The Monkees: The Original Glee Stars Who Changed Music Forever!

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As a passionate film aficionado, I can’t help but share a fascinating tidbit about the iconic group The Monkees. Micky Dolenz, the last of our quartet still with us, is eager to highlight that we, Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, and Peter Tork, were initially cast primarily as actors. However, the extraordinary success that followed transformed us into an incredibly popular band.

He notes over the phone from his LA residence that the auditions were quite extensive, involving singing, playing instruments, a touch of comedy, and demonstrating acting skills. For my audition, I played Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry on the guitar. Essentially, The Monkees did what Glee later accomplished – it was all about talent shows, just three decades ahead!

Individuals who were raised with The Monkees, as well as their descendants, have a chance to revisit the boys’ hilarious escapades on Rewind TV. When Dolenz was chosen for the role, he recalls being informed: “You will be portraying the quirky drummer.

For the young performer who was a star in Circus Boy in the ’50s, learning to ride an elephant was a challenge compared to picking up drumming skills: “I already knew how to read music, played classical guitar, and had experience with cover bands. I’d even tried my hand at drums before, so I didn’t have to learn everything from scratch.

However, it wasn’t necessary for me to master every rhythm and tempo to reach the level of a professional studio musician. Instead, I focused on learning what was essential, and I believe I achieved quite well in that regard.

The charm of The Monkees lay in their unique camaraderie. Dolenz fondly referred to Jones as “the brother I never had” upon his passing, highlighting their strong bond. Reflecting back, he says they were expertly cast, as they genuinely connected, particularly in comedic scenes.

From the age of 10, he had always adhered to scripts. However, on The Monkees, they encouraged us to think on our feet, even training us in improvisation. This was because the producers desired an authentic sense of spontaneity. It was my first experience with improvising, and I must admit, I felt a bit timid about it!

The mix of music and comedy proved effective, and the Monkees’ popularity soared significantly. The Beatles admired them, with John Lennon notably likening the Monkees to the Marx Brothers.

The zeitgeist of youth culture was at its peak. The storyline of four aspiring musicians living together in a run-down house with faulty plumbing, striving to conquer the rock ‘n’ roll scene (despite their band never actually achieving success), seemed to resonate deeply with Dolenz. He believes it captured the hearts of all those young individuals laboring in their basements and garages, dreaming of fame.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, let me share my excitement about a band I once followed. They dived straight into rehearsals and within no time, we had four UK top 10 singles under our belt! Mike Nesmith, one of the band members, vividly recalled the moment we finally hit the road for live performances: “It was like watching Pinocchio transform into a real boy!

Dolenz made an unconventional decision when selecting the opening act for their event – none other than the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Spotting them at the Monterey Festival, he noticed their flamboyant performances with costumes and special effects, finding it akin to our own style. He believed this would create an engaging blend. This choice was made prior to Hendrix gaining massive fame!

For 12 years starting from 1977, Dolenz resided in the United Kingdom, primarily working on camera for BBC and LWT. Fresh off the release of his first album in seven years titled “Live at the Troudadour”, he is set to recommence his US tour filled with “songs and stories”. With a fresh crop of fans eager to experience The Monkees, Dolenz feels optimistic about potentially expanding this enthusiasm to the UK as well.

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2025-03-12 21:36