--he wasn't bad at all, there were just too many singers! Live, same order, but Davy Jones, trained as a stage actor and had made it to Broadway and the Ed Sullivan show, could really belt out his songs on stage.

[@janabraam7963]

Brad had this one right. PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY is another great one. They have several. They are a fun group of guys!

[@bgallagher8129]

PVS written by Carole King.

[@laurakali6522]

Always reminds of growing up in the suburbs.

[@greg2976]

That's my favorite one!

[@davidlucio7151]

@@bgallagher8129 , and the famous Wrecking Crew played all the Monkee's music on the studio records - as they did with the Beach Boys and most popular Rock and Roll group's studio record recordings in the 50's and 60's; and also, in all the other genres of music in those span of 20 years: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqe0e2l6ppipZ7M

[@rogerbillings5081]

@@bgallagher8129 Her 1966 demo version of PVS is on KZbin. It's great.

[@notedrockhistorian4382]

I recently read about Mickey Dolenz, the only surviving member at 77. The anxiety of dealing with the other members all dying within a ten year period has presented some challenges going forward for him. I could not imagine dealing with that situation.

[@bridgethegapreactions]

The Monkees are so underrated

[@eugenestandingbear6516]

They were super cool at that time .

[@ciphernine7824]

A lot of folks dismissed The Monkees bc they saw them as actors on a TV show, but they all had musical backgrounds. They've always been criminally underrated and underappreciated. It saddens me knowing that Mike, Peter and Davy are no longer with us. They gave us all some unforgettable music and memories. RIP

[@EricHenning]

Underappreciated? "The Monkees” won the Emmy®️ for Best Comedy TV show! They sold millions of records! What are you talking about?

[@davidlucio7151]

@@EricHenning they sold good vocals. The music itself was from the Wrecking Crew Studio session musicians; to be fair, they did almost all the genres of music for movies, TV shows, and record labels for 20 years; which started in the 50's and 60's. Most all Rock and Roll group's (Monkees, Beach Boys, The Ronnettes, Sony and Cher) - the list is numerous - records were successful because of the great musicianship, arrangement, and high quality production: Peter Tork and Mick Dolence explain: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqe0e2l6ppipZ7M

[@0okamino]

Yeah, I was just thinking that the hits that The Wrecking Crew _didn’t_ play on back then is probably the much shorter list.

[@jimjungle1397]

Most people that study acting have some musical background or training, singing, piano, guitar, drums, wind instruments, music timing, dancing, etc. That pretty much goes with being a performer. Not all actors at great with music, but they usually have some musical experience as part of their acting education.

[@davidlucio7151]

@@jimjungle1397 , that's true; although, some actors are taught the 'How to' part, months ahead before filming, so they can appear like their playing the instrument - like in the movie Crossroads with Ralph Macchio and Steve Via. The studio hired an instructor to teach Ralph the guitar songs he would (seem) to play in the movie, but on actuality, in the editing room, Ralph's guitar scenes were overdubbed with Steve Via playing the instrumental guitar parts. Steve Via said the studio used him instead because they didn't want to gamble on Ralph not playing the part good enough, up-to-par, as his character in the movie was to be a good classical and blues guitarist.

[@andrewwaring3643]

“She” is another awesome song that I don’t think gets enough play.

[@dipsydoodle7988]

Great choice. These guys had a lot of poppy stuff, but they had some real rockers hidden in there too. Mickey was THE voice for those edgy, harder songs.

[@adriantrusca1245]

What edgy harder songs? This pretty much is a bumblegum pop band.

[@countdoomiest]

Easily their best song at least for me.

[@mollyhall2954]

@@adriantrusca1245 You haven't listened to all of their songs, obviously! Don't waste your time if you already think of Any band as a "bumblegum pop" band. (You don't think Lennon and McCartney had better ears than yours?) Dolenz and Nesmith have and had great voices and some great songs. Read a little about them and listen to them if you are really interested.

[@emmabauer1906]

@@mollyhall2954 agree. The Monkees had a funny formation, made for tv, but put out excellent music.

[@redcrabsc1149]

Micky Jones was/is one of the great vocalists of the 60s- proof is in this song. And I'll stand on that hill.

[@keensoundguy6637]

I remember cutting out a record of this song from the back of a cereal box. The record was "pressed" as a thin plastic film over the cardboard substrate. They could have just printed a URL, but we would have had to wait decades for the internet.

[@mrkelso]

Made me laugh!

[@user-DJDreamworld]

Glad this was one of Brad favoriite of the night

[@davidg2122]

Love the Monkees.

[@kilroy5128]

here we come ....walkin down the street..... get the funniest looks from everyone we meet hey hey were the Monkeys was my favorite shows when i was a kid and it was on

[@jenniferfoster1692]

Huge dance song!! The Monkees had a huge resurgence in the 80s, w/all of us then teens/college students who'd watched their show when we were young loving the songs again, and partying to them..so fun. Actually a very punk-type song construction adopted/evolved later into the 70s punk scene.

[@dano9008]

A Boyce and Hart song also performed by Paul Revere and the Raiders also. Another nostalgia fun band to try.

[@kennymcleod3016]

Love it - that guitar riff at the start is magnificent

[@tonytony5380]

Wow, Brad got it right off the bat🤟

[@anjoleeeickhoff6800]

These guys are vintage. They have a lot of great hits! They had their own tv show which was funny and watched for their music and hilarity!❤

[@edwardpate6128]

The Monkees belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They were unbelievably popular and had back to back to back million sellers in the 60's, even knocking the Beatles down in the charts.

[@brianbowie2551]

I’ve been waiting for this. Thanks

[@privateer0561]

It IS VINTAGE! Released in 1967! 57 years ago...

[@surlechapeau]

Brad & Lex, you’ll love their “Last Train To Clarksville” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday”!!!

[@mollyhall2954]

Take A Giant Step Outside Your Mind...

[@mollyhall2954]

Love Is Only Sleeping

[@mollyhall2954]

She Hangs Out "How old did you say your sister was?" Brad might have a lot to say about that song!

[@cathybrookeburt2616]

The fun thing about this group is that they were found individually, to make a band to make the 1965 tv series 'The Monkeys'. I used to hurry home after school to watch it every day. I was 12 & had a mad crush on Davy Jones, the little guy in front shaking the maraca's. Those were clips from the show. Sweet memories. Thanks.

[@ronaldcrawford9310]

I was 12 when they came on TV. Yup, I watched them! Took me bout 40years to realize how good they actually were.

[@joesmith8725]

This is early garage proto-punk from The Monkees. Many punk rock bands have covered this over the years for a reason. Classic! More proto-punk, yall! Trashmen "Surfin Bird" is next! Also other proto-punk bands MC5, Velvet Underground,/Lou Reed, The Shaggs, The Troggs, The Stooges/Iggy Pop, Paul Revere and the Raiders, etc You can move and dance to this, too.

[@KathySandru]

The Sex Pistols, Clash and The Ramones cite this as the proto-punk influence

[@ivanadams3809]

I like the count five also

[@jenniferjacobs228]

I think you had to be there and I was 1964... I was 11, and The Monkees TV show started...fun and silliness and we loved it. Then the albums came out and it was just rock and roll. It was not any sort of punk..just heaps of fun. All new and to us.

[@stevensprunger3422]

Oh my god you’re the only person around does it mention the “Shaggs” Shags wow yeah I didn’t learn about them till about 10 years back and I bought their album

[@michelleplombe7019]

@@jenniferjacobs228 Well that is what punk was about .. getting back to 'just rock and roll'. See Garbage Man by the Cramps for more of the story.

[@derwoodbowen5954]

Paul Revere and the Raiders did a really good version of this song. They gave it a bite, an edge. It is my favorite version of the song.

[@zoegartham312]

This is the song that most closely sounds like something The Rolling Stones would have done. In fact, I've had to do double takes on it from time to time just to see that it ISN'T The Rolling Stones. heh. Love it, great song!

[@shannonbennett987]

Ooh, my all time favorite Monkees song! Glad to see a reaction to it. Good one guys!

[@nicamarie946]

2 Monkees songs I enjoy but that usually get no love are "Auntie Griselda" and "I'm Gonna Buy Me a Dog"

[@sparkysjoint1616]

"Valerie" is underrated as well.

[@thersites3173]

Of all the great songs they do, those two are my favorites.

[@4tuneagent]

"Auntie's Municipal Court " and "You May Just Be the One" are 2 more for me..

[@13_13k]

Nica Marie --- You couldn't be more correct on both of those songs. They are two of my all time favorite Monkees songs. I was born in 1965 but have older siblings, 18 months to 6 years older so I got to listen to a lot of music at a young age and I still own the Monkees records and Beach Boys and Sonny and Cher and of course heavier rock music albums and 45s that I listened to hundreds of times as a kid. Those two songs are so funny and quirky and are just great songs that show a human side of their own music other than of the music that written for them by Boyce and Hart, Neil Sedaka, and other amazing song writers

[@alrivers2297]

@@sparkysjoint1616 Valleri

[@user-DJDreamworld]

The Monkees - Valleri might need to hear this one since that what your truck name is lol

[@user-DJDreamworld]

I can't wait for you to hear more of them they have some really great stuff

[@ytcai4535]

Some other groups you may want to check out from this era are Paul Revere and the Raiders (just Lie Me) and The Dave Clark 5 (Glad All Over). Both of these mid 60's groups had many hits.

[@alansilverman8500]

I'm not your steppin' stone...."I'm a Believer"!

[@arjaylee]

Paul Revere and the Raiders also recorded this song

[@richb313]

This song was written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart first recorded by Paul Revere & the Raiders in May of 1966 then recorded and released by the Monkees in November of that same year. The Monkees version has outlived them all still being used.

[@mollyhall2954]

One year there was a tour of The Monkees and Boyce and Hart, "The Guys Who Wrote The Songs And The Guys Who Sang Them."

[@APAL880]

Minor Threat's is my favorite

[@unclefido6484]

🤘 🤘 one of the greatest TV shows! And Don Kirshner is the man!

[@marlaelliott7656]

I just heard Micky Dolenz sing this live Saturday! His the last member alive. He is the lead and drummer!

[@BeHappy-cp4fv]

That review was groovy!

[@paulboudreau3754]

Words is a Monkees deep cuts but it's one of my favorites. Of course they ended up doing the movie HEAD, which was a freading acid trip and the Porpoise Song reflects that. Totally different vibe.

[@ladyevil64]

"Words" is my favorite Monkees' song. I love the dark, moody vibe.

[@MySherry10]

Loved Mickeys voice, I remember playing thier 45s and watching the Monkees as a kid , they were fun and as I got older , I really caught some of the humor hidden in those shows. There was one where a girl comes and Davy is talking to her and she asks what he means, And Mike Says Davy Means buisness baby. As an Adult I got that . LOL

[@gregkerr725]

The Monkees as well as Paul Revere and the Raiders were considered sort of manufactured bands...but man...they had some hits for sure, regardless if they wrote all their own songs or not.

[@SG-js2qn]

This song is from 1966, the year after the Rolling Stones released "Satisfaction," which I think might be the first pre-punk type rock song. It's also a year after Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone," which was kind of a complex, angry break up song that he made at the time he switched from acoustic folk to electric guitar. IMO, older pop music started to change at this time from teeny bopper dance and surf music to what we might recognize as rock. By 1967, the metamorphosis was largely complete, and we have rock with mature and eclectic themes and more complicated compositions, like the "Sgt. Pepper" album, Hendrix, Clapton, etc.

[@JulioLeonFandinho]

that "pre-punk" sound already existed before even Satisfaction... there were lots of american garage rock bands like The Sonics before The freaking Monkees were ripping off their sound and making it more polite... I mean, listen to The Music Machine instead and do yourself a favour. And I didn't even talk about all the british bands like, obviously The Kinks in the first place...

[@SG-js2qn]

@@JulioLeonFandinho It's always a matter of hair splitting. I'm find with taking "Satisfaction" as the first one that was big hit.

[@scambammer6102]

"You Really Got Me" the Kinks August 1964

[@SG-js2qn]

@@scambammer6102 To me, that's not very punk. It's more of a soft teeny bopper pop that happens to have a hard-edged riff. But everybody gets to decide for themselves. :)

[@ZEPnALE]

The Who's "My Generation" should also be included in any discussion about the roots of punk rock.

[@pbasswil]

What I like about old-school rock ('pop'-rock or otherwise) is the sound of the guitars. Even early Stones tracks: There was a bit of amp 'break-up' (the natural gritty sound of tubes at the amplitude limits of their fidelity), but it wasn't the automatic heavy distortion of later rock. It was _twang city,_ and you could hear some clarity in the highs and high mids. When they brought in a fuzz pedal it was something _different,_ a deliberate sonic effect, not the default sound of rock, the way overdrive distortion became.

[@sherigrow6480]

I still have this album (their 2nd) all these years later. As others say, also try 'She' and 'Mary, Mary' or the great eclectic 'Shades of Gray', and watch one of their episodes to catch their theme song,

[@musiclover7840]

As many people have already said, the Monkees were more than just a pre-fabricated pop band. Some of their later albums showed off their more serious side. "Shades of Gray" was considered one of their most serious songs. Their "Daily Nightly" was the first use of a Moog synthesizer in a rock song.

[@Chris-ImperialAerosolKid]

Last Train To Clarksville by them is awsome

[@LynnThompsonAuthor]

Even though the Monkees were a fake band created for a TV show intended to appeal to teenage girls, they put out a few really good songs. This song almost sounds a little punky to me, and it came out in the mid-1960s, way ahead of the punk movement.

[@Chatta-Ortega]

Wow...my parents recorded my two older sisters and me singing this song when I was 5. Can't believe I still remember most of the lyrics

[@huck944]

Going Down is also a little known Monkees classic.

[@davidschweig7993]

Sex Pistols did a great cover of Steppin' Stone. Would love hear your reaction to their version.

[@myrddhix8183]

Absolutely!

[@Rockaria23]

PJ & Duncan did a cover in 1996, but that's another story lol

[@jamesw.5855]

Paul Revere and the Raiders also did this song. Very similar sound.

[@mwanush]

Minor Threat did as well

[@naebodyknows7016]

British group The Farm did a version in the early 90s, it's pretty groovy 😀

[@danielbritton8588]

"Just like Me." Paul Revere & the Raiders.

[@csedrivers2850]

This is a cool 60s vibe. 😎

[@Fakename70]

This was my favourite Monkees tune as a kid in the ‘70’s, and, one of the main reasons I abandoned guitar lessons because of my obsession with learning that bass line.

[@pablovandyck]

Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart wrote most of the Monkees' songs. And mostly the musicians on the records were the gang of LA studio musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew". The Wrecking Crew were the players on many Beach Boys songs, and really almost all the songs coming from the West Coast bands, and many of the popular songs of the 60's & 70's.

[@mollyhall2954]

Reporters heaped scorn on The Monkees because of their being forced to use "the wrecking crew," never mentioning in articles all the other bands who used them, such as The Mamas and The Papas.

[@JayHennigan]

Great song from one of my fav bands. Thanks for playing, your reactions were spot on Brad & Lex - More Monkees tunes pls! Maybe "Valerie", and "For Pete's Sake"

[@DanSolo871]

I used to watch the Monkees all the time when I was a kid. It was usually shown along with Get Smart and partridge family and Brady bunch. Amazing how this stuff isn’t shown much anymore.

[@robincochran7369]

If you want to hear Mickey at one of his best vocals, react to Going Down. Also, Paul Revere and the Raiders did a version of this song as well.

[@m.a.robbins4907]

Absolutely. Goin' Down will give you a whole 'nother vibe with the Monkees. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp_do3qobJ2ArdU

[@williamh4172]

Yeah, Micky is my favorite Monkee. I look at this song as a little early punk.

[@kencliff9914]

Goin’ Down is a great tune and not what you generally expect from the Monkees!

[@mollyhall2954]

@@kencliff9914 Mainly great because Dolenz was a jazz singer before he was a rock singer! Singing it live he was amazing!

[@kerrylewis2581]

The Monkees were the best when I was a little boy. On the other hand, my sister had her bedroom plastered with Davy Jones posters.

[@edwardthorne9875]

Monkees showed me what pop music could do, and the goofy show made me laugh. It still sounds fresh. If you doubt Mickey's skill as a singer, try 'Goin' Down'. Bring a lyrics sheet, the speed of delivery is fantastic.

[@dannycasson1551]

Peter Tork tearing it up with that bass! My first record I bought was Here Come The Monkees or something like that. Trippy! ☮

[@pablovandyck]

The bass player is Larry Taylor, a studio musician, later a member of Canned Heat.

[@dggydddy59]

Hey! Hey! We're The Monkees (Theme Song From The Monkees) is probably what you're referring to.

[@dannycasson1551]

@@pablovandyck well, I had my tongue in my cheek but they don’t have an emoji that!

[@dannycasson1551]

@@dggydddy59 I think your right…it’s been awhile!

[@somethingyousaid5059]

"Going Down" by the Monkees is a good one. A crazy one.

[@richard_n]

Some of the bands that were created for tv and film were really quite good. You guys really need to check out The Blues Brothers. John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd created the idea for Saturday Night Live and it was so successful that it was made into a movie featuring some of the greatest music artists of the time. The band they formed was literally a who's who of highly talented musicians while John and Dan showed that they could deliver singing, dancing, and playing as well.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

All their songs were written by some of the greatest lyricists in American Pop Music history; two of which were Carole King and Gerry Goffin -- they were who the Beatles emulated as the best of the craft.

[@kajabrill2404]

Preach..Brad! Lol

[@richardknight8986]

Watched them every day at 4 pm on channel 56 out of Boston from New Hampshire. Loved it

[@Boatzilla2]

Simple message. Classic. Love this one. Thanks for sharing.

[@frankrizzo4460]

Mickey Dolenz is the only one left. The others left us way too soon 🙏🎸

[@carlecat9868]

An interesting combination of garage and early prog rock.

[@loristone9242]

Brad is feeling it! Lex is like *what* 🤨 Go 'head Brad, you do you. 😆

[@johnlocke6410]

Loved the Monkees. We saw them in concert twice in the 80s and they put on an amazing show. Highly underrated band. Check out Last Train to Clarksville.

[@jeffreekoch9298]

The Monkees going proto-punk, garage rock here. 😆. Good song. Brad you are right, but so is Lex. You can also dance and groove to this. Example, just look at the people in this video.

[@jenniferjacobs228]

The Monkees were my first big band crush in 1964...and this is from an episode of the the tv show. This song shows that The Monkees could rock with the best of them imo.

[@normandavidtidiman9918]

Great drums & bass in this

[@Tampahop]

This was such an unusual band. It started out as a purely made-for-tv band, but essentially became a real band because they were too good.

[@user-DJDreamworld]

The women in the purple hat and shirt she is a wonderful person who i have became friends with she was in most of there shows

[@johna1608]

my sisters went to see them in Greensboro, NC in the 60s. before Woodstock. Jimi Hendrix was their opening act.

[@rob7953]

Great song! The version by Paul Revere and the Raiders is even better -- a more angry vibe.

[@daveclark7053]

Vintage? Yep the late 1960's I was 10, 11, 12 and the Monkees tv show was a big deal every Saturday morning. Cute tunes.

[@funkster007]

You guys would like "Valleri" by the Monkees. Another banger with Davey Jones on lead vocals.

[@kevinsmith2666]

They were great for a made up for a TV show band that I watched as a kid in the late 60's. This is one of my favorites from them. Rest In Peace Davy, Peter and Mike. The only one left is Drummer and usual lead singer Mickey Dolenz

[@dmmjq2]

I used to love watching the show Growing Up.. it still comes on MeTV or FGTV I catch it every now and then I still watch it

[@rhondaflesher8313]

Another really great one of theirs is "Shades of Grey." Good harmonies, good lyrics, plus one of the few times you get to hear Peter Tork sing solo (he sings the second verse, Davy does the first).

[@tyreewhite6653]

Thank You, Thank you !

[@patticrichton1135]

This song was first a hit for Paul Revere and the Raiders, another VERY popular '60s group which I WISH you would react to, and then later the Monkees recorded it.

[@mcon8727]

One of my favorite Monkees songs! Good choice!