I was just a little boy when I first saw The Monkees on TV; we still called it television back then.  They were a hilarious group of guys who happened to also make music, at least that is how I viewed them at the time through my child’s mind. I sang their songs and even owned a few of their albums including The Monkees and More of The Monkees.  In fact, I had an argument with my second grade teacher about the proper spelling of the word monkey since I have had ‘proof’ that it was spelled monkee, not monkey.

As I got a little bit older as an adolescent, I never admitted liking The Monkees when I was younger; I was too ‘cool’ for that. I never even threw my Monkees records away. They weren’t playable due to the fact that I was a kid and records of both sizes made great Frisbees.

Davy Jones was a legend among girls my age. They would swoon at the mere mention of his name. A photo would produce sighs and giggles without the ability for them to stop themselves. I think somewhat analogous to Justin Bieber today. Thee 60’s had many heartthrobs and Davy Jones was at the top of the list.

Many artists have either recorded, performed or credited The Monkees including Run-DMC. A little known fact is The Jimi Hendrix Experience was an opening act for The Monkees in July of 1967 and it was their first American concert tour. Hendrix music and sexual nature did not go over well with The Monkees wholesome teen audience. Hendrix gave the audience the ‘middle finger’ several times and eventually quit the tour due to his lack of audience appreciation.  It is funny to think of Hendrix and The Monkees together on a concert tour and Hendrix being booed of stage in favor of The Monkees.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have snubbed The Monkees allegedly due to them not playing their own instruments often on their records, which is more commonplace today than it was in the 60’s.

Regardless of what you think about The Monkees as musicians, they were an incredibly talented group of guys that made music fun and had no trouble playing absolute fools on TV. They entertained a generation in a way not previously demonstrated. They made five #1 albums and three #1 singles in a two-year period. Pretty impressive when you think about The Beatles and The Beach Boys were part of their competition.

Davy, thanks for the fun, laughs, music and memories. You gave us all permission to not think that music or life needs to be all that serious most of the time.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

December 30th brought us two members of The Monkees, Michael Nesmith in 1942 and Davy Jones1945.  The Monkees were a pop group formed by Robert “Bob” Rafelson and Bert Schneider in 1966 for the TV show by the same name. The show had a run from 1966-1968.

Initially the members of the The Monkees were not allowed much musical and creative input. They weren’t even permitted to sing live in the beginning. They fought for rights in musical output of the band and eventually were able to tour.

The Monkees singles and albums have sold over 65 million copies.  Their first four albums, all went to #1 in the U.S. including three #1 Billboard singles; “Last Train To Clarksville”, “I’m A Believer” and “Daydream Believer”.

The Monkees have a peculiar legacy in that they were clearly a pop band created for acting purposes and are still enjoying popular success today.  It is possible that they continue to draw interest as the guys who were not supposed to make-it as musicians but simply a bunch of funny, cute Beatle-like performers.

I find it very bizarre they had two members with the same birthday. Happy birthday Mike and Davy.

This video was created on December 31, 1966, must have been a birthday present to Mike and Davy.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ