It is kinda insane how wild the Monkees are when you look into it. They were hired for a TV show but started an internal revolution where they kicked out their music supervisor to have control of their own music. They made a movie deconstructing their image and Hollywood in general. Their music spanned several genres including some very experimental stuff that would influence later music. They met and befriended the Beatles. They wrote and/or directed some of their episodes. One of them is the son of the woman who invented liquid paper (white-out) and then he would go on to basically invent MTV before he sold the concept to those who made MTV. They have some of the first music videos. They fucked. One of them even was known for his orgies. They sometimes hated each other but still loved each other as brothers. There is an FBI file on them allegedly spreading communist and anti-american propaganda at their concerts. They had a song that had to have its lyrics changed because it was too intensely political, even alluding to JFK’s assassination not being done by Lee Harvey Oswald in 1969. Their TV show was revolutionary in structure and content. Disney stars and boy bands would not exist without them. They had Jimi Hendrix open for them. One of them was a member of the Hollywood vampires. And that isn’t even all.
And yet most people don’t take them seriously.
when you listen carefully to the bass lines, your whole world changes
i do get embarrassingly emotional when they play listen to the band
To my knowledge this is the only complete recording of the Monkees taking over a radio station during their 1967 tour. Over four hours of them goofing off, insulting advertisers, trying to figure out how to work the equipment, and playing their favorite records of course. This is fascinating!
The Monkees were in the Twin Cities for a concert and broadcast from KDWB’s “Secret City” with a remote from the hotel where the band was staying. Featuring Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones.
The recordings feature candid, silly and serious moments from The Monkees - a wonderful collection of recordings during the two days The Monkees took over the radio station.
August 3, 1967 to 4 am on August 4, 1967: Starting with coverage of the Monkees’ airplane arrival at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport followed by Michael, Peter, Micky and Davy broadcasting from “Secret City” playing records, performing a skit, and some candid comments by Micky about criticism concerning the group not playing all instruments in their songs, thoughts about The Beatles, and more. Includes KDWB personalities Charlie Brown, Earl Trout, Tac Hammer, Bobby Davis and newscast by Robert Davis. #1 30 MB - #2 21 MB (provided by Curt Lundgren)
August 4, 1967 (3:00-6:00 pm) : Mostly featuring Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork spinning records with Michael having fun insulting KDWB advertisers including Dayton’s and J A Gerber Jewelers and Peter playing the banjo. Includes newscast by Don Miller. #1 16 MB - #2 23 MB - #3 19 MB - #4 8 MB (provided by Phil Kitchen and Jeanne Anderson)
Includes commercials for J A Gerber Jewelers, Durkee Seasoned Spices, Ray Conniff “This is My Song” album, Pedwin Shoes, Baskin-Robbins, Preparation H, Heileman Old Style Beer, Minnesota Dragways, NCC Drive-In Theaters, “The Big Mouth” with Jerry Lewis (movie), Dad’s Root Beer, Mobile, Wrigley’s Spearmint Gum, Schlitz Beer, Coca Cola (sung by Ray Charles), STP, Summer Blonde Hair Spray, Honda and Hamm’s Beer.
letting a classic folkrock fan dj is always a gamble because they’re either going to play the most beautiful song you’ve ever heard or some shit like your auntie grizelda
It is crazy that sm of post 1966 Beatles is Paul being like guys, let’s get so weird with it. How about a movie where there is no plot. It’ll just be weird as fuck. And really gay. There are wizards and animals. Or hmm what about an album with um like a theme. Maybe we won’t even be us anymore? Or we do one like an opera. (Can rock albums have reprises?) I’m writing a song about a serial killer. It will take days to perfect and you’re all invited. by force
George is meanwhile like idk I wrote some stuff about my life and experiences… is that crazy or can it also exist beside the ragtime and Western gunslinger ballads and free-verse beat triptychs
Ringo is like fuck it I quit the band all this artsy gay shit is sickening……nah I’m just kiddin, hehe. I’m into it :) but I will be drinking
And John is like you guys I have written several songs about hating myself and my life. No I will not challenge Paul on the weird shit because 1) well just look at him and 2) I have actually always wanted to be really weird in front of people. In fact I’m having a listening party for some porn I recorded and you are all invited. by force
Within Andrew Yule, The Man Who “Framed” the Beatles: A Biography of Richard Lester (1994)
*smashes you over the head with a potion bottle but it was a healing potion and it heals you for the exact amount of damage i dealt you* oh… uh. hm. do you think you could just lay on the floor and pretend to be unconscious
Getting into The Monkees is so fun because you don't even have to headcanon. You dont have to go and find evidence of why they could be autistic when they're out here openly talking about their diagnosis. Peter talks about how he tops whenever he has sex with men. He talks about having a crush on Davy when they first met. I don't have to do any work they do it for me
Chappell Roan really was like "I won't endorse Harris because of the continuing genocide and the fact that the Democrats aren't protecting trans people. I am voting for Harris but won't endorse. You should expect more from your politicians and that's what I want before I endorse anyone" and got absolutely insane amounts of hatred and vitriol for that not only normal, but morally righteous take. And then because of aforementioned insane amounts of hate had to cancel shows due to mental health and then got MORE HATE. Like wow! Starting to think you don't want principled and authentic celebrities, don't care about women's feelings, and don't understand how mental illness affects people! It will entirely be entitled fans fault if she steps back forever from releasing music