In Defense of the Monkees

In Defense of the Monkees

Yesterday, I watched several hours of an IFC (Independent Film Channel) Memorial Day special of a block of the 60’s TV show “The Monkees.” The show ran from September of ’66 to March of ’68. It starred four young Beatle proto types, Mickey Dolenz, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork and Davey Jones.
The 30 minute program was definitely influenced by the Beatles’ films :A Hard Days Night” and “Help.” It had a particular scenario of a poor group of musicians struggling to hit it big. They had a new crisis every week capped off by chase scenes with their songs as the back drop, or seemingly live performances.
As a kid, I loved the Monkees. I waited anxiously each week for the show. Of course, when I was a kid , the amount of pop/rock music on TV was near nonexistent … pre MTV. Pre Don Kirshner Rock Concert or Midnight Special.
My brothers and sisters divided up the band. (I WaAS Peter.) We sang along with the songs and adored the characters. It didn’t matter to us, manufactured or not, because they made some great music.
It was easy for a lot of people to dismiss the band as a ficxtion, created in a board room and brought to life by TV, a staff of song writers and session musicians. After all, there were really only 2 musicians in the band (Mike nd Peter). The other two were actors, but at least familiar with musical theater (Mickey and Davey).
But…. So what?
When you look at the music of the 60’s and 70’s, a huge majority of the hits from that period had one of three groups of session musicians on them. The west coast Wrecking Crew that contained everyone from a young Leon Russell to Glen Campbell and Dr. John (see the new documentary – “The Wrecking Crew”) or the session musicians that played on every single Motown hit of that era (“Standing in the Shadow of Motown” documentary) produced the music behind hit after hit. Even Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys used the Wrecking Crew on many Beach Boy albums. Muscle Shoals session musicians also produced the sounds of Aretha Franklin and the Staple Singers.
Many of the Rand R Hall of Fame inductees depended on these session musicians. Whether it was the Supremes, Dion, The Dells, the Four Seasonss, Mamas and the papas, or Aretha Franklin, they depended on these session musicians to give them a sound. They were the voice.
That voice also depended upon the people who wrote the songs. The Monkees were often criticized because they didn’t write their songs like the Beatles did (many early Beatle songs were written by others at capitol Records insistence). Many of the artists in the Hall of Fame did not write their songs. Elvis received some song writing credit from artists who wanted him to sing their song, but even he said “I Never Wrote a Song.” Nor did Aretha, or the Supremems or many others. These esteemed acts all fell in the same category as the Monkees. But, boy, did the MOnkees have some high powered songwriters!
Most Monkee songs were written by pop duo Tommy Boyce and bobby Hart. They were truly the musical backbone of the band. They, plus others were directed by Don Kirshner’s hit factory to churn out pop hits for the so called pre-fab four. That list also included carole King, Harry Nilsson, Michael Murphy, King and Goffin and Neil Diamond. No one can criticize the song writing quality for the Monkees. The songs were written by great musicians.
So what is it that made the Monkees so distained by some. It was either you love them or hate them. Apparently a lot loved them since during 1966 to 1968, their first four albums were number one on the charts and the 5th was number 3. Then, the show was cancelled. They made the movie “head” written and directed by Jack Nicholson. That album and movie, a psychedelic exercise that alienated many regular fans, only topped at 46. Peter Tork left the band and the fall continued.
Dolnez and Jones made more music with Boyce and Hart. Nesmith and Tork had solo music careers. Nesmith has a few country oriented semi-hits. The Monkees reunited a few times for well received tours, but never like it was in 66-68.
Davey Jones passed away not too long ago. The three remaining members reunited for a nostalgia tour paying tribute to Jones.
So, was it because they were shadow of the Beatles? Was it because they were on TV?
Who knows? Who cares? Although it would shock me if they were ever in the Rock Hall of Fame, many of those residing there share the same background as Mike, Davey, Mickey and Peter.
They are still on my IPOD. I still love their music. If “last Train To Clarksville”, “I’m a believer” or “Daydream Believer” come on the radio, you can bet I’ll be singing along.
And, if I’m walking through the house and hear the Boyce and Hart penned anthem “Hey Hey We’re The Monkees!” playing from the TV, I will stop and watch. It’s only Rock and Roll.