Hey, Hey! It's The Monkees!

Back in 1965, the seed of an idea for a TV show was planted. Given the wild success of The Beatles, why not create a television program with a FICTIONAL band?

Oh, they’d be talented musicians, to be sure, but acting ability was the top priority. Producers Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson conceived “The Monkees” thinking they could marry pop music with television and garner big ratings.

How surprised must they have been when “Last Train To Clarksville” entered the Top 40 charts on this date in 1966! The line separating artistry and manipulation wasn’t merely blurred—it was blown away!

Written by the team that also penned the Monkees theme song, Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart (who had hits of their own in the 60’s), “Last Train To Clarksville” became one of their biggest hits.

Mickey Dolenz
Davey Jones
Mike Nesmith
Peter Tork

They were heartthrobs for the teenage female target audience—and although given vocal duties right away, it took some time before the foursome had much in the way of creative input. Dolenz’s voice was perhaps the most distinctive—and he ended up doing lead vocals much of the time.

I had the opportunity to interview Davey Jones on the radio back in the 80’s. It was a telephone chat, but I admit that I was a bit nervous. After all, this was a guy who was a legitimate “star” to me as a kid—because I didn’t draw a distinction between a group like that Beatles who were naturally a phenomenon and a group like the Monkees…who were frankly, manufactured. Don’t get me wrong. I was a fan then—and oddly enough, I still am…in a weird kind of way.

Here’s a clip of the Fabricated Four—doing their hit song:




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScXXaBu1Ing


It was fun to watch these guys fool around and make music and I’m sure that many bands were born due to this crazy TV show—serious musicians actually inspired by the Monkees!

From “Daydream Believer” to “(I’m Not Your)Steppin’ Stone”, the Monkees, like it or not—were an important part of 60’s music and pop culture.

Yeah, they had their critics, but it never seemed to bother them. As their own theme song stated: “We’re too busy singin’…to put anybody down!”

If you’d like my blog in your box, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com