I was privileged to produce the solo project by Micky Dolenz, "Remember." The core of that entire album is Micky's musicality. It didn't take us long to realize we didn't need any backing vocalists...Micky sang ALL vocals on every song...harmonies, counterpoint, everything! We recorded his vocals in my studio. While tracking, there were several times I would hear THAT VOICE and flash back to watching the show as a kid! Micky's work ethic was stellar and I must say, we had so much fun throughout the project. Thanks for creating this video and your comments on the genuine talents of The Monkees.
Well that is a very interesting story. Thank you for that. I was a Mickey fan because I had loyalty to him from watching Circus Boy. I always liked his face. I still do. They were all great though. Look at how much effort Davey puts in for example and just love that beautiful song Joanne by Michael. Anyway here I am after all these years, still a Mickey fan. Only one left, God love him.
@@tracyanne8616 What? Circus Boy? I forgot all about that and loved that show. And I never connected him with The Monkees! Loved The Monkees, too. Great show - such fun!
I love that album. I also love the theme/idea behind the songs. All of his solo stuff is great, and he's had a phenomenal career. So did Mike. I had tickets to two of their concerts when they were here in Seattle. Unfortunately, after purchasing the tickets and arranging for time off of work, I ended up in the hospital BOTH times, so I couldn't go to either of them. My brother went and was able to (easily) find someone to take my place. I figured someone else should enjoy them even though I was devastated. I do have the cd for the Mike and Micky show, but it would have been great to see that one in person (but the pandemic hit). I have always loved, respected and enjoyed the Monkees and their music.
The Monkees have gotten a raw deal their entire career. They could play, Davy was a drummer and Micky played guitar but the producers wanted Davy out front. Davy also could play bass, he had a short scale. Mike Nesmith was a pioneer with country rock and you can hear it on the albums. The establishment were against them because they had instant hits because of the TV show. I think these guys deserve to be in the Hall of Fame! The album Headquarters was just them, no one else. The Monkees have had a longer tenure than most of the haters and naysayers that dismissed them as the prefab four.
davy jones was no more a drummer than dolenz was a guitarist, they had virtually no musical ability for studio recording however they proved to be capable players on tour
Studio musicians were used for almost every recording artist in those days. Beach Boys used the same guys. The Monkees were made for tv and therefore got outed when they had so much success right off the bat. They played on tour. Hell today performers almost all use pre recorded tracks on stage, some can't even sing live and either sync it or now can use autotune in real-time .
I saw the Monkees live in Feb 1967 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. No extra musicians - no backing tracks - no autotune (which, of course, didn't exist at the time) - and yes, they could play and were great live.
Quick correction - it was actually April - I remember it as being earlier in the year because we had to drive through a pretty serious blizzard to get there from Grand Forks, ND - but that's the glory of growing up in the Great Northwest!
Friend of mine had a bar in Central Jersey in New Brunswick call Patrick's and would hire National Acts and one of them was I believe it was Michael Nesmith and I think Peter Tork also
Saw them at the Empire Pool, Wembley , London, around 67/68. We sat in the balcony seats just above and behind them, and they had big Vox Beatle-Amps, and the same instruments, played by the same people as on the TV shows.There were no other musicians on stage as I remember. The sound was the same as on their records. They got that huge lump of concrete rocking with their efforts, plus all the stamping and screaming from the audience, and it was truly a night to remember. As I was in a bit of a band myself then, I can say that their stuff only looks easy, because they made it look that way.
Many of the top songs by the Monkees in the 60's STILL sound good today, 55 years later. Pleasant Valley Sunday and Last Train to Clarksville are just two of them. They are classics. The Monkees provided excellent vocals.
Not sure if it’s true or not but I read that Mike was going to be the lead singer but as soon as Micky sang he wanted Micky to be lead. Anyone know if this is right?
All four of them absolutely deserve to be recognised for their talent - and the fun, laughter & great music they brought into the lives of so many people. Thanks for doing this ❤🙏❤
I appreciate HOW MUCH you were smiling and obviously enjoying the video!! This is VERY HAPPY music, which we REALLY NEED at the moment. I LOVED this group and the tv show in my childhood, and have NEVER tired of their music. They had true chemistry, just magic, in my opinion. The silliness, fun songs, DAVEY JONES AND HIS DANCE MOVES, etc. made a SWEET and DREAMY tv show for MANY, MANY young girls like me!!💕💕 I have nothing but love and respect for these guys!!!!
This "VERY HAPPY music" is about a guy who wants to see his girlfriend one last time, because he's been drafted into the military, is heading to Vietnam to fight a war, and he "don't know if he's ever comin' home"
@@ItsVideos They took a serious subject and threw their Monkees charm and energy into it, through and through. Not too many sad Monkees fans when we listen to their music.
Today is the passing of Mike Nesmith, Rest in Peace. December 11, 2021. I grew up watching and listening to their music and TV show. I think, in some ways, they were so underrated at the time. I'd like to think now that their music is much more appreciated as time goes by. This clip was a great performance! Each of the Monkees were talented and special in their own right.
Back in 1968 I thought I was a Monkee. I even toured the back yard, the neighborhood and my church. They didn’t like my heartfelt rendition of “Hey, Hey We’re the Monkees.” Good times. I was 5.
Daydream Believer is just awesome. I loved the Monkees and still do. The TV show was innovative and funny, and I would watch it today over most modern comedies. And all were talented singers and musicians. They didn't get the respect they all deserved.
If you dismiss the Monkees because of the Wrecking Crew, you would have to also dismiss the Mamas and Papas, the Beach Boys, the Byrds and a hundred other acts.
Including the Beatles. The song "Yesterday" was written and sung by Paul McCartney. No other Beatles voices or instruments are on the song. I wonder if Paul even played an instrument on that one. The song "For No One" written and sung by Paul McCartney. No other Beatles are on the song. Heck I don't even think PM was playing any instruments in this song. They hired out the help. Eleanor Rigby and The Beatles song A Day in the Life... Heck they hired a whole orchestra for that song.
@van wray Was the origin of The Beatles "organic"? Bon Jovi? These were people brought together by someone else. If you're going to criticize how a band formed then there is no limit to the number of bands out there that are "inorganic".
@@Doormanswift No one brought the Beatles together except John meeting Paul, and Paul bringing in George. Ringo was brought in when they started recording, due to Pete Best not being up to the job, but Ringo was not some hired studio player, but someone who had been on the scene for years, that they all knew and liked. "Organic" refers to bands who bring themselves together. If some managing, producing, or recording company or person brings a bunch of strangers together to record, that is not "organic".
I think the greatest story about The Monkees is the fact that they actually became the band that they were portraying on television. Two actors were starting to develop musical skills and two musicians were starting to develop more acting skills, plus they learned from each other. When they were given the right to compose, arrange, and perform their own music it resulted in their greatest album, Headquarters. That was all the proof they needed.
@@thomaskay779 I put Pisces in the same classification, but Headquarters was their best as far as being an album of which they took total control over all aspects of it. I love Pisces, it's definitely one of my favorites, but they use a lot more outside help and there are only three original songs on there.
Peter Tork was asked to come to his first Monkee's recording session, he showed up with his guitar. The producers asked him what he was doing with that. He responded that he was there to play. They told him: " No, we just want your voices." Peter said: "The music was already done, I just had to sit there & watch Micky sing over the track." Peter could play guitar, keys, & banjo.
Mickey Dolenz had a fantastic voice and Peter Tork actually played keyboard for Stephen Stills for a while and it was Stills that put him up for the job on the Monkees TV show. R.I.P. Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith. Lets hope Mickey Dolenz has a good few years left in him. Their songs were fantastic.
Stephen auditioned for the part but didn't get it because of his snaggle tooth! So he sent Peter to the audition and the rest is, as they say, musical history!
I'm one of those who loved the Monkees more than the Beatles.... I know I get flack for that, but I grew up more on The Monkees and they were a large part of my life. I commend them for embracing the music that was part of the TV show. I'm blessed to have seen them two separate times and there was no doubt they played and played with heart. I wish Mike could have been a part of this performance! Mike and Micky were always my favorites of the group. I agree I always loved Nesmith's writing the best out of all their songs.
I saw an interview with Mickey once. He went for the tryouts and was hired that day and was told he would play drums. Micky said he told them he doesn't play drums he plays guitar. Dude told Mickey that he was overwhelmed with guitar players, if he wants the job he plays drums. So Mickey learned to play drums , and you all know the rest. This information came straight from Mickey. Thanks Brothers and Sisters Keep Rocking. Brother Gary
@@Johnny-lr5jt An actor learning to play their part is not a sell out. He was an actor who had already starred in his own show. He played guitar but his career was acting.
Thanks so much for this one. I ran the Monkees fan club from 1979 to 1982 and met them many times. I miss Davy, Peter and Mike so much and have been seeing Micky touring the US last year and this year. Love all of these videos and will eventually watch them all.
That's great - on British TV the show was repeated in the early '80s, and being a kid and it being so colourful, I thought it was a new show! I wanted to be Peter Tork and my brother wanted to be Mike (he even got the hat) :D I've been a big fan of the music since then.
PS: Mickey Dolenz is a *huge* supporter and aficionado of FermiLab here in Illinois. While he's not a degreed astrophysicist like Brian May, the scientists here at Fermilab are amazed and flabbergasted at Mickey's questions and interest in the operations. The staff loves when Mickey comes to visit :)
@@watzup62 I always liked watching Circus Boy with Micky dolenz back in I guess what was it the early sixties Maybe and yeah I just enjoyed that as a kid
Everyone made fun of them in the beginning, They sure proved themselves to be good, fun musicians. They always made me smile. Sad that Davey and Peter died young. Thanks, Fil.
@ C Anna Cliffords: just finding out about mike by reading your comment. that’s sad news. but mike annoyed me because he wouldn’t rejoin until after davy died.
@@cannacliffords7462 I saw Michael Nesmith and Mickey Dolenz on a talk show. They were discussing their departed bandmates Peter Tork and Davy Jones. Nesmith was explaining that he and Peter Tork simply didn't like each other. They were civil, and Nesmith said by all indications Tork was perfectly nice man, but their personalities clashed somehow. But he said, despite all that, when he heard the news that Peter had passed away ... at that point Nesmith burst into tears and couldn't continue the story. It was quite touching. He may not have been fond of Peter Tork, but he still loved him.
I saw Peter and Micky in an interview on MTV in the 80's and they described the Monkees in a really succinct way. There were two musicians with acting sensibilities and two actors with musical sensibilities and then they helped each other to balance everything out. This is how they pulled it off so successfully.
I played bass for years before I felt comfortable singing at the same time. We showed up at a gig and our lead singer was a no show. I was the only one who knew all the songs, I've always had a git for remembering lyrics, so I had to do most of the singing. Talk about a trial by fire.
The Monkees were made up of four very talented guys. They far outlived their TV show. Acting in that show made it pretty impossible to play on their own records very much. Not enough hours in the day. However, their Headquarters LP was not too shabby. Loved it and the story behind it. But also loved Justus the only other album of just them playing and singing. They were all great performers, great song writers and Peter was a singer/songwriter/musician who just got better with age. I heard him play and sing many times live and it was wonderful. Monkee live shows were always a treat as well. And they were really nice guys to meet in person. Thanks for taking the time to review this performance. Loved your input and observations.
~ Girl Thanking you for making the morning brighter ~ Girl Thank you for making the night time nicer ~Girl~ It's been a while since i seen that Brady episode but i remember the song Girl ,was it on the Brady bunch or was it a Monkees episode when they looked at Davey he had a twinkle-sparkle special effects added to his eyes? My little sister always said Davy Jones was super dreamy
My parents used to let me stay up 'late' to watch "The Monkees" on TV when I was 7 or 8 yrs old. It was such a different era....mailing off camera film to be developed and then having to wait 2 weeks to get photos back...sitting next to the transistor radio with your cassette deck waiting to record a new song...anxiously awaiting Monday nights to see the Monkees. Its nice to have UA-cam and Spotify but young people will never fully understand the excitement and anticipation of seeing bands/musicians on TV in decades gone by...because that was the only place you could see them. Thanks, Fil.
Yes. There was something about waiting a week to see your favorite show. Also, I remember joining the scholastic book club in elementary school. I'd mail in my order with a check and wait for my books to arrive. The feeling I got when the package arrived and opening it up and seeing the new books was wonderful. Then after reading them I'd place a new order and go through it all again. Nowadays everything is immediate. That feeling of anticipation taught me to appreciate all that I got. I still do. As for the Monkees, I loved them! I would switch my crushes from Davey to Peter to Mickey and back.
I am from south germany and even on german tv we could watch the monkees tv show. It was just crazy, I was maybe 7 years old. And yes I can remember the times "sitting next to the transistor radio with your cassette deck waiting to record a new song..". The Times They Are A Changin'.
mikes not here but yes he and pete were actual musicians. davy was a decent drummer and it turned out mickey had the chops to be the voice of the monkee's
He never wrote any of their music that was commercially successful or popular though. That was Boyce & Hart, Kirshner, Messrs. Shelton and the Wrecking Crew I'm afraid. Every time you heard Clarksville on their show, you were listening to a very accomplished group of studio musicians, not Mike, Peter, Micky or Davy. Micky could even keep time. Mike and Peter were the only ones who had any semblance of a musical background, but not to the level of proficiency to perform their recordings, sorry. Louie Shelton had 3 guitar players, himself included, to play Clarksville and its famous guitar solo part in the middle. No shame on Michael or Peter for that. They were just over-matched.
Think of the grind and enormous pressure and requirements of a band that had to film a tv series, go on tour around the world, and be in the studio whenever necessary to record albums and singles, all the while, trying to gel and grow as a tv cast and an actual band !! NOBODY else had to or could've done this ! And by the way, as ,many of you know, a lot of so called "legitimate" bands had LOTS of studio musicians playing on their records, but fans knew nothing of this, while the Monkees were roasted for being "fake". It's a wonder they even lasted as long as they did in their initial incarnation. Thanks Fil !
In those days, it was expensive to film bands. So they couldn't afford to have mistakes and waste film. This is why they mimed to a studio track. And concert bands will do the same thing. In order to guarantee a flawless performance night after night, the music (some or all) may be prerecorded, and then band is playing along, but the audience hears the recording, not the band. Consider the pressure on the singers for instance, performing several times a week for almost a year. The vocal chords are not really evolved for that. I saw this when I was 15 and saw Queen live in Dallas. During the 'Bohemian Rhapsody', the lights on stage were dimmed until the stage was pitch black. Then a mistake was made a minute later and the lights came back on. The band was not on the stage, but the music was still playing. And the band rushed back onstage, grabbing guitars from the stands, and resuming the performance.
In 66, Peter played five instruments. He later learned all orchestra instruments plus instruments from other countries and composed at least one concerto. Micky was a classical guitarist. Once he realized he could girls singing pop songs he made the switch and started a band, the Missing Links. He was cast as the drummer. David and Peter taught him to play drums.
I have rarely seen anything that joyful! One can tell they were having a BLAST- absolutely jubilant. And I loved the fact that you were appreciating them as a fellow musician. Just wonderful! Thank you!
Another underrated band! These guys were great! Love the song “Pleasant Valley Sunday”. It’s my favorite one. Great analysis video Fil! As always. ❤️🤘🏼
yeaop, I see a functioning band that sounds great! Even on their show 'The Monkees' and on their albums they did all the singing, which obviously was very professional.
The Monkee's were good musicians and they had great song writers. Neil Diamond, Carol King, Boyce and Hart, Neil Sedaka, Carol Bayer Sager, Mike Stoller of Leiber and Stoller, all wrote songs for them. Can't get better writers than that.
That's a little over simplified. Their show producers paid for music that was already written, and in some cases already released by the writers themselves or other professional artists. Tin Pan Alley produced lots of great songs for many great artists.
I saw in an interview that Davy was actually a decent drummer, but he was so short they were afraid he wouldn’t be seen and he was to be the “face” of the Monkees. Peter played many instruments, Mike was a really good guitar player and Mickey was a guitar player. And it was Stephen Stills that originally tried out for the Peter role, but the producers thought he looked too old and had bad teeth. He heard them say something to that effect and he said “my roommate looks just like me and can play and sing” and they told Stephen to call him in. Peter Torkelson was his roommate.
Geeking Out! but why would they encourage still to call peter in if he looked just like him since he looked too old & had bad teeth? stills could play & sing too ...
@@steelethescene they wanted good looking, teenage type boys for a tv show. They liked Stills look but Peter looked younger. They didn’t care so much about musicianship as they did looks.
Their show was aimed directly to me and my siblings. In 66 we were 7, 6, 5, and 4. I seemed to remember Davey in the forefront more often than not. In hindsight that was probably the fact that he had become a teenage heart throb. Mickey's daughter Ami went on to become a pretty good actress in her own right. LOL. I grew up in a little town of 500 in Ohio, Clarksville. There was a train, but it was a freight car, and only stopped to get the corn from the mill. The tracks were torn out a long time ago. So they last train was a long time ago.
Both Peter Tork & Michael Nesmith were underrated songwriters & folk musicians. And Nesmith is the Father of Music Television. Peter was a very personable, intellectual & gentleman.
@@zamiel3 And that it was rated R, so that most of their fan base couldn't get in to see it and could only buy the (excellent) album! Jack Nicholson almost seemed to want to sabotage them...but they didn't think that.
I remember when MTV actually used to have music related content and would have "Monkees Marathons"..so much fun..we would watch all weekend, staying up and just enjoying wholesome content.. My mom always sang "Daydream Believer" to me as a little girl and as a consequence I've always loved them.
I became interested in the Monkees via the Monkee Marathons. Even though I heard their songs now and then when I was little and of course there was the famous Brady Bunch episode when Davy appeared, those Marathons led to my seeing the Monkees seeing them perform as a trio in concert 9X and Davy perform solo 2X between1986-2011. I first met Davy in March 1988(this was one of 3 times). Being a high senior then, I had THE subject of the week LOL.
Came of age with the Monkees. Hard to believe Micky is the only surviving member. As it is with the hundreds of great musicians we’ve lost, their music lives on.❤️
I remember watching the TV show in 67. I was three. The next year I noticed they were playing the same videos but with different songs and then all of a sudden I noticed they were doing a commercial for some cereal maybe frosted flakes and Peter wasn't there and they weren't talking about it. And I came to understand the concepts of reruns and things change.
I saw the Monkee's twice in concert. Once at the Roanoke Civic Center, Va and the other time at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap in Northern Virginia. The fans responded like they were the Beatles with the majority of the fans being in their early-twenties (1990s and early 2000s). They were fabulous in both concerts. I played in bands and we covered from hard rock to top-40 Pop and was blown away by their ease and total performance. Great review.
Just a point of order. They were touring within a month of the release of that first album. They also played the majority of their sets without a backing band. Mickey Dolenz once said in an interview that when he was told he had one the part on the Monkees TV show, the producers told him to go home and practice his playing. So the plan was always for them to be a working band on some level.
One thing we know for a fact: They definitely sang their songs. Mickey and Davy did sing the lead to their hits. For many performers, that's all they do. Yet no one questions those performers who only sing.
I think the "not singing" was that they tended to use studio recording (duh, they were there for tv), and then (like everyone else) use a dub track on the shows/live (for a while)
Mike was also given a token 2 songs per album that he sang. Mike's songs always had a country kind of twang to them. I liked all of his songs, or better, I liked all of the Monkees songs.
On their first two albums, the backup singers were not the any of the Monkees, except for a few songs. So it's not completely true that they sang their own songs.
I loved the Monkees as a child and my daughters grew to love them, too. We attended a Monkees concert and one part featured Peter Tork on piano playing a Bach Invention. Pretty impressive!
The musicians that were jealous of The Monkees were actually jealous of the song writers and The Wrecking Crew and didn't know it. They were not Milly Vanilly. Their voices were authentic and so was their personalities as actors. It had to be invented that way for success. Try to find a good band with all that camera ready appeal. Impossible. Another good one Fil.
The Wrecking Crew did a lot of studio work for many big groups, not just the Monkees. Beach Boys, Association, Gary Lewis, Mamas and Papas. But the others didn't get the same hassles.
He wrote none.. Don Kirshner the music producer on the show hire all the best. Their first hit which cant remember which one it was actually came out before the first Monkees tv show
@@phishpot he wrote no e of their hits from the show. His biggest writing credit is Differe t Drum and The Stone Po ys turned into a hit with Linda Rinstadt as their lead singer. You are a dufus for saying he wrote any of the music from the show.
The Monkees were great. They were kids thrown into a tough situation and did a stand up job making the best of it. They did nothing wrong. Heck. Disney repeats the cycle of taking a young actors/actresses and making them a music star with top level writers and production....over and over. Before that - Every record company put together a "band" of young guys out of thin air. It was called the 90's. Back Street, N'Sync, 98 degrees, -- Then recreated again in the 2010's with One Direction. It has become a formula. The Monkees were just the kids who proved it could work. Saw them as a youngster in 1986 or 87 for the 20th anniversary tour. My first concert....all i remember is having fun. Ill always have a soft spot for The Monkees.
Nevermind Disney, record companies do it. Carol Kaye played the guitar on LaBamba uncredited. She's also the bass on countless recordings you've heard. Most bands recorded with session musicians and only played their own instruments on tour. Instruments on the Beach Boys records are also the "Wrecking Crew." (Carol Kaye insists that back in the day they were called the clicque, and the Wrecking Crew name came later.)
@@chartle1 Never heard of O town, so for me, The Monkees are the better example and long before these guys. Did a quick look and all i see is these guys singing-- no instruments? Not very impressed with a lot of these acts today that can't seem to play anything. All they can do is sing!
@@KStewart-th4sk O Town was a boy band created on a MTV reality show called Making the Band in 2000. They held tryouts and then did a sort of bootcamp to weed down to 5 members.
I always liked “What Am I Doing Hangin ‘Round” with Mike Nesmith on lead vocals. That track was from their album “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Jones, LTD.” The song was penned by Owens Castleman and Michael (Martin) Murphey, who had a massive hit with “Wildfire” in 1975. Boyce & Hart and Harry Nilsson also contributed songs on that Monkees album.
The Monkees were such a huge part of me wanting to play an instrument. I watched the reruns in the 80's of their tv show and I was hooked. I taped all of the episodes on VHS. RIP Davy, Peter, and Michael. Thank you for the memories.
A couple of songs written by Mike Nesmith of the Monkees: Mary, Mary; Listen to the Band and Different Drum made popular by Linda Rondstadt and the Stone Poneys Sad that Davey Jones and Peter Tork are no longer with us.
August 66...mom said I was too young to go to a Beatle’s concert. I was heartbroken. Fall 1966, The Monkees came on television and my parents watched every episode with me. February/March 1967, mom let me go see the Monkees in concert even though I was still 11. What fun for a little girl! They were dynamic and fun on stage. But I did think of them as actors who were playing the part of musicians. To me, their albums were soundtracks, not works of art. We could sing and dance to the music. A good cardio workout. Unlike present day kids who sit in front of a monitor and press buttons on a computer keyboard while drinking heavily sugared sodas. My mom also promised I could see the Beatles when I was 12. But they released Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. No more touring. I think it was the only promise she ever broke! Still a big regret.. thanks Fil for this walk down memory lane. Oh, I did see Mickey and Davy tour as The Monkees in the 1990’s. They did a great job and the concert was still a fun experience. ❤️
In the mid-1960s, The Monkees were all the rage with hits like, "I'm a Believer," "Last Train to Clarksville," “Steppen’ Stone” and "Pleasant Valley Sunday." Following their Emmy Award-winning television show about a fictitious rock band living on the beach, the four actors/musicians actually went out on the road and toured to thousands of screaming fans. In the beginning, The Jimi Hendrix Experience opened for them. Jimi. He was on stage singing, "Purple Haze, all in my brain," and the crowd was chanting, "We want Davy [Jones], we want The Monkees!" It was very embarrassing. (As told in an interview by MICKY DOLENZ of the MONKEES.)
You’re right.... starting off as a made-up, commercial thing to appear as a band for a TV show, then to begin to practice and improve on their musicianship is fantastic.. you’re correct as well that there is no fakery involved in what we see hear... they truly are really great being able to excellently play this hit song where originally others were playing the instruments... awesome analyses... thank you so much
From the beginning you could really see Nesmith's talent as a songwriter. Tork played several instruments. People forget the fact that they didn't play their own instruments in the beginning because Kirshner wouldn't let them. Nez was a revolutionary. This performance just shows that these guys were fully capable of playing their own instruments
Agreed, Kirshner was in control, until he wasn't, though Nesmith negotiated rights to have his songs on albums Papa Gene's Blues, collaboration Sweet Young Thing, with was totally twangy). Nesmith wrote Different Drum, sung by the Stone Poneys, and was at the forefront of the Country-Pop movement, perhaps he was inspired by fellow Texan, Roy Orbison. He was certainly either a contemporary or pre dated the country works of the Byrds and Graham Parsons. Tork was an accomplished musician in his own right, playing multiple instruments, and friend of Byrds' member Stephen Stills. His banjo work on Mike Nesmith's composition, You Told Me is fantastic, and really sets the tone for the record, Headquarters, where the band members played throughout, with some additional help (Chip on bass, as usual and his recording or engineering, and a few others). I read somewhere that Mickey played guitar but was last man out, and was put on drums as a singing drummer, which he did well. If he had no drumming abilities, he really pulled through. His voice is unique and well suited to their music, as was Davy's. The bands in the day relied heavily on the Wrecking Crew.
@@babagyoza I agree, although I really think Davey had the best voice. Mickey's voice was good, but a little whiney sometimes. Mike had a good country voice, but Davey's voice was more versatile. Peter's vocals left a lot to be desired. Thats all I will say
@@babagyoza And Kirshner did a fantastic job of understanding what would be a hit, where to get the good writers, and putting it together with the studio musicians, but he completely failed to see the direction music was going. Yes the song "Sugar Sugar" was a big hit for the studio musicians performing as The Archie's, but you don't see much more from him other than that and it was just bubblegum music. The Monkee LPs had plenty of bubble gum too, but those weren't what rose up the charts and really powered album sales. Additionally, some of those Nesmith tunes held up very well. The band members were also socializing with musician who were really in the thick of it. Having Frank Zappa on the show and Hendrix opening on tour were a far cry from Kirshner's vision for the music, but show that others involved understood the direction things were really going.
Studio time cost money, and studio musicians were commonly used to record albums because they knew what recording engineers were asking for. No shame in that.
Great analysis! I was 8 years old living in a tiny town in the foothills of Northern California gold rush country when their show first aired. We had two tv channels on a good day, reception was terrible because of the mountains but this show was the most wonderful thing I’d ever seen in my life. The expression you have while watching the musicians on the videos makes me feel that all is right in the world😊
Another excellent episode, Fil. Your selections are eclectic, unexpected & never boring. Nice to see your appreciation of different genres of music, plus your research and analysis is always spot on. Thanks so much. It's much appreciated!
And don’t forget ‘these days’ also = AUTUNE 100 so most nothing is ‘real’ Great breakdown of how these cats deserved respect from day one, all they brought was joy to millions again and again
Mickey Dolenz had a great singing voice as well as great stage presence. Peter Tork was a multi-instrumentalist who started out on banjo (hence his picking style in the video - it is banjo picking), but was solid on acoustic and electric guitar as well as being solid on keyboards and learned bass during the show's run. Davey Jones had a great voice and a stage presence honed on the English stage. But he didn't play an instrument. Mike Nesmith (who passed away today) was a skilled guitarist and songwriter who fought long and hard with their management to let them play on their own albums, and let them write their own material. My favourite Mike Nesmith story is one that's been corroborated by Mickey Dolenz and Davey Jones. During a very tense and contentious meeting with Don Kirshner about letting the guys write and play their own songs Nesmith smashed his fist through a wall, and turning to Kirshner said "That could have been your f***ing face!" before leaving. Kirshner was fired and the band was allowed to do their thing. RIP Woolhat!
You know how much stage work Jones did? Almost none. A little more on an early British soap opera but a thespian? NO, you don't know what you're writing about.
Davey Jones could play drums. He was set up originally as the "front man", but after hearing Micky sing, they had already committed him to drums but really could see HIM as the main singer. I heard Micky tell this story.
I saw the Monkees as a teenager in Des Moines, Iowa in the 60s. They filled the autitorium and they were still on the TV sho at the time. As far as I could tell as a young teenager and not yet had played in a band myself, they were playing their own instruments. The complaint was certainly out in the gossip at that time that they didn't. I do remember them pausing to let everyone with their flashbulbs in their Kodak cameras to click on the count of 3 so everyone in the house could get a nice bright photo of them. lol! Thanks, great video again!
I was 7 years old when they started on tv. I didn’t watch them until the 70s. I remember a bunch of us girls practicing their famous walk! As an adult I was lucky to see them live at a concert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I remember reading about the flack they took for not being a real band, but instead of letting that get to them, they did something about it. They practiced with the instruments to become a real band. Hats off to them! The media can no longer bash them about their playing.
I was only 10 years old when The Monkees debuted on tv in 1966. I thought they were the best thing ever at that age. Huge record sales in 66 and 67. Four consecutive #1 albums and a string of huge singles including 3 #1s. As for their musical ability..Mike Nesmith was an accomplished songwriter and guitarist. Peter Tork a multitalented musician playing guitar, piano and saxophone. Vocally they blended beautifully. The show was brilliant in many ways..an off the wall mix of ridiculous entertaining funny stuff with their music included in it. I loved it as a boy. In spite of what people may say.. they definitely left their mark in musical history. Part of what made me want to be a musician at 10 years old. Great trip back into my past Fil! Thanks for the great analysis. 😎🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦🇨🇦
"Headquarters" was the album where the boys actually wrote and played everything. Zappa was a big fan of what they were trying to accomplish. Their movie "Head" is awesomely awful and a must-see for anyone who wants to know what was going on in the Monkees minds.
HALF the tracks on the Monkees' HEADQUARTERS album were written by the Monkees, mostly by Nesmith. Interestingly, "For Pete's Sake," which became the closing theme of the TV show, was cowritten by Peter Tork. They could write a few good songs, but not consistently at the level of Boyce & Hart or other Tinpan Alley composers. Consequently HEADQUARTERS I would say is the weakest of the Monkees' albums. I have always considered the next album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Jones, where they did not write nearly as much of the material, to be their best.
I met these guys shortly before Davy Jones died. Mickey struck up a conversation with me while waiting for Peter and Davy who were getting directions for something. Very down to earth and super friendly. So few musicians have been so pleasant.
They were never faking it like Milli Vanilli, there was just no interest in their abilities. The network wanted them as actor-comedians, not musicians but they actually hired both. Very simple.
yep - when most people say "they dont sing"/"dont play"; generally it refers to their starting days, and refers to "not professionally". Obviously if they were terrible/hadn't handled an instrument they wouldn't be able to fake it at all.
Peter and his family were the nicest people. I really enjoyed going over his house in Connecticut in the 60s. Instruments all over the place. I know he played for sure. He taught at my sisters school too. Davy was very nice too. Met him twice when I lived in Manchester UK. I miss them and the better days. Thanks Fil. Loved this.
I met Davy three times in person. He proved himself to be a kind genuine man who obviously loved his fans. I was shocked and heartbroken when I learned about his death. RIP Davy and Peter.
Stumbled upon this video. I'm 65 so I was 11 when the show came out. I've seen them in concert 3 times. Once at the Cow Palace at the height of the madness, once at the Oakland Colosseum when the popularity was waning, and again saw Mickey, and Peter about 3 years ago. This was very interesting as I did know some of it, but a lot of the info was new to me.
The fact that four talented young actors/musicians were cast in a television show and that their initial success was somewhat contrived... i.e. their songs composed, arranged and performed by other studio musicians, does not negate how wonderful this music was or how truly gifted the Monkees were. Many popular acts throughout music history were developed in much the same way. Bands or musicians that develop purely organically are actually rare in the modern music industry. Even the Beatles were groomed by George Martin and although they were exceptionally talented songwriters and musicians, the finished albums we all love and respect were certainly impacted by production, arranging and musicianship beyond their immediate abilities in the beginning. Considering that the Monkees eventually were capable of supporting their own live performances actually shows tremendous talent and growth as individual artists and as a group... beyond this... the music is still such a treasure!
From "yeah yeah yeah" to "no no no". You think this was planned? Brilliant! The very first time I heard this song was in my parents car on our local AM radio station. Mom was giving me a lift to my first day of sixth grade. This was the first week September 1966. At first I thought it might be the Beatles. To me it sounded like Paperback Writer. All summer before this, Paperback Writer got a lot of airplay on the radio. When the Monkee's show had aired that following week, other school kids said the Beatles are finished and Monkees now ruled. I told them they were crazy and that the Monkees' is just a TV show. What do kids know eh? LOL Love your channel Thanks! :)
Peter Tork was a pretty great musician. You should check out his group, "Shoe Suede Blues". They did a lot of standard stuff, but they also stretched out a bit. RIP Davy and Peter
Peter, like many rock stars in the 60s, lived in Laurel Cyn and reportedly threw some legendary parties. Mama Cass was known to distribute joints. Peter was avowed nudist and his lifestyle was readily apparent If one visited.
Magnificent Failure Yes, but what everybody missed BEFORE Laurel Canyon and the Monkees, Peter Tork was a well established musician in the Greenwich Village folk music scene. Peter could play about 15 different instruments.
@@JannaBrewer I think you were replying to Patrick Oh!. :) I would love to get my hands on any recordings of Peter back in the Village days. I was a member of the fan club for years. When Peter died I had to dial it back for a while. It takes me some time to get used to the idea of a world without my idols. I would think I'd be used to it by now.
I thoroughly enjoyed this… And I thought it was so cute that little child up in the isle of the seats in the audience dancing all around to the music… Too cute thank you for sharing
Mickey was very talented actor. I had not known he was such a good singer until the Monkees came on TV. And I agree their hit song were tremendous and in my area were played so much and their music loved. I still listen to their music today. Thank you for your history lesson and analysis.
Although it was reported Stills was refused the job because of his missing tooth and receding hairline ("they would have fixed that stuff") he says he wasn't interested once he was told the producers would own full rights to any of his music used by the show.
Add Harry Nilsson to the Monkees audition list. I think he would have been great! Nilsson made his first sale of a song to the Monkees. (Cuddley Toy... great song, comforting a girl after a one-night stand. ( "You're not the only choo choo train, to be left out in the rain, the day after Santa came... la la la) As for the Monkees - It is amazing how fresh and clean the songs have remained after all these years. My inner 13 year old still comes alive at the sound.
FYI...Stills Young and Dewy Marten, Drummer, From Buffalo Springfield, Played on a lot of Monkees songs. Stills and Dewy Marten are playing on most of Peters recordings including both songs on HEAD and all of the songs later released on Missing Links. Neil Young is on As We Go Along playing acoustic along with Ry Cooder. Neil is playing electric lead guitar on You And I from Instant Replay, a Davy song, and on several other songs that were released on Missing links and as bonus cuts on box sets. Glen Campbell plays on every Mike Nesmith song from the first two albums and on Nesmith tracks on Missing Links. The session band from Nashville, Area Code 615, backed Michael Nesmith on a full album worth of tracks of which only two, Listen to the Band and Good Clean fun, ever were released, both as singles and album tracks from the last two albums Mike played on. Now...Buddy Miles, one of the greatest drummers of All Time was a friend of Peters and played on a huge amount of tracks mostly from Birds And The Bees forward and he met Jimi Hendrix when Jimi was the opening act for the Monkees on their 1967 live tour. Buddy can be seen playing with The Monkees in the video from their TV special 33 & 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee. Buddy and Jimi were often at Peters house and joined to form the Band of Gypsies. Crosby, Stills and Nash often Jammed at Peters. The Monkees were pivotal to the West Coast musical thing that happened between 1965 and 1969, without them Country Rock would not have happened, Nesmith was doing that before the Eagles ever were a band. Nesmith wrote Different Drum for Linda Ronstadt before the Monkees, in fact Don Kirshner turned it down because he didn't think it was commercial enough to make money. Without the Monkees CS&N and CSN&Y might not have happened. The Monkees were AS important to American music of the sixties as The Beatles were to English music of the sixties, in fact Peter recorded for George Harrison on his Wonderwall Music album in 1968. Michael stayed with John Lennon in 1967 and can be seen in a promo clip for A Day In The Life. There are many pictures of Micky with Paul so, in fact The Monkees really became America's Beatles and they deserved it.
I'M GLAD YOU SCRUTINIZED THIS; I'M 1958, BIRTHED IN PUERTO RICO, THOUGH TAUGHT ENGLISH NOT KNOWING THE LANGUAGE, BUT ENJOYED THEIR STRANGE WORDS & SOUNDS, MUSIC; THANK YOU FOR YOUR HONEST INSIGHT!!!
I met Davy after a concert, he was super nice to everyone who lined up to see him. He took a moment to have a brief conversation. I was star struck and he was so kind.
Hi Fil! Just discovered your analysis and love it! I want to thank you for discussing them and giving them the credit they richly deserve. As a fan since 1967 at six yrs old I ask you and your friends to keep their music and memory alive when my generation is gone. ✌️
Mike and Peter were working musicians before auditioning. Didn't know that Davy played drums although he did "play" drums during a song or two in a couple of episodes. Mike Nesmith said Peter could play he and lots of other musicians off the park and could play a number of instruments. I am a fan of the group but I really like Mike Nesmith's solo albums and songs. I once saw Mike in concert and it was great.
OK I’m gonna confess. When these guys came out on TV I was around 11. I LOVED the show and threatened my little brother with bodily harm if he came into the room when it was on. I had a mad teenybopper crush on Mickey and had posters of him all over my room. Mercy I’m old. But I loved them and it was great to hear they were eventually appreciated for their music. Thanks
I LOVED their show, also, watching reruns in the early 70s. I have had a CRUSH on Davy since those days. 😍❤ I STILL LOVE their music just as much today, and I'm never ashamed or hesitant to list them as one of my favorite groups, after The Beatles. I don't know if The Monkees can be beat when it comes to HAPPY music!! 💟 No one has ever remained in my heart as long as Davy, with the only exception of Elvis.
Thank you, Fil! I was only 5 years old when I watched the Monkees back in the 60's and I crushed on all of the guys! Lol. They were my Saturday morning life. 😚
Loved them then, love them now. Still have the 2nd album 50+ years later. I admire them tremendously; they are the Velveteen Rabbit of rock bands - they were loved so much they became real.
I was literally 2 years old when they aired. I grew up loving the show and music. With the loss of Davy, Peter and Mike I've been feeling as if I've lost family. I saw them both in 86 and 96. Mike hadn't been on stage with them but it brought me back to my childhood. My youngest son was 4 when we went to the 96 concert. He had seen the videos of the series with me and tried to go up on stage saying "it's ok. They know me".
Super underrated musicians and singers. They never got recognized the way they should have. But in the end they lasted longer than most bands. Their songs are great.
I always liked the Monkees. They were on prime time when I was a kid and later I got a Monkees songbook and learned Last Train to Clarksville and Stepping Stone. My band went on to perform Stepping Stone and it always went over well. We used to tease it by saying our next number is from the band that was so great Jimi Hendrix once warmed up for them. Interesting fact about Last Train to Clarksville; it was written as a protest song to the Vietnam War. The song is about a guy shipping off and he wants to see his girlfriend one more time because he doesn't think he's going to make it back. They didn't mention that it was a protest song at the time because they didn't want to rock the boat at NBC. There is also a story out there that the Monkees sold more records than the Beatles and Rolling Stones combined in 1967. In an interview in 2015 Michael Nesmith claimed he made that up. He said he told a reporter in Australia that the band had sold 35 million records in 67, twice as many as the Beatles and Stones combined but he said he just pulled that number out of the air and lied about outselling the Beatles and the Stones just to see if he would print it, which he did. If you Google it today you will still find it being stated as fact. Now, I don't know how much weight to give any statement by Michael regarding the band. He had a stormy relationship with the studio and didn't like the arrangement right off the bat. He wanted them to play on their records and to have control over the music. He only appeared with them occasionally in later years and I guess he had a bit of a rocky relationship with Peter Tork. So, did he say he lied in 67 just to add fire to the already contentious relationship he had with the Monkees? We may never know. But if if it is true that he made it up it goes to show how myth becomes fact if it's repeated enough. Anyway, thanks for reviewing a band from my childhood who, if nothing else, brought us laughs in primetime and syndication.
I was privileged to produce the solo project by Micky Dolenz, "Remember." The core of that entire album is Micky's musicality. It didn't take us long to realize we didn't need any backing vocalists...Micky sang ALL vocals on every song...harmonies, counterpoint, everything! We recorded his vocals in my studio. While tracking, there were several times I would hear THAT VOICE and flash back to watching the show as a kid! Micky's work ethic was stellar and I must say, we had so much fun throughout the project. Thanks for creating this video and your comments on the genuine talents of The Monkees.
Well that is a very interesting story. Thank you for that. I was a Mickey fan because I had loyalty to him from watching Circus Boy. I always liked his face. I still do. They were all great though. Look at how much effort Davey puts in for example and just love that beautiful song Joanne by Michael. Anyway here I am after all these years, still a Mickey fan. Only one left, God love him.
I've long been a Monkees fan. My favorite song of theirs is Daydream Believer. What others think matters not.
@@tracyanne8616 What? Circus Boy? I forgot all about that and loved that show. And I never connected him with The Monkees! Loved The Monkees, too. Great show - such fun!
I love that album. I also love the theme/idea behind the songs. All of his solo stuff is great, and he's had a phenomenal career. So did Mike. I had tickets to two of their concerts when they were here in Seattle. Unfortunately, after purchasing the tickets and arranging for time off of work, I ended up in the hospital BOTH times, so I couldn't go to either of them. My brother went and was able to (easily) find someone to take my place. I figured someone else should enjoy them even though I was devastated. I do have the cd for the Mike and Micky show, but it would have been great to see that one in person (but the pandemic hit). I have always loved, respected and enjoyed the Monkees and their music.
As a kid I always loved Micky Dolenz the best. Everyone was a Davey fan, not me. They were all very talented.
50% of the joy of these videos is watching you smiling
Micky has an incredible voice. He said he got the job because he could scream on key. They were the best.
The Monkees have gotten a raw deal their entire career. They could play, Davy was a drummer and Micky played guitar but the producers wanted Davy out front. Davy also could play bass, he had a short scale. Mike Nesmith was a pioneer with country rock and you can hear it on the albums. The establishment were against them because they had instant hits because of the TV show. I think these guys deserve to be in the Hall of Fame! The album Headquarters was just them, no one else. The Monkees have had a longer tenure than most of the haters and naysayers that dismissed them as the prefab four.
"the establishment"
lol ok
davy jones was no more a drummer than dolenz was a guitarist, they had virtually no musical ability for studio recording however they proved to be capable players on tour
Lots of haters because of their success. Lennon loved the show and told Nesmith they were the greatest comedy act after the Marx Brothers.
@@thomaskay779 Tork and nesmith were musician long before the monikers were formed. Tork was playing w Steven stills in NY
Studio musicians were used for almost every recording artist in those days. Beach Boys used the same guys. The Monkees were made for tv and therefore got outed when they had so much success right off the bat. They played on tour. Hell today performers almost all use pre recorded tracks on stage, some can't even sing live and either sync it or now can use autotune in real-time .
I saw the Monkees live in Feb 1967 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. No extra musicians - no backing tracks - no autotune (which, of course, didn't exist at the time) - and yes, they could play and were great live.
OMG that is so cool, you are so lucky to have seen them 👍👍👍👍👍
Quick correction - it was actually April - I remember it as being earlier in the year because we had to drive through a pretty serious blizzard to get there from Grand Forks, ND - but that's the glory of growing up in the Great Northwest!
Friend of mine had a bar in Central Jersey in New Brunswick call Patrick's and would hire National Acts and one of them was I believe it was Michael Nesmith and I think Peter Tork also
Saw them at the Empire Pool, Wembley , London, around 67/68. We sat in the balcony seats just above and behind them, and they had big Vox Beatle-Amps, and the same instruments, played by the same people as on the TV shows.There were no other musicians on stage as I remember.
The sound was the same as on their records. They got that huge lump of concrete rocking with their efforts, plus all the stamping and screaming from the audience, and it was truly a night to remember.
As I was in a bit of a band myself then, I can say that their stuff only looks easy, because they made it look that way.
@@ianbaxter8299 Thanks Ian , I bet that was awesome,👍👍👍
Many of the top songs by the Monkees in the 60's STILL sound good today, 55 years later. Pleasant Valley Sunday and Last Train to Clarksville are just two of them. They are classics. The Monkees provided excellent vocals.
Driving down to Florida from the midwest, driving through Clarksville TN, it's hard not to start singing!
PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY, Well that’s a song ! And so true
love the twangy sound of the way they played the electric guitar per the 1960s rock tunes - so deliciously retro sounding!
Nothing fake about Dolenz's voice. That bit at the end of Mary Mary, where he slides up an octave on the outro, is damned impressive.
His performance on their song "Goin' Down" is PHENOMENAL!! Really no other word for it, I don't know who could do it today.
@@widowrumstrypze9705 I was listening to Goin Down the other day and it reminded me how impressive Micky's voice really was.
Not sure if it’s true or not but I read that Mike was going to be the lead singer but as soon as Micky sang he wanted Micky to be lead. Anyone know if this is right?
I was 9 years old and in grade school in the later sixties and I wanted to be Mrs Mickey Dolenz so bad! Too bad this show was only on 2 seasons.
Yes!
All four of them absolutely deserve to be recognised for their talent - and the fun, laughter & great music they brought into the lives of so many people. Thanks for doing this ❤🙏❤
I appreciate HOW MUCH you were smiling and obviously enjoying the video!! This is VERY HAPPY music, which we REALLY NEED at the moment. I LOVED this group and the tv show in my childhood, and have NEVER tired of their music. They had true chemistry, just magic, in my opinion. The silliness, fun songs, DAVEY JONES AND HIS DANCE MOVES, etc. made a SWEET and DREAMY tv show for MANY, MANY young girls like me!!💕💕
I have nothing but love and respect for these guys!!!!
Agreed 😁✌💕
LOL I heard Davy say that one of his daughters made fun of his dance moves when they saw the reruns!
This "VERY HAPPY music" is about a guy who wants to see his girlfriend one last time, because he's been drafted into the military, is heading to Vietnam to fight a war, and he "don't know if he's ever comin' home"
@@ItsVideos They took a serious subject and threw their Monkees charm and energy into it, through and through.
Not too many sad Monkees fans when we listen to their music.
@@cannacliffords7462Most family members would kid another family member in these circumstances and inside be thrilled .
Today is the passing of Mike Nesmith, Rest in Peace. December 11, 2021. I grew up watching and listening to their music and TV show. I think, in some ways, they were so underrated at the time. I'd like to think now that their music is much more appreciated as time goes by. This clip was a great performance! Each of the Monkees were talented and special in their own right.
Mickey is the only one still alive
Great and underrated guitarist. Wow what a legacy Mike Nesmith left behind.
I didn't hear that Mike had died. That makes me sad.
Back in 1968 I thought I was a Monkee. I even toured the back yard, the neighborhood and my church. They didn’t like my heartfelt rendition of “Hey, Hey We’re the Monkees.” Good times. I was 5.
The Monkees were and still are one of my favorite bands. Doesn't matter what anyone says. Daydream Believer is one of the greatest songs of all time.
Daydream Believer is just awesome. I loved the Monkees and still do. The TV show was innovative and funny, and I would watch it today over most modern comedies. And all were talented singers and musicians. They didn't get the respect they all deserved.
And the movie, Shrek, even does a cover of the song!
Pat McCoy shrek has a cover of i’m a believer ;)
Yeah, John Stewart wrote a great song.
@@americanpancakelive Yea, Frank Sinatra never wrote nothing. Either did Elvis.
If you dismiss the Monkees because of the Wrecking Crew, you would have to also dismiss the Mamas and Papas, the Beach Boys, the Byrds and a hundred other acts.
Including the Beatles.
The song "Yesterday" was written and sung by Paul McCartney. No other Beatles voices or instruments are on the song. I wonder if Paul even played an instrument on that one.
The song "For No One" written and sung by Paul McCartney. No other Beatles are on the song. Heck I don't even think PM was playing any instruments in this song. They hired out the help.
Eleanor Rigby
and The Beatles song A Day in the Life... Heck they hired a whole orchestra for that song.
EXACTLY!!!!
@@im1who84u McCartney played acoustic guitar on Yesterday. On For No One, McCartney played piano and Ringo played drums.
@van wray Was the origin of The Beatles "organic"? Bon Jovi? These were people brought together by someone else. If you're going to criticize how a band formed then there is no limit to the number of bands out there that are "inorganic".
@@Doormanswift No one brought the Beatles together except John meeting Paul, and Paul bringing in George. Ringo was brought in when they started recording, due to Pete Best not being up to the job, but Ringo was not some hired studio player, but someone who had been on the scene for years, that they all knew and liked. "Organic" refers to bands who bring themselves together. If some managing, producing, or recording company or person brings a bunch of strangers together to record, that is not "organic".
I think the greatest story about The Monkees is the fact that they actually became the band that they were portraying on television. Two actors were starting to develop musical skills and two musicians were starting to develop more acting skills, plus they learned from each other. When they were given the right to compose, arrange, and perform their own music it resulted in their greatest album, Headquarters. That was all the proof they needed.
headquarters is a great album I agree but its not my favorite by them, pisces is far more interesting , but its a fine album
@@thomaskay779 I put Pisces in the same classification, but Headquarters was their best as far as being an album of which they took total control over all aspects of it. I love Pisces, it's definitely one of my favorites, but they use a lot more outside help and there are only three original songs on there.
Justus is their best album for me. They did it all, in front of the camera and the mixing and everything.
Peter Tork was asked to come to his first Monkee's recording session, he showed up with his guitar. The producers asked him what he was doing with that. He responded that he was there to play. They told him: " No, we just want your voices." Peter said: "The music was already done, I just had to sit there & watch Micky sing over the track." Peter could play guitar, keys, & banjo.
Mickey Dolenz had a fantastic voice and Peter Tork actually played keyboard for Stephen Stills for a while and it was Stills that put him up for the job on the Monkees TV show. R.I.P. Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith. Lets hope Mickey Dolenz has a good few years left in him. Their songs were fantastic.
Stephen auditioned for the part but didn't get it because of his snaggle tooth! So he sent Peter to the audition and the rest is, as they say, musical history!
AND they sang all the vocals without the “benefits” of auto tune, that so many so-called “artists” rely on today.
I'm one of those who loved the Monkees more than the Beatles.... I know I get flack for that, but I grew up more on The Monkees and they were a large part of my life. I commend them for embracing the music that was part of the TV show. I'm blessed to have seen them two separate times and there was no doubt they played and played with heart. I wish Mike could have been a part of this performance! Mike and Micky were always my favorites of the group. I agree I always loved Nesmith's writing the best out of all their songs.
If you threw George in with the Monkees the Beatles would be meaningless to me
I was lucky enough to see Micky and Michael in Chicago Sept 2021. It was very memorable, especially now with Mike having passed away. Rip dear Monkee.
oh boy… you clearly don’t have a
musical mind
Me too! I'm actually not a Beatles fan (shhhhhh!) but can appreciate the talent. I get flack, too!
I saw an interview with Mickey once. He went for the tryouts and was hired that day and was told he would play drums. Micky said he told them he doesn't play drums he plays guitar. Dude told Mickey that he was overwhelmed with guitar players, if he wants the job he plays drums. So Mickey learned to play drums , and you all know the rest. This information came straight from Mickey. Thanks Brothers and Sisters Keep Rocking.
Brother Gary
But he didn't play drums on their songs until the last few albums. He learned enough to fake it.
Sell out.
He took lessons from Earl Palmer and Hal Blaine, and said, they could play that stuff blindfolded with one arm.
@@Johnny-lr5jt An actor learning to play their part is not a sell out. He was an actor who had already starred in his own show. He played guitar but his career was acting.
Thanks so much for this one. I ran the Monkees fan club from 1979 to 1982 and met them many times. I miss Davy, Peter and Mike so much and have been seeing Micky touring the US last year and this year. Love all of these videos and will eventually watch them all.
Very cool!!!
That's great - on British TV the show was repeated in the early '80s, and being a kid and it being so colourful, I thought it was a new show! I wanted to be Peter Tork and my brother wanted to be Mike (he even got the hat) :D I've been a big fan of the music since then.
PS: Mickey Dolenz is a *huge* supporter and aficionado of FermiLab here in Illinois. While he's not a degreed astrophysicist like Brian May, the scientists here at Fermilab are amazed and flabbergasted at Mickey's questions and interest in the operations. The staff loves when Mickey comes to visit :)
LiLSuzQ32 I sat next to him at a Rod Stewart show. He was super nice.
Mickey has always been my favorite Monkee. He is definitely a class act.
I used to watch him on Saturday morning TV, when he was 'Circus Boy.' The guy's had a real interesting life, no doubt about it.
@@watzup62 I always liked watching Circus Boy with Micky dolenz back in I guess what was it the early sixties Maybe and yeah I just enjoyed that as a kid
I would love to see him...in in Chicago
Everyone made fun of them in the beginning, They sure proved themselves to be good, fun musicians. They always made me smile. Sad that Davey and Peter died young. Thanks, Fil.
And now Michael has departed the earth as well. RIP Michael and say hi to David and Peter for me.
@ C Anna Cliffords: just finding out about mike by reading your comment. that’s sad news. but mike annoyed me because he wouldn’t rejoin until after davy died.
@steelethescene I actually said exactly that to someone I met at Micky and Mike's farewell tour in September. It was very frustrating.
@@cannacliffords7462 I hadn't heard this, now more tears over this wonderful group. Yeesh. I thought he was well after his surgery.
@@cannacliffords7462 I saw Michael Nesmith and Mickey Dolenz on a talk show. They were discussing their departed bandmates Peter Tork and Davy Jones. Nesmith was explaining that he and Peter Tork simply didn't like each other. They were civil, and Nesmith said by all indications Tork was perfectly nice man, but their personalities clashed somehow. But he said, despite all that, when he heard the news that Peter had passed away ... at that point Nesmith burst into tears and couldn't continue the story. It was quite touching. He may not have been fond of Peter Tork, but he still loved him.
Mackey Dokenz is underrated. He has one of the best pop Rick voices. Very effortless.
Nothing better than a band that was fun. And the monkees were tops in fun.
Love your analyses of old music.
Loved the monkey s
I saw Peter and Micky in an interview on MTV in the 80's and they described the Monkees in a really succinct way. There were two musicians with acting sensibilities and two actors with musical sensibilities and then they helped each other to balance everything out. This is how they pulled it off so successfully.
I played bass for years before I felt comfortable singing at the same time. We showed up at a gig and our lead singer was a no show. I was the only one who knew all the songs, I've always had a git for remembering lyrics, so I had to do most of the singing. Talk about a trial by fire.
The Monkees were made up of four very talented guys. They far outlived their TV show. Acting in that show made it pretty impossible to play on their own records very much. Not enough hours in the day. However, their Headquarters LP was not too shabby. Loved it and the story behind it. But also loved Justus the only other album of just them playing and singing. They were all great performers, great song writers and Peter was a singer/songwriter/musician who just got better with age. I heard him play and sing many times live and it was wonderful. Monkee live shows were always a treat as well. And they were really nice guys to meet in person. Thanks for taking the time to review this performance. Loved your input and observations.
Justus is my favorite. They also did the behind the scenes work putting it together
They were accomplished musicians and singers!
Does anyone else remember when Marsha met Davey after she invited him to play at her HS? Oy, I just aged myself. lol!
aileen burke Oy...you just ages me!
I remember! (sigh)
Or when Davey appeared on The New Scooby Doo Movies.
~ Girl Thanking you for making the morning brighter ~ Girl Thank you for making the night time nicer ~Girl~ It's been a while since i seen that Brady episode but i remember the song Girl ,was it on the Brady bunch or was it a Monkees episode when they looked at Davey he had a twinkle-sparkle special effects added to his eyes? My little sister always said Davy Jones was super dreamy
Loved that episode
My parents used to let me stay up 'late' to watch "The Monkees" on TV when I was 7 or 8 yrs old. It was such a different era....mailing off camera film to be developed and then having to wait 2 weeks to get photos back...sitting next to the transistor radio with your cassette deck waiting to record a new song...anxiously awaiting Monday nights to see the Monkees. Its nice to have UA-cam and Spotify but young people will never fully understand the excitement and anticipation of seeing bands/musicians on TV in decades gone by...because that was the only place you could see them. Thanks, Fil.
Yes. There was something about waiting a week to see your favorite show. Also, I remember joining the scholastic book club in elementary school. I'd mail in my order with a check and wait for my books to arrive. The feeling I got when the package arrived and opening it up and seeing the new books was wonderful. Then after reading them I'd place a new order and go through it all again. Nowadays everything is immediate. That feeling of anticipation taught me to appreciate all that I got. I still do.
As for the Monkees, I loved them! I would switch my crushes from Davey to Peter to Mickey and back.
Friday night, in from school and the Monkees, Captain Scarlet and the Banana Splits to look forward to.
@@jinkertsun - Yeah I watched the Banana Splits too, as well as HR Puff and Stuff, and listened to Puff the Magic Dragon at Kindergarten Pre- School.
Chris Grayling weird. They were always Saturday morning where I was
I am from south germany and even on german tv we could watch the monkees tv show. It was just crazy, I was maybe 7 years old. And yes I can remember the times "sitting next to the transistor radio with your cassette deck waiting to record a new song..".
The Times They Are A Changin'.
The best part of your analysis, is the smile you have on your face when your listening to an artist play
Mike Nesmith is an accomplished musician. He even wrote some of their music. He wrote "Different Drum" sung by Linda Ronstadt.
Oops….I didn’t read far enough before making a similar comment. ☺️
mikes not here but yes he and pete were actual musicians. davy was a decent drummer and it turned out mickey had the chops to be the voice of the monkee's
Really. Great song Did not know Mike wrote
And his mother invented Liquid Paper.
He never wrote any of their music that was commercially successful or popular though. That was Boyce & Hart, Kirshner, Messrs. Shelton and the Wrecking Crew I'm afraid. Every time you heard Clarksville on their show, you were listening to a very accomplished group of studio musicians, not Mike, Peter, Micky or Davy. Micky could even keep time. Mike and Peter were the only ones who had any semblance of a musical background, but not to the level of proficiency to perform their recordings, sorry. Louie Shelton had 3 guitar players, himself included, to play Clarksville and its famous guitar solo part in the middle. No shame on Michael or Peter for that. They were just over-matched.
Peter Tork was a fantastic banjo player. Hence the accomplished finger picking.
Excellent point. Peter played about five or six instruments--banjo, guitar, bass, French horn and piano and harpsichord.
Fantastic?
Yes, Kiddle. He was fantastic on the banjo.
Oh, Moves, Pete could absolutely burn a banjo to the nubs! And he was a good bass and keyboards man.
Peter was a better keyboard player than Mike. Peter played everything. Mike is more comfortable on guitar
Think of the grind and enormous pressure and requirements of a band that had to film a tv series, go on tour around the world, and be in the studio whenever necessary to record albums and singles, all the while, trying to gel and grow as a tv cast and an actual band !! NOBODY else had to or could've done this ! And by the way, as ,many of you know, a lot of so called "legitimate" bands had LOTS of studio musicians playing on their records, but fans knew nothing of this, while the Monkees were roasted for being "fake". It's a wonder they even lasted as long as they did in their initial incarnation. Thanks Fil !
Well said!
Beatles were treated even worse, and it destroyed them
Spot on, mate!
In those days, it was expensive to film bands.
So they couldn't afford to have mistakes and waste film.
This is why they mimed to a studio track.
And concert bands will do the same thing. In order to guarantee a flawless performance night after night, the music (some or all) may be prerecorded, and then band is playing along, but the audience hears the recording, not the band.
Consider the pressure on the singers for instance, performing several times a week for almost a year. The vocal chords are not really evolved for that.
I saw this when I was 15 and saw Queen live in Dallas.
During the 'Bohemian Rhapsody', the lights on stage were dimmed until the stage was pitch black. Then a mistake was made a minute later and the lights came back on. The band was not on the stage, but the music was still playing. And the band rushed back onstage, grabbing guitars from the stands, and resuming the performance.
Great call. I met two of them. Nicest people.
In 66, Peter played five instruments. He later learned all orchestra instruments plus instruments from other countries and composed at least one concerto. Micky was a classical guitarist. Once he realized he could girls singing pop songs he made the switch and started a band, the Missing Links. He was cast as the drummer. David and Peter taught him to play drums.
I have rarely seen anything that joyful! One can tell they were having a BLAST- absolutely jubilant. And I loved the fact that you were appreciating them as a fellow musician. Just wonderful! Thank you!
Another underrated band! These guys were great! Love the song “Pleasant Valley Sunday”. It’s my favorite one.
Great analysis video Fil! As always. ❤️🤘🏼
yeaop, I see a functioning band that sounds great! Even on their show 'The Monkees' and on their albums they did all the singing, which obviously was very professional.
"these guys" were NOT a Band,they were stars in a TV show that sold records.
Carole King's original demo for Pleasant Valley Sunday is on youtube. I love it too.
The Monkee's were good musicians and they had great song writers. Neil Diamond, Carol King, Boyce and Hart, Neil Sedaka, Carol Bayer Sager, Mike Stoller of Leiber and Stoller, all wrote songs for them. Can't get better writers than that.
@@KingNero4444 She was HOT back in the day.
Carol Kaye the the amazing bass player . Check out Peter Gun tv theme and Beach Boys for her pick driven bass grooves .
That's a little over simplified. Their show producers paid for music that was already written, and in some cases already released by the writers themselves or other professional artists. Tin Pan Alley produced lots of great songs for many great artists.
@@gilbertspader7974 I LOVE Carol Kaye
@An Oasis Can And The Beatles.
I saw in an interview that Davy was actually a decent drummer, but he was so short they were afraid he wouldn’t be seen and he was to be the “face” of the Monkees.
Peter played many instruments, Mike was a really good guitar player and Mickey was a guitar player.
And it was Stephen Stills that originally tried out for the Peter role, but the producers thought he looked too old and had bad teeth. He heard them say something to that effect and he said “my roommate looks just like me and can play and sing” and they told Stephen to call him in. Peter Torkelson was his roommate.
Geeking Out! but why would they encourage still to call peter in if he looked just like him since he looked too old & had bad teeth? stills could play & sing too ...
@@steelethescene they wanted good looking, teenage type boys for a tv show. They liked Stills look but Peter looked younger. They didn’t care so much about musicianship as they did looks.
What a great story!
@@steelethescene Stills was doing right by recommending a friend. Peter had tv looks and the same skill set.
Their show was aimed directly to me and my siblings. In 66 we were 7, 6, 5, and 4. I seemed to remember Davey in the forefront more often than not. In hindsight that was probably the fact that he had become a teenage heart throb.
Mickey's daughter Ami went on to become a pretty good actress in her own right.
LOL. I grew up in a little town of 500 in Ohio, Clarksville. There was a train, but it was a freight car, and only stopped to get the corn from the mill. The tracks were torn out a long time ago. So they last train was a long time ago.
Admired the integrity demonstrated by The Monkees in their insistence on becoming "real."
The movie 'HEAD' is a must see for them playing with and then transcending their own pop image.
@@kentwood9821 To bad it was after the show got canceled
Both Peter Tork & Michael Nesmith were underrated songwriters & folk musicians. And Nesmith is the Father of Music Television. Peter was a very personable, intellectual & gentleman.
@@zamiel3 And that it was rated R, so that most of their fan base couldn't get in to see it and could only buy the (excellent) album! Jack Nicholson almost seemed to want to sabotage them...but they didn't think that.
@@mollyfrom5556 No "sabotage" was involved. They were all high and too late to the party.
I remember when MTV actually used to have music related content and would have "Monkees Marathons"..so much fun..we would watch all weekend, staying up and just enjoying wholesome content..
My mom always sang "Daydream Believer" to me as a little girl and as a consequence I've always loved them.
I became interested in the Monkees via the Monkee Marathons. Even though I heard their songs now and then when I was little and of course there was the famous Brady Bunch episode when Davy appeared, those Marathons led to my seeing the Monkees seeing them perform as a trio in concert 9X and Davy perform solo 2X between1986-2011. I first met Davy in March 1988(this was one of 3 times). Being a high senior then, I had THE subject of the week LOL.
I remember going back and forth between MTV and Nickelodeon to watch episodes of The Monkees.
I was introduced to the monkeys via Nickelodeon and Doctor demento!
I forgot which one of them said, "We're actors. Nobody complains that William Shatner isn't a real starship commander."
Probably Mike.
Micky.
Micky said and, "Me being a drummer is like Leonard Nimoy became a Vulcan."
@Cali Girl Lost In Space You've obviously haven't seen many interviews with Micky, post 80s. You can't even spell his name right.
It was Micky Dolenz.
Came of age with the Monkees. Hard to believe Micky is the only surviving member. As it is with the hundreds of great musicians we’ve lost, their music lives on.❤️
I remember watching the TV show in 67. I was three. The next year I noticed they were playing the same videos but with different songs and then all of a sudden I noticed they were doing a commercial for some cereal maybe frosted flakes and Peter wasn't there and they weren't talking about it. And I came to understand the concepts of reruns and things change.
❤❤❤
I saw the Monkee's twice in concert. Once at the Roanoke Civic Center, Va and the other time at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap in Northern Virginia. The fans responded like they were the Beatles with the majority of the fans being in their early-twenties (1990s and early 2000s). They were fabulous in both concerts. I played in bands and we covered from hard rock to top-40 Pop and was blown away by their ease and total performance. Great review.
Just a point of order. They were touring within a month of the release of that first album. They also played the majority of their sets without a backing band. Mickey Dolenz once said in an interview that when he was told he had one the part on the Monkees TV show, the producers told him to go home and practice his playing. So the plan was always for them to be a working band on some level.
One thing we know for a fact: They definitely sang their songs. Mickey and Davy did sing the lead to their hits. For many performers, that's all they do. Yet no one questions those performers who only sing.
I think the "not singing" was that they tended to use studio recording (duh, they were there for tv), and then (like everyone else) use a dub track on the shows/live (for a while)
Mike was also given a token 2 songs per album that he sang. Mike's songs always had a country kind of twang to them. I liked all of his songs, or better, I liked all of the Monkees songs.
"You Just May Be The One" is one great Papa Nez song. One of my favorites.
Micky and Davy have unmistakeable vocals.They sound like their speaking voices.
On their first two albums, the backup singers were not the any of the Monkees, except for a few songs. So it's not completely true that they sang their own songs.
I loved the Monkees as a child and my daughters grew to love them, too. We attended a Monkees concert and one part featured Peter Tork on piano playing a Bach Invention. Pretty impressive!
The musicians that were jealous of The Monkees were actually jealous of the song writers and The Wrecking Crew and didn't know it. They were not Milly Vanilly. Their voices were authentic and so was their personalities as actors.
It had to be invented that way for success. Try to find a good band with all that camera ready appeal. Impossible.
Another good one Fil.
The Wrecking Crew did a lot of studio work for many big groups, not just the Monkees. Beach Boys, Association, Gary Lewis, Mamas and Papas. But the others didn't get the same hassles.
It was envy and jealousy.
Omg I remember cutting the 45 Hey, Hey we're the Monkeys from the back of a cereal box.I think it was Honeycombs.😎💖
Oh my. I had forgotten that. I did as well. And I think you are right about the Honeycombs.
RIP Mike! He wrote several of their songs and, along with Peter Tork, was indeed a real musician.
He wrote none.. Don Kirshner the music producer on the show hire all the best. Their first hit which cant remember which one it was actually came out before the first Monkees tv show
Nesmith doesn't look well here!
@@kevind1931 You are incorrect. You might want to look up Monkees songwriting credits - Mike was writing some of their material from the get go.
@@jonathonjubb6626 Mike isn't there, that's why 😁 Or was that the joke? Sorry if it went over my head 😊
@@phishpot he wrote no e of their hits from the show. His biggest writing credit is Differe t Drum and The Stone Po ys turned into a hit with Linda Rinstadt as their lead singer. You are a dufus for saying he wrote any of the music from the show.
The Monkees were great. They were kids thrown into a tough situation and did a stand up job making the best of it. They did nothing wrong.
Heck. Disney repeats the cycle of taking a young actors/actresses and making them a music star with top level writers and production....over and over.
Before that - Every record company put together a "band" of young guys out of thin air. It was called the 90's. Back Street, N'Sync, 98 degrees, -- Then recreated again in the 2010's with One Direction.
It has become a formula. The Monkees were just the kids who proved it could work.
Saw them as a youngster in 1986 or 87 for the 20th anniversary tour. My first concert....all i remember is having fun.
Ill always have a soft spot for The Monkees.
I think a better example is O town which was all about creating a band for TV show.
Also the first music videos on t.v. . Sorry mtv 😄
Nevermind Disney, record companies do it. Carol Kaye played the guitar on LaBamba uncredited. She's also the bass on countless recordings you've heard. Most bands recorded with session musicians and only played their own instruments on tour. Instruments on the Beach Boys records are also the "Wrecking Crew." (Carol Kaye insists that back in the day they were called the clicque, and the Wrecking Crew name came later.)
@@chartle1 Never heard of O town, so for me, The Monkees are the better example and long before these guys. Did a quick look and all i see is these guys singing-- no instruments? Not very impressed with a lot of these acts today that can't seem to play anything. All they can do is sing!
@@KStewart-th4sk O Town was a boy band created on a MTV reality show called Making the Band in 2000. They held tryouts and then did a sort of bootcamp to weed down to 5 members.
I always liked “What Am I Doing Hangin ‘Round” with Mike Nesmith on lead vocals. That track was from their album “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Jones, LTD.” The song was penned by Owens Castleman and Michael (Martin) Murphey, who had a massive hit with “Wildfire” in 1975. Boyce & Hart and Harry Nilsson also contributed songs on that Monkees album.
One of my favorites as well.
Yes, I agree 💕👍
I'd forgotten about that - it's been so long since I heard it! I think that I'm going to have to go listen and enjoy the music of my childhood, now.
Carole King and Neil Diamond wrote for them too
One of my faves as well.
The Monkees were such a huge part of me wanting to play an instrument. I watched the reruns in the 80's of their tv show and I was hooked. I taped all of the episodes on VHS.
RIP Davy, Peter, and Michael. Thank you for the memories.
"Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones, Ltd" was a MASTERPIECE.
A couple of songs written by Mike Nesmith of the Monkees: Mary, Mary; Listen to the Band and Different Drum made popular by Linda Rondstadt and the Stone Poneys
Sad that Davey Jones and Peter Tork are no longer with us.
My favorite of his is "Papa Genes Blues"
I believe Nesmith also wrote one of their (IMO) very best songs, 'What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?'
His solo record "Joanne" is a great song.
Wow I didn't even know Davey was missing from the lineup do you have any idea what took him?
Patricia Snyder listen to the band is a great track !
August 66...mom said I was too young to go to a Beatle’s concert. I was heartbroken. Fall 1966, The Monkees came on television and my parents watched every episode with me. February/March 1967, mom let me go see the Monkees in concert even though I was still 11. What fun for a little girl! They were dynamic and fun on stage. But I did think of them as actors who were playing the part of musicians. To me, their albums were soundtracks, not works of art. We could sing and dance to the music. A good cardio workout. Unlike present day kids who sit in front of a monitor and press buttons on a computer keyboard while drinking heavily sugared sodas. My mom also promised I could see the Beatles when I was 12. But they released Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. No more touring. I think it was the only promise she ever broke! Still a big regret.. thanks Fil for this walk down memory lane. Oh, I did see Mickey and Davy tour as The Monkees in the 1990’s. They did a great job and the concert was still a fun experience. ❤️
In the mid-1960s, The Monkees were all the rage with hits like, "I'm a Believer," "Last Train to Clarksville," “Steppen’ Stone” and "Pleasant Valley Sunday." Following their Emmy Award-winning television show about a fictitious rock band living on the beach, the four actors/musicians actually went out on the road and toured to thousands of screaming fans. In the beginning, The Jimi Hendrix Experience opened for them.
Jimi. He was on stage singing, "Purple Haze, all in my brain," and the crowd was chanting, "We want Davy [Jones], we want The Monkees!" It was very embarrassing.
(As told in an interview by MICKY DOLENZ of the MONKEES.)
You’re right.... starting off as a made-up, commercial thing to appear as a band for a TV show, then to begin to practice and improve on their musicianship is fantastic.. you’re correct as well that there is no fakery involved in what we see hear... they truly are really great being able to excellently play this hit song where originally others were playing the instruments... awesome analyses... thank you so much
From the beginning you could really see Nesmith's talent as a songwriter. Tork played several instruments. People forget the fact that they didn't play their own instruments in the beginning because Kirshner wouldn't let them. Nez was a revolutionary. This performance just shows that these guys were fully capable of playing their own instruments
Agreed, Kirshner was in control, until he wasn't, though Nesmith negotiated rights to have his songs on albums Papa Gene's Blues, collaboration Sweet Young Thing, with was totally twangy). Nesmith wrote Different Drum, sung by the Stone Poneys, and was at the forefront of the Country-Pop movement, perhaps he was inspired by fellow Texan, Roy Orbison. He was certainly either a contemporary or pre dated the country works of the Byrds and Graham Parsons. Tork was an accomplished musician in his own right, playing multiple instruments, and friend of Byrds' member Stephen Stills. His banjo work on Mike Nesmith's composition, You Told Me is fantastic, and really sets the tone for the record, Headquarters, where the band members played throughout, with some additional help (Chip on bass, as usual and his recording or engineering, and a few others). I read somewhere that Mickey played guitar but was last man out, and was put on drums as a singing drummer, which he did well. If he had no drumming abilities, he really pulled through. His voice is unique and well suited to their music, as was Davy's. The bands in the day relied heavily on the Wrecking Crew.
@@babagyoza I agree, although I really think Davey had the best voice. Mickey's voice was good, but a little whiney sometimes. Mike had a good country voice, but Davey's voice was more versatile. Peter's vocals left a lot to be desired. Thats all I will say
@@babagyoza And Kirshner did a fantastic job of understanding what would be a hit, where to get the good writers, and putting it together with the studio musicians, but he completely failed to see the direction music was going. Yes the song "Sugar Sugar" was a big hit for the studio musicians performing as The Archie's, but you don't see much more from him other than that and it was just bubblegum music. The Monkee LPs had plenty of bubble gum too, but those weren't what rose up the charts and really powered album sales. Additionally, some of those Nesmith tunes held up very well. The band members were also socializing with musician who were really in the thick of it. Having Frank Zappa on the show and Hendrix opening on tour were a far cry from Kirshner's vision for the music, but show that others involved understood the direction things were really going.
Studio time cost money, and studio musicians were commonly used to record albums because they knew what recording engineers were asking for. No shame in that.
Donnie.
Mickey Dolenz is one my favorite vocalists of that period. Such a great voice.
Agreed. He still has it almost 25 years past this performance.
Listen Mickey doin GOIN DOWN.. SAYS IT ALL
@@MrSadsack56 no Time, words... still, fantastic
Great analysis! I was 8 years old living in a tiny town in the foothills of Northern California gold rush country when their show first aired. We had two tv channels on a good day, reception was terrible because of the mountains but this show was the most wonderful thing I’d ever seen in my life. The expression you have while watching the musicians on the videos makes me feel that all is right in the world😊
Another super breakdown with substantive annotations. Mad respect for those 4 guys.
Another excellent episode, Fil. Your selections are eclectic, unexpected & never boring. Nice to see your appreciation of different genres of music, plus your research and analysis is always spot on. Thanks so much. It's much appreciated!
And don’t forget ‘these days’ also = AUTUNE 100 so most nothing is ‘real’
Great breakdown of how these cats deserved respect from day one, all they brought was joy to millions again and again
Mickey Dolenz had a great singing voice as well as great stage presence. Peter Tork was a multi-instrumentalist who started out on banjo (hence his picking style in the video - it is banjo picking), but was solid on acoustic and electric guitar as well as being solid on keyboards and learned bass during the show's run. Davey Jones had a great voice and a stage presence honed on the English stage. But he didn't play an instrument. Mike Nesmith (who passed away today) was a skilled guitarist and songwriter who fought long and hard with their management to let them play on their own albums, and let them write their own material. My favourite Mike Nesmith story is one that's been corroborated by Mickey Dolenz and Davey Jones. During a very tense and contentious meeting with Don Kirshner about letting the guys write and play their own songs Nesmith smashed his fist through a wall, and turning to Kirshner said "That could have been your f***ing face!" before leaving. Kirshner was fired and the band was allowed to do their thing. RIP Woolhat!
I never saw his death announced publicly..🙏🎸
You know how much stage work Jones did? Almost none. A little more on an early British soap opera but a thespian? NO, you don't know what you're writing about.
And what was "their thing"? A string of hit albums? No. Point lost I'm afraid.
He did enough to be nominated for a Tony for his role as the Artful Dodger.
Davey Jones could play drums. He was set up originally as the "front man", but after hearing Micky sing, they had already committed him to drums but really could see HIM as the main singer.
I heard Micky tell this story.
I saw the Monkees as a teenager in Des Moines, Iowa in the 60s. They filled the autitorium and they were still on the TV sho at the time. As far as I could tell as a young teenager and not yet had played in a band myself, they were playing their own instruments. The complaint was certainly out in the gossip at that time that they didn't. I do remember them pausing to let everyone with their flashbulbs in their Kodak cameras to click on the count of 3 so everyone in the house could get a nice bright photo of them. lol! Thanks, great video again!
Oh, that was fun, Fil
Thanks for the goofy smile cemented on my face!
I was 7 years old when they started on tv. I didn’t watch them until the 70s. I remember a bunch of us girls practicing their famous walk! As an adult I was lucky to see them live at a concert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I remember reading about the flack they took for not being a real band, but instead of letting that get to them, they did something about it. They practiced with the instruments to become a real band. Hats off to them! The media can no longer bash them about their playing.
I loved the Monkees then and always ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎵🎶🎶🎵🎵♥️🎵♥️⭐️⭐️⭐️♥️♥️⭐️
The Monkees were always awesome. Its great that people are discovering that...finally.
I was only 10 years old when The Monkees debuted on tv in 1966. I thought they were the best thing ever at that age. Huge record sales in 66 and 67. Four consecutive #1 albums and a string of huge singles including 3 #1s. As for their musical ability..Mike Nesmith was an accomplished songwriter and guitarist. Peter Tork a multitalented musician playing guitar, piano and saxophone. Vocally they blended beautifully. The show was brilliant in many ways..an off the wall mix of ridiculous entertaining funny stuff with their music included in it. I loved it as a boy. In spite of what people may say.. they definitely left their mark in musical history. Part of what made me want to be a musician at 10 years old. Great trip back into my past Fil! Thanks for the great analysis. 😎🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦🇨🇦
"Headquarters" was the album where the boys actually wrote and played everything.
Zappa was a big fan of what they were trying to accomplish. Their movie "Head" is awesomely awful and a must-see for anyone who wants to know what was going on in the Monkees minds.
Full disclosure: I've been in the fan club since the 70's. :D
Victor Mature's hair was attacking them... :-)
@@barrycohen311 LOL!
HALF the tracks on the Monkees' HEADQUARTERS album were written by the Monkees, mostly by Nesmith. Interestingly, "For Pete's Sake," which became the closing theme of the TV show, was cowritten by Peter Tork.
They could write a few good songs, but not consistently at the level of Boyce & Hart or other Tinpan Alley composers. Consequently HEADQUARTERS I would say is the weakest of the Monkees' albums. I have always considered the next album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Jones, where they did not write nearly as much of the material, to be their best.
the opening 'Porpoise Song' sequence is pretty great. so's the tune
I met these guys shortly before Davy Jones died.
Mickey struck up a conversation with me while waiting for Peter and Davy who were getting directions for something.
Very down to earth and super friendly. So few musicians have been so pleasant.
They were never faking it like Milli Vanilli, there was just no interest in their abilities. The network wanted them as actor-comedians, not musicians but they actually hired both. Very simple.
yep - when most people say "they dont sing"/"dont play"; generally it refers to their starting days, and refers to "not professionally".
Obviously if they were terrible/hadn't handled an instrument they wouldn't be able to fake it at all.
Peter and his family were the nicest people. I really enjoyed going over his house in Connecticut in the 60s. Instruments all over the place. I know he played for sure. He taught at my sisters school too. Davy was very nice too. Met him twice when I lived in Manchester UK. I miss them and the better days. Thanks Fil. Loved this.
I was at his Flat in 1990 in San Francisco and yes he had about every model guitar made lining the rooms.
I met Davy three times in person. He proved himself to be a kind genuine man who obviously loved his fans. I was shocked and heartbroken when I learned about his death.
RIP Davy and Peter.
Stumbled upon this video. I'm 65 so I was 11 when the show came out. I've seen them in concert 3 times. Once at the Cow Palace at the height of the madness, once at the Oakland Colosseum when the popularity was waning, and again saw Mickey, and Peter about 3 years ago. This was very interesting as I did know some of it, but a lot of the info was new to me.
Thank you for showing them the respect that they deserve!
The fact that four talented young actors/musicians were cast in a television show and that their initial success was somewhat contrived... i.e. their songs composed, arranged and performed by other studio musicians, does not negate how wonderful this music was or how truly gifted the Monkees were. Many popular acts throughout music history were developed in much the same way. Bands or musicians that develop purely organically are actually rare in the modern music industry. Even the Beatles were groomed by George Martin and although they were exceptionally talented songwriters and musicians, the finished albums we all love and respect were certainly impacted by production, arranging and musicianship beyond their immediate abilities in the beginning. Considering that the Monkees eventually were capable of supporting their own live performances actually shows tremendous talent and growth as individual artists and as a group... beyond this... the music is still such a treasure!
From "yeah yeah yeah" to "no no no". You think this was planned? Brilliant! The very first time I heard this song was in my parents car on our local AM radio station. Mom was giving me a lift to my first day of sixth grade. This was the first week September 1966. At first I thought it might be the Beatles. To me it sounded like Paperback Writer. All summer before this, Paperback Writer got a lot of airplay on the radio. When the Monkee's show had aired that following week, other school kids said the Beatles are finished and Monkees now ruled. I told them they were crazy and that the Monkees' is just a TV show. What do kids know eh? LOL Love your channel Thanks! :)
Peter Tork was a pretty great musician. You should check out his group, "Shoe Suede Blues". They did a lot of standard stuff, but they also stretched out a bit.
RIP Davy and Peter
He used to live at one time near my cousins in Connecticut and would pickup up some nice Benjamins on the side teaching guitar.
Peter, like many rock stars in the 60s, lived in Laurel Cyn and reportedly threw some legendary parties. Mama Cass was known to distribute joints. Peter was avowed nudist and his lifestyle was readily apparent If one visited.
Magnificent Failure Yes, but what everybody missed BEFORE Laurel Canyon and the Monkees, Peter Tork was a well established musician in the Greenwich Village folk music scene. Peter could play about 15 different instruments.
@@JannaBrewer I think you were replying to Patrick Oh!. :)
I would love to get my hands on any recordings of Peter back in the Village days.
I was a member of the fan club for years.
When Peter died I had to dial it back for a while. It takes me some time to get used to the idea of a world without my idols.
I would think I'd be used to it by now.
Magnificent Failure Yes I was !! Sorry..and I know how you feel about Peter.. i miss him SO much 💔❤️
I thoroughly enjoyed this… And I thought it was so cute that little child up in the isle of the seats in the audience dancing all around to the music… Too cute thank you for sharing
Mickey was very talented actor. I had not known he was such a good singer until the Monkees came on TV. And I agree their hit song were tremendous and in my area were played so much and their music loved. I still listen to their music today. Thank you for your history lesson and analysis.
I'm still glad Stephen Stills didn't get the gig...
And so was he. He was meant for a far different path. It definitely wouldn't have The Monkees that so many know and enjoyed.
Although it was reported Stills was refused the job because of his missing tooth and receding hairline ("they would have fixed that stuff") he says he wasn't interested once he was told the producers would own full rights to any of his music used by the show.
If Stills got that role I wonder if we would have ended up with something like Crosby, Nesmith, Nash and Young.
Add Harry Nilsson to the Monkees audition list. I think he would have been great! Nilsson made his first sale of a song to the Monkees. (Cuddley Toy... great song, comforting a girl after a one-night stand. ( "You're not the only choo choo train, to be left out in the rain, the day after Santa came... la la la)
As for the Monkees - It is amazing how fresh and clean the songs have remained after all these years. My inner 13 year old still comes alive at the sound.
FYI...Stills Young and Dewy Marten, Drummer, From Buffalo Springfield, Played on a lot of Monkees songs. Stills and Dewy Marten are playing on most of Peters recordings including both songs on HEAD and all of the songs later released on Missing Links. Neil Young is on As We Go Along playing acoustic along with Ry Cooder. Neil is playing electric lead guitar on You And I from Instant Replay, a Davy song, and on several other songs that were released on Missing links and as bonus cuts on box sets. Glen Campbell plays on every Mike Nesmith song from the first two albums and on Nesmith tracks on Missing Links. The session band from Nashville, Area Code 615, backed Michael Nesmith on a full album worth of tracks of which only two, Listen to the Band and Good Clean fun, ever were released, both as singles and album tracks from the last two albums Mike played on. Now...Buddy Miles, one of the greatest drummers of All Time was a friend of Peters and played on a huge amount of tracks mostly from Birds And The Bees forward and he met Jimi Hendrix when Jimi was the opening act for the Monkees on their 1967 live tour. Buddy can be seen playing with The Monkees in the video from their TV special 33 & 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee. Buddy and Jimi were often at Peters house and joined to form the Band of Gypsies. Crosby, Stills and Nash often Jammed at Peters. The Monkees were pivotal to the West Coast musical thing that happened between 1965 and 1969, without them Country Rock would not have happened, Nesmith was doing that before the Eagles ever were a band. Nesmith wrote Different Drum for Linda Ronstadt before the Monkees, in fact Don Kirshner turned it down because he didn't think it was commercial enough to make money. Without the Monkees CS&N and CSN&Y might not have happened. The Monkees were AS important to American music of the sixties as The Beatles were to English music of the sixties, in fact Peter recorded for George Harrison on his Wonderwall Music album in 1968. Michael stayed with John Lennon in 1967 and can be seen in a promo clip for A Day In The Life. There are many pictures of Micky with Paul so, in fact The Monkees really became America's Beatles and they deserved it.
I'M GLAD YOU SCRUTINIZED THIS; I'M 1958, BIRTHED IN PUERTO RICO, THOUGH TAUGHT ENGLISH NOT KNOWING THE LANGUAGE, BUT ENJOYED THEIR STRANGE WORDS & SOUNDS, MUSIC; THANK YOU FOR YOUR HONEST INSIGHT!!!
I met Davy after a concert, he was super nice to everyone who lined up to see him. He took a moment to have a brief conversation. I was star struck and he was so kind.
Hi Fil! Just discovered your analysis and love it! I want to thank you for discussing them and giving them the credit they richly deserve. As a fan since 1967 at six yrs old I ask you and your friends to keep their music and memory alive when my generation is gone. ✌️
Mike and Peter were working musicians before auditioning. Didn't know that Davy played drums although he did "play" drums during a song or two in a couple of episodes. Mike Nesmith said Peter could play he and lots of other musicians off the park and could play a number of instruments. I am a fan of the group but I really like Mike Nesmith's solo albums and songs. I once saw Mike in concert and it was great.
Davy and Micky were both child actors... Davy was in at least one Disney film and Micky was starring in a show called "Circus Boy" as a kid.
Micky was a guitarist in a band before the Monkees as well. He performed with a guitar during his screen test.
Yeah they moved Davy from the drums because they thought he'd get dwarfed by the drums
"Joanne" is one of my fav songs ever. And what about litte ditty called "Different Drum"?
@@rhiannonrede The First and Second National Band albums are outstanding. My fav, though, is Tropical Campfires.
OK I’m gonna confess. When these guys came out on TV I was around 11. I LOVED the show and threatened my little brother with bodily harm if he came into the room when it was on. I had a mad teenybopper crush on Mickey and had posters of him all over my room. Mercy I’m old. But I loved them and it was great to hear they were eventually appreciated for their music. Thanks
I thought Peter Tork was the cutest. He had such a loopy, a bit goofy demeanor.
I LOVED their show, also, watching reruns in the early 70s. I have had a CRUSH on Davy since those days. 😍❤
I STILL LOVE their music just as much today, and I'm never ashamed or hesitant to list them as one of my favorite groups, after The Beatles. I don't know if The Monkees can be beat when it comes to HAPPY music!! 💟 No one has ever remained in my heart as long as Davy, with the only exception of Elvis.
Thank you, Fil! I was only 5 years old when I watched the Monkees back in the 60's and I crushed on all of the guys! Lol. They were my Saturday morning life. 😚
I have loved the Monkees for six decades. I feel they are so underated! I miss them! Love and strength Micky... hang in there!
One of their best songs! Thanks for the cool look at the group who surprised everyone be being good!
Loved them then, love them now. Still have the 2nd album 50+ years later. I admire them tremendously; they are the Velveteen Rabbit of rock bands - they were loved so much they became real.
I was literally 2 years old when they aired. I grew up loving the show and music. With the loss of Davy, Peter and Mike I've been feeling as if I've lost family. I saw them both in 86 and 96. Mike hadn't been on stage with them but it brought me back to my childhood. My youngest son was 4 when we went to the 96 concert. He had seen the videos of the series with me and tried to go up on stage saying "it's ok. They know me".
Rest peacefully Peter and David, the musician’s Musician and the Manchester Cowboy
Not to forget that Nez was a great singer, guitarist & SONGWRITER. always loved them. Thanks, Phil for this one. RIP Peter & Davy.
How many people have even heard "Don't call on me"?
Super underrated musicians and singers. They never got recognized the way they should have. But in the end they lasted longer than most bands. Their songs are great.
I always liked the Monkees. They were on prime time when I was a kid and later I got a Monkees songbook and learned Last Train to Clarksville and Stepping Stone. My band went on to perform Stepping Stone and it always went over well. We used to tease it by saying our next number is from the band that was so great Jimi Hendrix once warmed up for them. Interesting fact about Last Train to Clarksville; it was written as a protest song to the Vietnam War. The song is about a guy shipping off and he wants to see his girlfriend one more time because he doesn't think he's going to make it back. They didn't mention that it was a protest song at the time because they didn't want to rock the boat at NBC.
There is also a story out there that the Monkees sold more records than the Beatles and Rolling Stones combined in 1967. In an interview in 2015 Michael Nesmith claimed he made that up. He said he told a reporter in Australia that the band had sold 35 million records in 67, twice as many as the Beatles and Stones combined but he said he just pulled that number out of the air and lied about outselling the Beatles and the Stones just to see if he would print it, which he did. If you Google it today you will still find it being stated as fact. Now, I don't know how much weight to give any statement by Michael regarding the band. He had a stormy relationship with the studio and didn't like the arrangement right off the bat. He wanted them to play on their records and to have control over the music. He only appeared with them occasionally in later years and I guess he had a bit of a rocky relationship with Peter Tork. So, did he say he lied in 67 just to add fire to the already contentious relationship he had with the Monkees? We may never know. But if if it is true that he made it up it goes to show how myth becomes fact if it's repeated enough.
Anyway, thanks for reviewing a band from my childhood who, if nothing else, brought us laughs in primetime and syndication.
Thank you for such an in-depth analysis of these guy's talents! You broke it all down so well!