The Monkees
A band created for a '60s TV comedy has endured, thanks to their infectious pop and humor.
With such hits as "Daydream Believer," "Last Train to Clarksville," "I'm a Believer," "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and "Valleri," The Monkees - Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Mike Nesmith and Micky Dolenz - were four madcap musicians who would turn pop culture upside-down. Half a century later, the surviving members (Nesmith, Dolenz and Tork) are still "monkeying around," and have released a new album marking their 50th anniversary, "Good Times!"
The Monkees
The Monkees were a "made-for-TV" band, assembled for the 1960s comedy show by producers Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson, who put an ad in Variety seeking "four insane boys."
Peter Tork
Peter Tork, a folk singer, keyboardist and bass player, heard about the auditions from his friend Stephen Stills, who had been passed over: "So Stephen had to settle for Crosby Stills Nash & Young. He's never forgiven me!"
Mike Nesmith
Musician and songwriter Mike Nesmith had written such songs as "Different Drummer" (later recorded by Linda Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys).
Nesmith was playing at the Troubador when a friend came in and said, "'I just saw this ad in Variety. I think you should go down and try out for it.' So I did." He went to the Monkees audition in the same knit cap he'd wear for the show.
Davy Jones
Davy Jones was a British actor who already had Broadway experience (he played the Artful Dodger in the musical "Oliver!") and had recorded two albums under the name David Jones.
Micky Dolenz
Drummer Mickey Dolenz had started as a child actor - he'd played the lead in the 1950s series "Circus Boy" - and had appeared on "Playhouse 90" and "Peyton Place."
Once the auditioning cast members were winnowed down, the four remaining connected "instantly," said Dolenz. "It was scary!"
The Monkees
"The Monkees" debuted on NBC on Sept. 12, 1966. Goofy scripts, catchy songs, and their endearing personalities - showcased by vigorous editing that pre-dated MTV and music videos - helped the show win an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series.
The Monkees
In the episode "Some Like It Lukewarm," The Monkees enter a contest for mixed singing groups by having one of their members perform in drag. Complications ensue!
The Monkees
The boys would butt heads with the show's music producer, Don Kirshner, who used outside session musicians to make The Monkees' first records: "I thought they wanted me to play for them," Tork told CBS News' Anthony Mason. "I was mistaken."
He said he felt mortified: "They were doing 'Clarksville,' and I wrote a counterpoint -- I had studied music. And they said, 'No, no, Peter, you don't understand. This is the record. It's all done. We don't need you."
No. 1 Hits
Their first, eponymous album, released in 1966 just a few weeks before the TV series' debut, featured such songs as "Last Train to Clarksville"; "I Wanna Be Free"; Papa Gene's Blues"; and "Sweet Young Thing" (written by Gerry Goffin, Carole King and Nesmith). The album hit #1, and "Clarksville" topped the singles chart. "More of the Monkees" followed, featuring "I'm a Believer" by Neil Diamond; "(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone"; "Mary, Mary"; and "When Love Comes Knockin' (At Your Door)" by Carol Bayer Sager and Neil Sedaka.
The Monkees
In 1967 The Monkees outsold The Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
"Headquarters"
The fictional TV band became such a phenomenon, fans wanted to see them live. So the producers finally allowed them to play, and their third album, "Headquarters," was entirely their own.
"Head"
The TV series' producer, Bob Rafelson (who would later direct "Five Easy Pieces") directed The Monkees in a psychedelic musical-comedy, "Head" (1968). Written by Rafelson and Jack Nicholson, it also featured Frank Zappa, Teri Garr, Annette Funicello, Victor Mature and Dennis Hopper.
With antipathy between the Monkees and the producers at an all-time pitch, the film (which was a box office failure but later grew into a cult favorite) marked the end of the group - their "swan song," Nesmith told Rolling Stone.
Going Solo
The TV series ended after just two seasons, and The Monkees eventually went their separate ways.
Jones recorded solo albums, and had a 1971 hit with "Rainy Janes."
Tork played solo, formed his own band, and taught music.
Dolenz became a TV producer and director in England, and a radio DJ in New York City.
Nesmith started his own group, the First National Band, and was executive producer of the cult film "Repo Man." His 1981 Pacific Arts production, "Elephants Parts," won the first Grammy Award for Long-form Music Video.
Reunited
Monkee Davy Jones, who once appeared as a guest star with starstruck Marcia Brady (Maureen McCormick) on "The Brady Bunch," joined McCormick on stage at the TV Land Awards at the Hollywood Palladium on March 2, 2003 in Hollywood, California.
Tribute to Davy Jones
Following Davy Jones' death, in 2012, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz performed at a memorial concert, "An Evening of Music & Memories," at B.B. King's Blues Club & Grill on April 3, 2012 in New York City.
Micky Dolenz
Micky Dolenz of The Monkees performs at a tribute concert to Davy Jones, at B.B. King's Blues Club & Grill on April 3, 2012 in New York City.
Reunion Tour
Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork of The Monkees perform at The Greek Theatre on November 10, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.
"Good Times!"
The three Monkees have recorded a 50th anniversary album, "Good Times!" which includes new songs as well as an unreleased vintage track, "Love To Love" by Neil Diamond, that features Davy Jones.
"Good Times!" is the first studio album by the group since 1996, and the first since Jones' death. It was produced by Fountains of Wayne frontman Adam Schlesinger, a longtime fan. He reached out to other indie rock stars who love The Monkees, such as Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie; Britons Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher; and Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, who have all contributed songs to the new record.
There are also songs by Dolenz, Nesmith, Tork, Harry Nilsson, Gerry Goffin and Carole King, among others.
Reunion Tour
Also to mark their 50th anniversary, Dolenz and Tork have just headed out on tour again. Mason asked Tork, "You think this could be your last tour?"
"No. We're gonna re-tour again next year," said Tork. "We'll tour 'til one of us drops. Then the other will go on as The Monkee! '"Hey, hey, it's the Monkee! And people say I monkey around..."
Reunion
Correspondent Anthony Mason with Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz and Pater Tork.
For more info:
monkees.com (Official site)
"Good Times!" by The Monkees (Rhino); available on CD and vinyl, and via digital download (Amazon, Google Play and iTunes)
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan