Posted May 9, 200718 yr After the fab 4 came the fabricated 4. Peter Tork a folk musician Mike Nesmith (heir to the tippex millions) had released some records Mickey Dolenz a child actor Davy Jones actor Session musicians played on the records, which were selling millions. Their TV show increased their popularity. Hits included I’m a believer, Last train to Clarksville, A little bit you a little bit me, Daydream Believer, Alternate title (originally called Randy Scouse Git :lol: ). The songs were written by Neil Diamond, Carole King and Harry Nilsson. The Monkees, selected specifically to appeal to the youth market with their manufactured personae and carefully produced singles, are seen as an original precursor to the modern proliferation of studio and corporation-created bands. But this critical reputation has softened somewhat, with the recognition that the Monkees were neither the first manufactured group nor unusual in this respect. The Monkees also frequently contributed their own songwriting efforts on their albums and saw their musical skills improve. They ultimately became a self-directed group, playing their own instruments and writing their own songs.
May 10, 200718 yr If the Monkees were manufactured so were The Velvet Underground. Lou Reed was writing fake pop songs for Pickwick Records and wrote a song which the bosses thought might be a hit. They needed a long haired English looking dude in the group so added John Cale. So the most influencial 'alternative' group of all times was actually put together by one time Phil Spector associate and all-round industry guy Terry Phillips. :D
May 10, 200718 yr the monkees were 'put together' but all became competant musicians. ive seen them live. great pop! 'pleasant valley sunday' , 'a little bit me, a little bit you' (a re-working of neil diamonds 'cherry cherry') and 'alternate titale' (was 'randy scouse git' after till death us do part)
May 12, 200718 yr 'Head' era stuff liek 'Porpoise Song' and 'Circle Sky' are fantastic. yeah does head fall into this period???
May 12, 200718 yr I'm not the world's biggest Monkees fan. To compare them to the Beatles is like comparing McFly with Oasis. However, my favourite track by them is from the career suicide that was the brilliant movie "Head". StNXo5db5NA Monkees - The Porpoise Song (Theme from Head) Part 1 EWsBnxbaB18 Monkees - The Porpoise Song (Theme from Head) Part 2
May 12, 200718 yr The whole 'audition' stuff is pretty suss. Davy Jones and Mike Nesmith were already signed to Columbia (Davy had released an album, Nesmith a few singles) when they joined the Monkees and Mikey Dolenz was a well known child star. The only Monkee to get thru (sort of)on his own was Peter Tork and he was recomended by Stephen Stills who was mananged by Greene and Stone (Sonny and Cher's management).
May 13, 200718 yr mikey dolenz was 'corky' the circus boy, i remember seeing that kids prog as... a kid! (yes they did have tv's that long ago!)
May 13, 200718 yr mikey dolenz was 'corky' the circus boy, i remember seeing that kids prog as... a kid! (yes they did have tv's that long ago!) this show was it b/w or 'color'???
May 14, 200718 yr http://www.bouldercool.com/circus.jpg Micky Dolenz aka Braddock in Circus Boy http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/circusboy.htm Edited May 14, 200718 yr by findingout
May 14, 200718 yr http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/circusboy.htm cool site, gonna have a look round later!!!
May 22, 200718 yr I can remember watching The Monkees programme it used to be on every saturday morning.
May 22, 200718 yr Yeah, they also showed it in the school holidays. I used to watch the intro song and montage then go and do something less boring instead (just like Why Don't You told me to do). I also used to do this with the Littlest Hobo - great theme tune, rubbish show.
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