There's a book called The Monkees: Made in Hollywood by Tom Kemper I just got and I can't wait to read it. I want to do a creator post on it because the Monkees were all proper musicians and there was so much talent behind the songs and the show. If people only knew how much music had been created that very same way!!!
I'll read anything you write on the Monkees! I'm a long time fan who traipsed around catching sixty gazillion performances on their "comeback" 80s tour (and am also wondering why I sold all my rare Monkees albums, too!) Great to see that in the last decade or so they've been getting some of the recognition they've long deserved.
Good to hear because there are more hits to cover! How great you got to see them in the 80s. Who knows but Micky may still tour again and there'll be another chance. I don't know what shape he's in, but he seems to have an unquenchable well of enthusiasm and some great music industry pals like Todd Rundgren.
Simple but catchy. Neil Diamond was a Brill Building songwriter so he had incredible training and experience, also responsible for the Monkees top hit "A LIttle Bit Me, A Little Bit You" as well -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmYAK6WHfTM
Of the two "Believer" songs of theirs, I preferred John Stewart's "Daydream Believer," certainly in my karaoke days of a decade ago! Fun to sing, plus it seemed to be quite the crowd-rouser! I was 11 in '66, and it was a seamless transition for me from early Beatle love in '64 and following, to The Monkees and their show a couple years later!
In 7th grade, I sat behind Jan Castleberry in home room (Johnston Jr. High/Houston, TX). She was the Houston chapter prez of The Monkees Fan Club! I became a member of every rock'n'pop fan club as I could find back then! If it had a membership card and button, I was in! At one point, I managed to acquire a 3"-diameter orange button that said "Mickey Dolenz Hair" on it, and danged if it didn't have a lock of his hair on it! It looked exactly like this....for all I know, this could be mine! I sold mine at the turn of the century to a buyer on eBay: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/button-pinback-pin-monkees-micky-520323819
Very cool piece, Ellen! I could stand to do something on them!
You know, if Michael Graber says it's Micky's real hair on that button, it must be! No way to do a DNA test, unless Micky's willing to give you a sample. That is hysterical. And also the fact that you sat behind the prez of the Monkees fan club for the city of Houston in 7th grade homeroom. I wonder if Jan Castleberry is still a Monkees fan. That would be a great story if you were able to find her.
I'm a fan of "Daydream Believer" too, and a lot of their songs actually. When you look at who composed their songs, it's an incredible who's who. Carole and Gerry wrote "Pleasant Valley Sunday," Neil Diamond and Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart quite a few. You couldn't go wrong doing a post on them, Brad. They're still remarkably popular.
Having had the album (and few did!) at the time, I'd be more inclined to maybe dig into that one. An amazing array of musicians on it, and a couple of curious songwriting credits, too (did The Monkees ever do the two included Jones/Dolenz collab songs?)! A 7-year-old Ami Dolenz even makes an appearance!
Holler if you wanna do a collab on the album (one side apiece or something), OK?
I found a TV special they did that year where they take the mickey out of the Monkees, do some funny skits, as well as talk about how much the four of them like working together (ignore the momentary static):
I had no idea who played on this. Amazing! I actually hated the song but loved "Im not your Steppin' Stone"! I guess I always gravitated toward the more acid stuff.
Yes, a huge amount of talent behind the Monkees, a lot like Motown in that regard.
I think of "I'm a Believer" as doing the pony in go-go boots, whereas "Steppin' Stone" was was moving into psychedelic rock territory. As a girl the tone and message of "Steppin' Stone" was also scary, so maybe it was their way of roping in the boy audience. They were stellar marketers.
It's tonally so different from their other stuff, but it's terrific in its own way. Interestingly, Micky Dolenz is the only Monkee to perform on the track.
Great post on Steppin' Stone -- love your humorous subtitle as well as calling the song 60s punk.
I can totally see this as a workout song. Your diligence in preparing for the "Beast on the Bay" is admirable and inspiring (as I really want to get into a workout routine myself). I wish you luck with that -- I see there's not long to go.
Honestly, just getting the resolve to work out and prepare has turned my health around for the better, so it's a win no matter how the race goes. I'm not in poor health, but now being halfway through my 40s, I'm at that point where I need to maintain some level of physical fitness in order to be better off in my later years. Combining my love of music with that process has been a tremendous perk.
I'm one of their biggest fans (and therefore, defenders...).
Yeah, David! I'm so happy to hear that.
There's a book called The Monkees: Made in Hollywood by Tom Kemper I just got and I can't wait to read it. I want to do a creator post on it because the Monkees were all proper musicians and there was so much talent behind the songs and the show. If people only knew how much music had been created that very same way!!!
Thanks, Ellen
Also
Another great cover of "Stepping Stone" was that by Paul Revere and the Raiders, 1966
Yes, that one's great too -- love the shouting. (I'm often a fan of shouting and primal screaming in songs, I don't know why.)
Here's that video for anyone who wants to check it out -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXa9UoYT8lo
My favorite Monkees song.
I already know you have great taste in music, so not a surprise, Dan!
I'll read anything you write on the Monkees! I'm a long time fan who traipsed around catching sixty gazillion performances on their "comeback" 80s tour (and am also wondering why I sold all my rare Monkees albums, too!) Great to see that in the last decade or so they've been getting some of the recognition they've long deserved.
Good to hear because there are more hits to cover! How great you got to see them in the 80s. Who knows but Micky may still tour again and there'll be another chance. I don't know what shape he's in, but he seems to have an unquenchable well of enthusiasm and some great music industry pals like Todd Rundgren.
"Then I saw her face..." It's a good tune
Simple but catchy. Neil Diamond was a Brill Building songwriter so he had incredible training and experience, also responsible for the Monkees top hit "A LIttle Bit Me, A Little Bit You" as well -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmYAK6WHfTM
Of the two "Believer" songs of theirs, I preferred John Stewart's "Daydream Believer," certainly in my karaoke days of a decade ago! Fun to sing, plus it seemed to be quite the crowd-rouser! I was 11 in '66, and it was a seamless transition for me from early Beatle love in '64 and following, to The Monkees and their show a couple years later!
In 7th grade, I sat behind Jan Castleberry in home room (Johnston Jr. High/Houston, TX). She was the Houston chapter prez of The Monkees Fan Club! I became a member of every rock'n'pop fan club as I could find back then! If it had a membership card and button, I was in! At one point, I managed to acquire a 3"-diameter orange button that said "Mickey Dolenz Hair" on it, and danged if it didn't have a lock of his hair on it! It looked exactly like this....for all I know, this could be mine! I sold mine at the turn of the century to a buyer on eBay: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/button-pinback-pin-monkees-micky-520323819
Very cool piece, Ellen! I could stand to do something on them!
You know, if Michael Graber says it's Micky's real hair on that button, it must be! No way to do a DNA test, unless Micky's willing to give you a sample. That is hysterical. And also the fact that you sat behind the prez of the Monkees fan club for the city of Houston in 7th grade homeroom. I wonder if Jan Castleberry is still a Monkees fan. That would be a great story if you were able to find her.
I'm a fan of "Daydream Believer" too, and a lot of their songs actually. When you look at who composed their songs, it's an incredible who's who. Carole and Gerry wrote "Pleasant Valley Sunday," Neil Diamond and Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart quite a few. You couldn't go wrong doing a post on them, Brad. They're still remarkably popular.
The fact that I can still remember Jan Castleberry's name is astounding to me! As for Monkees, I'm sure you're aware of the "off-shoot" of Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart they did in '76 for Capitol: https://www.discogs.com/release/3763182-Dolenz-Jones-Boyce-Hart-Dolenz-Jones-Boyce-Hart
Having had the album (and few did!) at the time, I'd be more inclined to maybe dig into that one. An amazing array of musicians on it, and a couple of curious songwriting credits, too (did The Monkees ever do the two included Jones/Dolenz collab songs?)! A 7-year-old Ami Dolenz even makes an appearance!
Holler if you wanna do a collab on the album (one side apiece or something), OK?
I did not know about Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart, but not surprised you had the album! Some of the song titles are quite funny, take a listen to "You Didn't Feel That Way Last Night" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A3E0AP9bLE&list=OLAK5uy_n24fz8jbaFhO_M2sb6Vy1OTS4J1IwST60&index=8
I found a TV special they did that year where they take the mickey out of the Monkees, do some funny skits, as well as talk about how much the four of them like working together (ignore the momentary static):
Part 1 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwvlhjjPsuo
Part 2 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AnQnkG4FII
Those guys were having a blast together.
Yeah, let's do a post. You know me and comedy. Let me listen to the entire album and get back to you.
I had no idea who played on this. Amazing! I actually hated the song but loved "Im not your Steppin' Stone"! I guess I always gravitated toward the more acid stuff.
Yes, a huge amount of talent behind the Monkees, a lot like Motown in that regard.
I think of "I'm a Believer" as doing the pony in go-go boots, whereas "Steppin' Stone" was was moving into psychedelic rock territory. As a girl the tone and message of "Steppin' Stone" was also scary, so maybe it was their way of roping in the boy audience. They were stellar marketers.
Love both songs! I wrote about "Steppin' Stone" as part of an occasional series spotlighting songs I have on my running/exercise playlist.
https://chartchat.substack.com/p/running-up-the-charts-the-monkees
It's tonally so different from their other stuff, but it's terrific in its own way. Interestingly, Micky Dolenz is the only Monkee to perform on the track.
Great post on Steppin' Stone -- love your humorous subtitle as well as calling the song 60s punk.
I can totally see this as a workout song. Your diligence in preparing for the "Beast on the Bay" is admirable and inspiring (as I really want to get into a workout routine myself). I wish you luck with that -- I see there's not long to go.
Just over a month away! 😳
Honestly, just getting the resolve to work out and prepare has turned my health around for the better, so it's a win no matter how the race goes. I'm not in poor health, but now being halfway through my 40s, I'm at that point where I need to maintain some level of physical fitness in order to be better off in my later years. Combining my love of music with that process has been a tremendous perk.