Hey, Hey, They're The Monkees!

Hey, Hey, They're The Monkees!

“Hey, hey, we’re the Monkees/ And people say we monkey around/ But we’re too busy singin’/To put anybody down/We’re just trying to be friendly/Come and watch us sing and play/We’re the young generation/And we’ve got something to say...”

When these words kicked off the first episode on NBC-TV’s new Monday night musical sitcom in September 1966, no one imagined what a phenomenon the network was kicking off. Devised by Bob Rafelson (who later went on to direct the hit movie Five Easy Pieces) and Bert Schneider, the Monkees were an attempt to create and market an American version of the Beatles, and the show’s concept was loosely based on the British Fab Four’s two classic films, A Hard Day’s Night and Help\ After devising the show, the producers secured Don Kirshner to coordinate the music, and he came up with the dynamic duo of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, not to mention some legendary pop songwriters— Neil Diamond, Carole King, Neil Sedaka, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil—to compose hit songs for the yet-to-be-formed band.

But the Monkees would have never gone anywhere without charismatic personalities to actually be the band—so the producers placed ads in the show biz trade

papers announcing open auditions for the parts. Legend tells us that many notables tried out for the part, including Stephen Stills (of Buffalo Springfield/Crosby, Stills & Nash fame; it was Stills who recommended Peter Tork to the show’s producers) and soon-to-be mass murderer Charles Manson. But Rafelson and Schneider chose a foursome comprised of two actors—Davy Jones (who had played the Artful Dodger in the British version of the stage hit, Oliver\) and Mickey Dolenz (who, as a child, had been the star of a hit TV series called Circus Boy)—and two musicians, Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork. And the rest, as they say, was rock ’n’ roll history

The Monkees got a lot of criticism right from the start. They were accused of being plastic and totally manufactured, a point the band itself would later lampoon in their only feature film, Head, a psychedelic extravaganza that was co-written by famous actor (and Monkee associate) Jack Nicholson. The producers and music moguls did try to control them (it became so bad at one point that the band rebelled against Don Kirshner, had him ousted, and the experience was so bad for Kirshner that he next came up with the Archies, a group of cartoon characters that he could totally control!).

But the Monkees weren’t the Archies. Sure, they were a band created by others, but once they were hired, they portrayed themselves as complete, charismatic individuals. Their talent was undeniable. When they were accused of not playing their own instruments, they proved the critics wrong by recording their own albums and going on tour. And with the exception of Davy Jones (who had a post-Monkees hit song with ‘‘Rainy Jane”), they each wrote some fine songs on their own. Peter Tork’s composition, ‘‘For Pete’s Sake,” was the theme which closed the show. Micky Dolenz’s ‘‘Randy Scouse Git” was a hit in England. And Mike Nesmith wrote brilliant songs for the band, as well as writing the beautiful ‘‘Different Drum” (a big hit for Linda Ronstadt & the Stone Poneys) and “Joanne,” which was a post-Monkees hit for Nesmith & his First National Band.

During their heyday, the band produced hits like “Last Train To Clarksville,” “I’m A Believer,” “Steppin’ Stone” and “Daydream Believer” which stand with any pop music that came out during the ’60s. In fact, in 1967, their record sales topped both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones combined.

The TV show won two Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Comedy Series,” their tours were sell-outs all over the world, and the band dominated the music industry with four number one albums and nine Top 20 singles during their career.

Interest in the band died out rapidly after the show was cancelled in 1968, but there has recently been a revival of Monkeemania, as 1986 is the 20th anniversary of the birth of the band and the TV series. It all began in late February when MTV aired 22-and-a-half consecutive hours of the show, 45 backto-back episodes. MTV also proclaimed the month of March “Monkees Month,” and broadcast episodes of the show twice a day. In fact, the demand was so great that the “Month” actually went into April! The show is being syndicated in over 120 cities. Monkees Fan Clubs began rising around the country, and Monkees conventions were being scheduled in major cities, the largest being held in Philadelphia August 1, 2 and 3. Rhino Records began releasing the band’s albums, Arista has scheduled a two-set Best Of The Monkees anthology, and a book titled The Monkees Tale by Eric Lefcowitz has been published.

With all this attention, it would seem ridiculous for the band not to reform. And so the Monkees—sans Mike Nesmith, who chose not to take part in the reunion—are back together, and currently on the road, bringing nostalgia and happy pop to Monkees fans of all ages.

And so you better get ready—they may be coming to your town!