The Monkees Plus 50

[Rocket T. Coyote]

It was on this date in 1966 that NBC launched The Monkees as part of their Saturday morning lineup. The show was about a rock band in the style of The Beatles' from A Hard Day's Night, IIRC. There was Mickey Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork--Davy Jones was the only Brit in the group. Despite being a made up band, they had a number of hit songs, like Stepping Stone, Daydream Believer, and Last Train To Clarksville. I think Neil Diamond did some of the songwriting. There were records, comic books, lunchboxes, and a model kit of their customized Pontiac.

[animagusurreal]

I'm a big fan of their music. They had some great songwriters working for them, including their own Michael Nesmith.

I used a couple of their songs during my days of doing YouTube music videos with my artwork:

"Can You Dig It?":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj9hvMNERVk

"As We Go Along":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8RncDl_lFs

I once met Micky Dolenz briefly at the premiere of a movie about Harry Nilsson, who also wrote some of their music. Dolenz was very entertaining onstage introducing the film, but afterwards I tried to talk to him, and he was not very friendly. I'd understand if he was trying not to be noticed, but he was wearing a white suit and fedora - he definitely wanted people to notice him!

[Chipper Blu-wolf]

A made-for-tv band.  I've known for quite some time, the Monkees didn't actually play their instruments, and they were all studio session players.  I think the only one that could honestly carry a tune was Davy Jones.  Very surprising the show lasted as long as it did, and this group is as popular as it was.

[Kobuk]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monkees

[Rocket T. Coyote]

Apparently, there were two customized Pontiac GTOs used in the television series.

[Old Rabbit]

The monkeys and many other famous bands flurished during the 60's and after. I am sure
many enjoyed their music. I wish them a good 50'th aniversery.

I never kept up with the famous bands of the late 50's  or 60's Even though I was teenager
then.. I never cared much for the rock n roll style of music.  I was a fan of 40's jazz, and the big
bands of that era. I never cared for dancing either. Just an old stick in the mud I guess. 

I suppose it's becase I always enjoyed instrumental and classical music over singers. Though I did
like a few singers like Doris Day, Nat King Cole, and Jim Neigbors..

[Rocket T. Coyote]

I was very young when The Monkees were on television for the first time and remember little of the show to be honest. Like the musical segments where a girl in a bunny costume would disappear behind a desk, then Peter would emerge wearing the same costume. The 60s were a turbulent and exciting time. Civil unrest, the War in SE Asia, MLK and Kennedy assassinations, and the Space Race. I considered The Monkees to be a sort of live-action cartoon.