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The Monkees

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The Monkees
NameThe Monkees
CaptionThe Monkees in 1967: Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork
Backgroundgroup_or_band
GenreRock music, Pop music, Folk rock
Years active1966–1970, 1976, 1986–1989, 1993–1997, 2001–2002, 2010–2011, 2012–2014
LabelColgems, RCA Records, Arista Records, Rhino Entertainment
Associated actsThe Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Byrds, The Mamas & the Papas

The Monkees were a rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, created for the ABC television series The Monkees, which aired from 1966 to 1968 and starred Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork. The band's music was produced by Don Kirshner, who worked with Screen Gems and Colgems Records to create the group's sound, which was influenced by The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Bob Dylan. The Monkees' popularity was fueled by their television show, which was filmed at Desilu Productions and Columbia Pictures, and their music was featured on Billboard charts, alongside other popular artists like The Doors, The Grateful Dead, and Jimi Hendrix.

History

The Monkees were formed in response to the popularity of The Beatles and their film A Hard Day's Night, which was released in 1964 and starred John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The band's creators, Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider, worked with Screen Gems to develop the concept for the television series, which was inspired by the Marx Brothers and The Three Stooges. The Monkees' original lineup consisted of Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork, who were chosen from a pool of over 400 applicants, including Stephen Stills and John Sebastian. The band's early years were marked by a mix of music and comedy, with the group performing at venues like the Hollywood Bowl and the Whisky a Go Go, alongside other popular acts like The Byrds and The Mamas & the Papas.

Music

The Monkees' music was a key part of their appeal, with hits like I'm a Believer, Last Train to Clarksville, and Pleasant Valley Sunday becoming staples of 1960s music. The band's sound was influenced by a range of artists, including The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Bob Dylan, and they worked with producers like Don Kirshner and Chip Douglas to create their unique sound. The Monkees' music was featured on Billboard charts, alongside other popular artists like The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks. The band's albums, including The Monkees and More of the Monkees, were released on Colgems Records and RCA Records, and they collaborated with other musicians like Carole King and Neil Diamond.

Television

The Monkees' television series, which aired from 1966 to 1968, was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish the band as a cultural phenomenon. The show was filmed at Desilu Productions and Columbia Pictures, and it featured a mix of music, comedy, and adventure. The series starred Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork as the members of a fictional rock band, and it guest-starred a range of other actors and musicians, including Victor Mature, Carolyn Jones, and Frank Zappa. The Monkees' television series was influenced by the Marx Brothers and The Three Stooges, and it paved the way for other music-based television shows, like The Partridge Family and The Jackson 5.

Film

The Monkees appeared in several films, including Head, which was released in 1968 and starred Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork. The film was directed by Bob Rafelson and Jack Nicholson, and it featured a mix of music, comedy, and social commentary. The Monkees also appeared in 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee, a television special that aired in 1969 and featured the band performing alongside other musicians like Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll. The Monkees' film appearances helped to cement their status as a cultural phenomenon, and they influenced a range of other musicians and filmmakers, including The Beatles and Martin Scorsese.

Members

The Monkees' original lineup consisted of Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork, who were chosen from a pool of over 400 applicants. The band's members were all multi-instrumentalists and singers, and they played a range of instruments, including guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. The Monkees' members were also all actors, and they appeared in a range of television shows and films, including The Monkees and Head. The band's members have all pursued solo careers in music and acting, with Davy Jones releasing several solo albums and Micky Dolenz appearing in a range of stage productions, including Aida and Hairspray. Category:American rock music groups