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Photo credit: “Shutterstock.AI” In the year 1967, there was a group that outsold every other artist in the music business. It wasn’t The Beatles. It wasn’t The Beach Boys. It wasn’t The Rolling Stones. And it definitely wasn’t Gary Puckett & the Union Gap. No, it was The Monkees! Even though they had the derisive nickname of “The Prefab Four” — a reference to the group being assembled solely for the purposes of their TV show — their music was good, not to mention extremely popular. Classics like I’m a Believer, Last Train to Clarksville, and Daydream Believer have held up well over time. We only wish we could say the same about the group itself. Sadly, Micky Dolenz is the only remaining Monkee, but he is proudly carrying on the legacy. Speaking at a recent panel devoted to the group at Gallatin Comic Con, Dolenz talked about the immediate chemistry that he,...

The Beatles‘ “A Day in the Life” is the band’s magnum opus because of the way it combines multiple genres and tones to create a miniature symphony. Interestingly, The Monkees released a song with a lot of the same elements. A member of the Prefab Four revealed that the tune was inspired by one of his interactions with the Fab Four.

What is going on in The Beatles’ ‘A Day in the Life?’

The reason why “A Day in the Life” is so great is that, initially, the different parts of the song feel like non-sequiturs. What do the lyrics about a death in a car crash, going to the movies, and combing your hair have in common? Nothing. The tune is held together by some discordant cacophonies that say more than any words could. The reason why the song switches back and forth between sounding cute and sounding...

The Monkees were quietly one of the most influential music acts of their generation. With four No. 1 albums in one year (a feat that has yet to be topped), the musical partnership of Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz, and Davy Jones remains beloved to this day. Many great musical artists have covered their songs, but a U2 version with Davy Jones taking the lead on one of The Monkees’ greatest hits was a real banger.

U2’s cover of ‘Daydream Believer’ leveled up when Davy Jones joined a live singalong

U2 toured their PopMart series of shows throughout 1997, poking fun at the themes of consumerism and pop culture.

However, there was no mocking the sheer joy the band displayed when covering The Monkees’ “Daydream Believer.” The Edge took the lead on the song’s vocals throughout the tour, and the crowd was encouraged to join him for a rocking version of the pop classic.

David Letterman is calling Teri Garr, who died Tuesday, one of his “all time favorite guests,” while Garr’s Mr. Mom costar Michael Keaton laments “a day I feared and knew was coming.” And Richard Dreyfuss, who costarred with Garr in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, remembers her as “vibrant, playful and so funny.”

The late, great Teri Garr, who brightened everything from sitcoms, variety shows, talk shows, some of the funniest movies ever made and even the occasional drama is being remembered by co-stars and colleagues today for the light she was.

“I adored Teri,” tweeted Dreyfuss. “She was vibrant, playful and so funny. Her essence created an ease in every scene we did together.

The Monkees‘ hardest-rocking hit might be “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone.” Surprisingly, the song was originally by another classic rock band. The band in question didn’t give “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” the same bite that the Prefab Four did.

The Monkees’ ‘(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone’ was originally by Paul Revere & the Raiders

“(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” debuted on Paul Revere & the Raiders’ album Midnight Ride. This version of the track has some cutting, growling vocals, and it works pretty well. Paul Revere & the Raiders had more credibility in rock ‘n’ roll circles back in the day. For that reason, one might expect their version to be harder than The Monkees’.

But that’s not the case. When The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz recorded “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” he didn’t quite sing it — he wailed it. It’s shockingly abrasive for a bubblegum hit.

Freestyle Digital Media is gearing up to release the horror-comedy The Zombie Wedding, a unique blend of romance and the undead. Set to debut on Cable and Digital VOD platforms including Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, and more on 13th September 2024, the film will also play in select theatres across the US. It’s the first feature film from Weekly World News Studios, launching their IP-driven slate of movie projects.

The concept of The Zombie Wedding is as quirky as it sounds: a young New Jersey couple chooses to go ahead with their nuptials amidst a full-blown zombie apocalypse. What makes the story even more unconventional? The groom is already a zombie, while the bride is still human. As the day approaches, tensions rise not just between the undead and the living, but also between their two vastly different families.

Adapted from an interactive play of the same name, The Zombie Wedding...

V/H/S/Beyond: "V/H/S/Beyond, the seventh installment of the V/H/S franchise will feature six new bloodcurdling tapes, placing horror at the forefront of a sci-fi-inspired hellscape."

Directed by

Jordan Downey (ThanksKilling, The Head Hunter)

Christian Long & Justin Long (Jeepers Creepers, Barbarian)

Justin Martinez (V/H/S, Southbound)

Virat Pal (Recapture)

Kate Siegel (Hush, "The Haunting of Hill House")

and a special presentation by

Jay Cheel (How To Build A Time Machine)

Premiering On Shudder October 4th

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Watch the Stop Motion Horror Short It Came From Beyond The Drain: "It Came From Beyond the Drain A man and his dog must defend themselves from a creature that erupts from beneath their kitchen sink. Directed by Adam Ciolfi"

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Director's Cut: "Happy Halloween, horror fans! Director's Cut, from filmmaker Don Capria, is slated to arrive in select cinemas this October 31st, and hits VOD later this Autumn! A riotous slasher throwback that pays tribute...

The first title to launch the Weekly World News IP-driven studio slate of movie projects is The Zombie Wedding, and Freestyle Digital Media has set a September release date for the romantic horror-comedy. Additionally, they’ve provided us with the exclusive trailer reveal.

Freestyle has scheduled a limited theatrical and VOD release date of September 13, 2024.

On September 13, there will be also be special Friday the 13th screening of The Zombie Wedding in New York City at the rock club/lounge The Cutting Room.

The Zombie Wedding will hit theaters in the following U.S. cities:

Los Angeles Chicago Atlanta Houston Denver

The Zombie Wedding tells the story of what happens when a young New Jersey couple decides to go through with their dream wedding – during the Zombie Apocalypse. Unfortunately, the bride is a human, and the groom is a zombie. Both families are fearful, but the humans’ behavior is downright beastly.

The Monkees didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but two of them agreed on the identity of their favorite Beatle. The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork both referred to the same Beatle as their favorite. They both explained why one member of the band connected to them the most. Notably, the Beatle in question has a reputation for being charismatic.

1 of The Monkees was drinking buddies with 2 Beatles

The Monkees and The Beatles are often compared to one another and they followed similar career trajectories. Both groups started out making bubblegum pop before going psychedelic and breaking up in the early 1970s. Beyond that, the bands crossed paths interpersonally.

During a 2017 interview with Cleveland Scene, Dolenz discussed interacting with three of The Beatles. “I would say by far the person I spent the most time with probably would have been Ringo,” Dolenz shares. “He moved out to LA and spent...

One of The Monkees watched The Beatles create a famous part of “A Day in the Life.” Around the same time, The Monkees released their own song that was similarly avant-garde. Both of the songs are five-star classics.

The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz saw The Beatles’ record ‘A Day in the Life’ at a party

During a 2017 interview with Cleveland Scene, Dolenz explained that The Monkees’ sitcom was “about this band that was trying to be The Beatles. Trying to be famous. But on the television show, we never were [famous]. It was the struggle for success that was part of the theme of the show and I think that endeared it to a lot of kids — kids who were in their garages and basements trying to be famous.”

The connection between the Fab Four and the Prefab Four extended beyond that. Dolenz was present for the recordings of certain tracks of Sgt.

Exclusive: Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, has acquired North American rights to the romantic comedy The Zombie Wedding. The film is based on the eponymous interactive play and is the first title to launch the Weekly World News IP-driven studio slate of movie projects. Freestyle Digital Media is planning a fall 2024 release date.

The Zombie Wedding tells the story of what happens when a young New Jersey couple decides to go through with their dream wedding during the zombie apocalypse. Unfortunately, the bride is a human and the groom is a zombie. Both families are fearful, but the humans’ behavior is downright beastly. When the Zombies become brain-deprived, the ceremony takes a turn for the weird. Weekly World News reporters cover this wild, wacky wedding – while trying to get out alive.

Written by Greg D’Alessandro, The Zombie Wedding was directed...

Once edited, specific episodes of The Monkees ran shorter than their allotted time. Therefore, producers would film interviews with their cast to fill the void. In one installment, Mike Nesmith called himself a “loser” before succeeding as a television star. He predicted that if success didn’t come, he would have ended up “in jail or dead.”

Mike Nesmith called himself ‘a loser’ before finding success on ‘The Monkees’

Alongside Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork, Mike Nesmith found success beyond his wildest dreams as a cast member of The Monkees series. However, before success hit, he had a bleak outlook on his chance for success.

Nesmith sat down for an interview to fill time for one of the series’ episodes that ran short. He made a shocking admission about what others thought of him before finding fame.

The producer asked, “Since the show’s been on for a few weeks,...

For my money, the Monkees are way, way more interesting than the Beatles. 

According to Andrew Sandoval's thorough and invaluable book "The Monkees: The Day-By-Day Story of the '60s TV Pop Sensation," an ad was put in Variety and the Hollywood Reporter on September 8, 1965, looking for "four insane boys" to be the members of a new pre-fabricated pop band. The band would also star in a TV series -- deliberately meant to evoke Richard Lester's 1964 Beatles film "A Hard Day's Night" -- that would use their real names, but present their lives as a fictional merry-go-round of kooky shenanigans. 

The producers zeroed in on former child actor Micky Dolenz, a friend of musician Stephen Stills named Peter Tork, a British, boyish heartthrob named Davy Jones, and heir to the Liquid Paper fortune, Mike Nesmith. Their TV series debuted on September 12, 1966, the week after "Star Trek" debuted, and...

Rolling Stone interview series Unknown Legends features long-form conversations between senior writer Andy Greene and veteran musicians who have toured and recorded alongside icons for years, if not decades. All are renowned in the business, but some are less well known to the general public. Here, these artists tell their complete stories, giving an up-close look at life on music’s A list. This edition features guitarist Christian Nesmith.

Christian Nesmith can’t even count the number of times he’s walked offstage, bursting with pride and adrenaline after playing an amazing concert,...

John Lennon‘s Walls and Bridges was recorded during a famous stretch of his life known as his “Lost Weekend.” John felt the record reflected the “Lost Weekend” and he was surprised it wasn’t just a bunch of screams. Walls and Bridges produced two of John’s most famous songs and they don’t sound anything like each other.

John Lennon’s ‘Walls and Bridges’ came from a time when fraternized with many big stars

According to Variety, John went through a period known as his “Lost Weekend” in 1973 and 1974. During that era, he partied a lot, did some soul searching, and spent time with fellow rockers such as Harry Nilsson, Alice Cooper, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, and Elton John’s writing partner, Bernie Taupin. That group of friends, and a few others, collectively became known as The Hollywood Vampires.

During a 1975 interview from Rolling Stone, John discussed Walls and Bridges,...

R.E.M. have been retired for more than a decade, but fans of the band will still have a chance to catch a live performance of their 1983 debut album Murmur in the near future. That’s because actor Michael Shannon and guitarist Jason Narducy have announced a seven-date US tour, during they’ll perform Mumur and other early R.E.M. songs.

With accompaniment from Jon Wurster (drums), Dag Juhlin (guitar), Nick Macri (bass), and Vijay Tellis-Nayak (piano), Shannon and Narducy will visit Minneapolis, Athens, D.C., Brooklyn, and more throughout February 2024. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 29th.

“I have been a fan of R.E.M. since my cousin played me the Document cassette out at my Aunt Norma’s trailer,” said Shannon in a statement. “I spent days and hours stumbling around my hometown of Lexington, Ky listening to Murmur on my Walkman, long before the notion of...

Micky Dolenz — the sole surviving member of The Monkees — has announced a new EP of R.E.M. covers. Aptly titled Dolenz Sings R.E.M, it’s out on November 3rd. In anticipation, Dolenz has shared the lead single: his version of “Shiny Happy People.” Stream the song below.

In addition to “Shiny Happy People,” the four-song EP will feature Dolenz’s renditions of “Radio Free Europe,” “Man on the Moon,” and “Leaving New York.” The project will be released via 7A Records, and will be available on special yellow vinyl. Pre-orders are ongoing.

As revealed in a new interview with Rolling Stone, the multi-generational mash-up was the result of a conversation Dolenz had with 7A Records co-owner Glenn Gretlund. “I was talking to Glenn about what to do next,” Dolenz explained. “The band R.E.M. came up. I went, ‘Wow, that’s very cool.’ I’m a big fan… And I...

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Andy Partridge was asked if The Beatles’ “Rocky Raccoon” influenced Xtc’s “Dear God.” He discussed how a book inspired “Dear God.” The Beatles’ “Rocky Raccoon” was covered by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.

Xtc’s “Dear God” may have been inspired by The Beatles‘ “Rocky Raccoon.” A member of Xtc explained why people identified him with “Rocky Raccoon” during his time in college. In addition, “Rocky Raccoon” was covered by Micky Dolenz of The Monkees.

Xtc’s Andy Partridge could only play The Beatles’ ‘Rocky Raccoon’ in college

Andy Partridge is a singer and songwriter from the band Xtc. In the 2013 book The Art of Noise: Conversations with Great Songwriters, Partridge was asked if Paul McCartney’s guitar picking on “Rocky Raccoon” influenced Xtc’s “Dear God.” “Not totally, no,” he replied. “My nickname at Swindon Art College was Rocky because ‘Rocky Raccoon’ was the only song...

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The Monkees’ theme inspired the most successful song by a 2000s band. A music executive thought the 2000s song was much older because of its style. The track in question was a bigger hit than The Monkees’ theme.

The Monkees‘ theme became one of the most famous theme songs in the history of television. Subsequently, it was quoted in a hit song from a 2000s band. The music of the 1960s heavily influenced the band in question.

The Thrills’ ‘Big Sur’ tips its hat to The Monkees’ theme

The Thrills were an Irish rock band that had a few hits in the United Kingdom during the 2000s. Their single “Big Sur” couldn’t possibly be more influenced by the music of the 1960s. The instrumentation is reminiscent of The Beach Boys, the vocals sound like Neil Young, and the lyrics reference The Monkees’ theme.

“Big Sur” is a...

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The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz discussed how the band’s supervisor, Don Kirshner, helped them. Dolenz dumped ice on Kirshner and that became an “urban legend.” Kirhsner was later dismissed.

The Monkees‘ Micky Dolenz said the band often improvised on TV. Subsequently, he dumped ice on The Monkees’ supervisor, Don Kirshner, in the studio. Kirshner then told Dolenz how he expected to be treated.

Micky Dolenz dumped ice on The Monkees’ supervisor because he said something silly

Don Kirshner was The Monkees’ music supervisor. During a 2020 interview with Forbes, Dolenz discussed a famous anecdote about Kirshner. “Donnie Kirshner was responsible to some degree in picking The Monkees songs because he was head of Screen Gems Columbia Music in the famous Brill Building in New York,” he said. “He was the Brill Building during that period, along with those incredible writers like Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, Carole King and Gerry Goffin,...

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Neil Diamond said The Beatles had a huge impact on how songwriters were treated. He said The Monkees changed his career as well. Diamond sang a medley of The Beatles’ tracks “Golden Slumbers,” “Carry That Weight,” and “The End.”

Neil Diamond said The Beatles helped give him a career. Notably, he wrote a massive hit for a band inspired by The Beatles. In addition, he put his own spin on several Beatles songs.

Neil Diamond was able to give The Monkees his song ‘I’m a Believer’ because of The Beatles

Diamond wrote The Monkees’ “I’m a Believer.” During a 2023 interview with NPR, Diamond said this came about because of his tune “Cherry, Cherry.” “And because of that hit, the people who were producing The Monkees called and said, we like ‘Cherry, Cherry,'” he said. “‘Do you have any other songs?'” He then gave them “I’m a Believer.

John Lennon and Harry Nilsson were good friends who often got drunk with one another, especially during Lennon’s “Lost Weekend” period. One person who the pair also spent time with was Alice Cooper. Cooper recalled hanging out with the two musicians and having to play referee between the two, as they loved getting into fights with each other.

Alice Cooper would break up fights between John Lennon and Harry Nilsson

During Lennon’s “Lost Weekend” in the early 1970s, the former Beatle had a few public outbursts with Nilsson. The pair would get drunk and cause a scene. One example of this occurred at a nightclub in Las Vegas where Lennon got ejected for asking singer Frankie Valli to perform a lewd act on stage.

Lennon and Nilsson often hung out with the Hollywood Vampires, a drinking club with several stars who stayed out in Hollywood after hours. One...

Eddie Munster himself, Butch Patrick, will be appearing alongside The Munster Koach and Dragula at NorthEast Comic Con’s Collectibles Extravaganza at the Boxboro Regency Hotel in Boxborough, Ma on June 30-July 2.

Patrick starred on The Munsters from 1964 to 1966 and in the 1966 film Munster, Go Home. Last year, he made a voice cameo as The Tin Can Man in Rob Zombie’s reboot. The child actor turned car enthusiast will discuss his career in a panel on Saturday afternoon.

Other guests include The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz, Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordon), The Runaways’ Cherie Currie, Ramones’ Richie Ramone, Michael Des Barres (Ghoulies), Keone Young (Deadwood), former Megadeth guitarists Richie Ramone and Chris Poland, Marvel Zombies cover artist Arthur Suydam, and more.

In addition to the celebrities meeting fans, signing autographs, and taking pictures all weekend, there will also be panels, pop culture vehicles, live music and entertainment, cosplay, dozens of exhibitors and vendors,...

The very first episode of The Monkees, “Royal Flush,” won the series‘ director an Emmy Award in 1967. The Monkees‘ creators, Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider won their own golden statuettes in the Best Comedy Series category that same legendary evening.

Davy Jones is seated on the sand in front of fellow ‘The Monkees’ co-stars Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Micky Dolenz in ‘Royal Flush’ | Keystone Features/Getty Images The first episode of ‘The Monkees’ was ‘Royal Flush’

The Monkees episodes may not have been the first to feature slapstick on television. However, the series was one of the first to include music shorts within each 30-minute episode.

Viewers were treated to a new music montage each week, driving The Monkees‘ record sales to number one on the Billboard Charts. However, the series also found a home with viewers who enjoyed its light humor.

In the series very first episode, “Royal Flush,...

The Monkees Peter Tork achieved many bucket list moments as a member of the iconic 1960s pop rock band. However, one of his most significant early achievements as a Monkees member involved getting “the crew to dance” during an on-set jam session with Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, and Davy Jones.

The Monkees members included Mike Nesmith, Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Peter Tork admitted The Monkees ‘never rehearsed’ before getting the TV ‘crew to dance’

In 1982, Peter Tork appeared on Late Night with David Letterman. He discussed his career and the impact being a member of The Monkees had on his life.

During one key interview moment, Tork discussed what he said was the quartet’s lack of rehearsal before filming the first episode. However, that didn’t stop Tork, Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, and Davy Jones from watching one unforgettable moment unfold before their eyes.

Despite starring in The Monkees‘ first and only feature film, Head, in 1968, Peter Tork still didn’t understand its premise. He admits he had to watch the edgy movie upwards of 80 times before he realized what bothered him about it.

Peter Tork in a photoshoot while on the set of The Monkees | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Peter Tork admits it took almost 80 viewings of ‘Head’ before he got it

The 1968 film Head was a watershed moment in The Monkees’ career. The film depicted a series of vignettes amounting to a loosely interpretive message by the band signaling the end of their pop star personas.

The film included scenes of Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones chanting, “Hey hey, we are the Monkees, you know we like to please/A manufactured image, with no philosophies” over a series of TV screens playing first clips from the film.

The Monkees are best known for pop-rock and tunes typical of the mid to late 1960s. However, in rare interview footage, Micky Dolenz admitted that the sound fans knew and loved was a mashup of different styles the band’s members loved. He claimed there never was a “group sound.”

The Monkees members photographed on the set of their television show included Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork | Bettmann/Getty Images Micky Dolenz once claimed there was never a ‘group sound’ of The Monkees

Micky Dolenz shared his opinion regarding The Monkees’ music in a rare 1968 interview with Monkees bandmates Mike Nesmith, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork for the Hy Lit Show. He claimed the band never had a “group sound.”

At the clip’s 3:10 mark, Dolenz discussed the band’s music and their first and only feature film, Head. He and his fellow bandmates shared...

Mike Nesmith always had a soft spot for The Monkees‘ only feature film, Head. The 1968 film was misunderstood by many critics and fans of the band who were used to the casual hijinks of the quartet’s NBC series. However, Nesmith discussed how the film had a hidden meaning missed by many. He claimed the film poked “a lot of fun at The Monkees’ expense.”

The Monkees in a scene from the feature film ‘Head’ | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Mike Nesmith shared in a rare interview the intentions of the movie ‘Head’

Mike Nesmith shared the purposes of the group’s first feature film in a rare interview with Monkees bandmates Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork for the Hy Lit Show. Head, he explained, poked “a lot of fun” at the expense of its stars.

“The most fun was the character assassination,” Nesmith said of the darker...

Along with being a member of The Monkees, Mike Nesmith was a stellar songwriter. His composition “Different Drum” became a hit for The Greenbriar Boys and The Stone Poneys. However, his own recorded version included a verse that ultimately changed the meaning of the entire song. Here are all the details.

Linda Ronstadt and Mike Nesmith in side-by-side photographs taken in the 1960s | Bettmann/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Mike Nesmith’s extra verse changed the overall intent of Linda Ronstadt’s version of ‘Different Drum’

Nesmith started writing and performing music in the early 1960s under the name “Michael Blessing.” He found some small success as a songwriter with a fusion of country and rock.

During that period, Nesmith wrote “Different Drum.” The song tells the story of a pair of lovers. One wants to settle down, while the other wants to retain a sense of freedom and independence.

Historically, The Monkees were not known for controversial songs and lyrics. However, in the latter part of their career, Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith, and Davy Jones were a trio. As a group, they became way more experimental than the bubblegum pop tunes attached to their NBC series of two years. Dolenz wrote one song, in particular, that he deemed “too controversial” to be a pop staple. But that didn’t stop him from tackling some heavy subjects in its lyrics.

Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork of The Monkees | NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images Micky Dolenz once called this little-known Monkees song one ‘my best’

The album The Monkees Present contained plenty of gems. However, it came at a time when interest in the band began to wane. The Monkees Present only reached No. 100 on the Billboard Chart.

Dolenz wrote a then-controversial song titled “Mommy and Daddy,...

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Peter Tork resented the idea that the member of The Monkees were disposable. He felt the band’s producers got good performers for the job although they didn’t want “professionals.” Each member of the group contributed something that made the Prefab Four a classic bubblegum band. The Monkees | Bettmann / Contributor

The Monkees weren’t always the most critically respected group. Subsequently, The Monkees’ Peter Tork said the band couldn’t have just been “any four guys.” He was right about the Prefab Four.

The Monkees’ Peter Tork felt his band’s members had ‘a certain magic’

It’s well known that The Beatles’s work, particularly their comedy films A Hard Day’s Night and Help!, were a big influence on The Monkees’ sitcom. During a 2013 interview with Guitar World, Tork discussed the connection. “The producers [of the TV show] were Beatles fans themselves,” he said. “They weren’t just old,...

Many of The Monkees‘ earliest hits followed a traditional music and lyric formula popular in the mid-1960s. However, as the group evolved as songwriters and musicians, their tunes became more experimental. Micky Dolenz penned one memorable song, written from the perspective of a cat and included on the band’s 1969 LP Instant Replay, that followed that guideline. To remind their followers how great the song was, the band’s official social media page honored the frisky feline with a sweet post.

The Monkees’ Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, and Micky Dolenz in the recording studio | Gems/Redferns/Getty Images The Monkees’ ‘Instant Replay’ included three out of four original band members

After filming their only feature film, Head, The Monkees said goodbye to Peter Tork. He left the band after six albums and two seasons of their television series.

Tork contributed to six Monkees albums in total. These included The Monkees,...

The Monkees‘ earliest hits spoke of girls, love, and good times. However, as they evolved as musicians and grew in the public eye, their music also changed. Songs with more topical themes were explored in the band’s fourth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Jones Ltd. One included a song that exposed how musicians felt about groupies in the 1960s.

The Monkees members included Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, and Peter Tork | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images The Monkees released ‘Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.’ in 1967

Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. was the fourth album of four released by The Monkees. It was their final LP of 1967.

With that record, The Monkees broke a record that remains. Per Billboard, the band had four number-one albums in one calendar year.

The group dropped their eponymous debut album at the end of 1966, where it remained locked at the number one position for eight weeks.

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All members of The Monkees wrote a jazz song called “Goin’ Down” with help from another songwriter. Micky Dolenz initially sang the song a lot slower than it appeared on record. “Goin’ Down” was the B-side to The Monkees’ classic No. 1 single “Daydream Believer.” All members of The Monkees | James Jackson / Stringer

The members of The Monkees usually didn’t write their own songs. Despite this, all Monkees members came together to write a jazz song. Notably, the song in question was inspired by an earlier classic jazz track.

Micky Dolenz said members of The Monkees deserved credit along with their songwriters

During a 2019 interview with Wonderlust, Dolenz discussed how The Monkees made their music. “I was blessed to be part of it,” he said. “The Monkees was not just the four of us.

“It was songwriters [an all-star lineup of Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Neil Sedaka, Neil Diamond],” he added. “It was producers.

The Monkees‘ ballads were some of the best of their time. They released many of their best ballads during their 1960s peak. Despite this, they also put out an all-time great ballad in 2016.

The Monkees | Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer 5. ‘Daydream Believer’

Of The Monkees’ ballads, The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits says “Daydream Believer” is their only one to top the Billboard Hot 100. And who could deny power of the song? That tinkling piano, those horns, and Davy Jones’ great vocal performance are pop music heaven. “Daydream Believer” was also the band’s final No. 1 single, making it more bittersweet. Notably, The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye” knocked the song off the top of the chart. Considering The Monkees were inspired by The Beatles, that’s like the Prefab Four coming full circle!

4. ‘I Wanna Be Free’

“I Wanna Be Free” is a song about not committing to one partner. That’s...

Like most musicians, The Monkees Mike Nesmith felt the influence of Elvis Presley’s music as a young man. Presley made his mark on the sounds of the 1950s and early 60s and how musicians performed. However, Presley’s influence went way beyond his music for The Monkees guitarist. Nesmith and the king of rock and roll had a legendary history together without meeting.

Elvis Presley and Mike Nesmith shared a musical connection but never met | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Elvis Presley became a rock and roll superstar 12 years before The Monkees’ debut

Shortly after graduating from Humes High School in June 1953, Elvis Presley began to explore the idea of a music career. That July, he entered Sun Studios, where he cut a 45-rpm record, “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin.”

One year later, in 1954, Presley, Scotty Moore, and Bill Black entered Sun Studios to record “That’s All Right Mama.

Some of The Beatles‘ songs are perfect for kids. After all, Paul McCartney said one of the Fab Four’s most famous hits was meant for children. In addition, one of The Beatles’ greatest social statements works for kids.

The Beatles | Bettmann / Contributor 5. ‘Yellow Submarine’

“Yellow Submarine” is like a Dr. Seuss story in song. It has everything a kid’s song needs: a magical faraway land, silly sound effects, and a lot of whimsy.

In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul discussed his intentions in writing “Yellow Submarine.” “I remember thinking that a children’s song would be quite a good idea and I thought of images, and the color yellow came to me, and a submarine came to me, and I thought, ‘Well, that’s kind of nice, like a toy, very childish yellow submarine,” he recalled.

“I was thinking of it as a song for Ringo,...

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Micky Dolenz said one of The Monkees’ albums proved they “were a pretty damn good band.” In addition, he said The Monkees were not a real band, they were the cast of a sitcom. The album in question features recordings of several famous songs. The Monkees | Bettmann / Contributor

Micky Dolenz said one of The Monkees‘ albums is “very punk.” In addition, he said The Monkees were the first garage band. Notably, The Monkees’ “punk” album was not a hit, even though it features recordings of several famous songs.

Micky Dolenz said 1 of The Monkees’ albums could not have happened early in their career

The Monkees’ Headquarters was their first album to feature major input from the members of the Prefab Four. Dolenz even wrote the most famous song from the album: “Randy Scouse Git.” During a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, Dolenz said Headquarters could not have been The Monkees’ first album.

Presidents of the United States (both sitting and former) have won. So have former Beatles. And a First Lady. And a lot of other unlikely movie types. The truth is, with so many Primetime Emmy Awards handed out – well over 100 annually – it’s easy for some intriguing victors in both the deeper past and more recently to slip through the cracks.

So as a public service, here are a few dozen-plus Emmy winners you may have missed.

Barack Obama – Yes, our 44th President took home an Emmy trophy in 2022 as best narrator for an episode of the doc series “Our Great National Parks.” He thus became the second President to be so honored. To find out the first, see below. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr – It may have escaped your gaze, but the former Beatles won an Emmy last year for top documentary/nonfiction series (shared with Peter Jackson and...

By the time The Monkees began production of their first and only feature film, Head, they had undergone a metamorphosis as both performers and a music group. Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, Davy Jones, and Micky Dolenz evolved from hired actors to pop music phenomena over the course of three years. Therefore, to depict this, the music for Head was just as pivotal as the script itself. Subsequently, Monkees producer Bob Rafelson said one song was “critical” to the soundtrack. Here are all the details.

Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, Davy Jones, and Mike Nesmith of The Monkees | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images How did The Monkees get involved with ‘Head’?

The last episode of The Monkees Emmy-winning television show aired in March 1968, during its second and final filming season. Moreover, the world’s cultural climate appeared to be in upheaval. The series seemed out of step with the times.

The Monkees...

The Monkees were lucky enough to have prolific songwriters working behind the scenes to craft songs for their music catalog. Many came from New York’s Brill Building, where they worked for the show’s music producer, Don Kirshner. One of these songwriters was Carole King, who, along with her husband Gerry Goffin, wrote tunes on almost every Monkees album except one, perhaps the most important of the band’s career.

Carole King wrote some of The Monkees’ most beloved hits but was excluded from one album | Michael Ochs Archives/Jim McCrary/Getty Images/ The Monkees’ biggest hits came from the songwriting team of Carole King and Gerry Goffin

Don Kirshner handpicked husband and wife songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin to write songs for The Monkees. King’s music and Goffin’s lyrics perfectly captured the pop sensibilities of the 1960s.

Together and separately, King and Goffin wrote songs...

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One of The Monkees’ songs was inspired by The Beatles’ “Yesterday.” Another one of The Monkees’ songs was inspired by The Beatles’ “Day Tripper.” The latter song has a classic opening guitar riff. The Beatles | Fiona Adams / Contributor

The Beatles‘ songs and The Monkees’ songs often get compared to one another. Some Monkees songs have an awesome Beatles vibe. For example, one Prefab Four tune was consciously inspired by “Yesterday.”

4. ‘Let’s Dance On’

“Let’s Dance On” is a great dance song. It has a bit of a resemblance to The Beatles’ version of “Twist and Shout.” Regardless, “Let’s Dance On” is one of the best tunes from The Monkees’ self-titled album. “Let’s Dance On” probably could have been a hit single but, alas, it languishes in obscurity. Hopefully, a new movie or show will make “Let’s Dance On” famous.

3. ‘I Wanna Be Free’

Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart,...

One of The Monkees‘ most prolific singalong hits, “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” appeared on their classic album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Jones Ltd. Written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, the song was inspired by a street near the couple’s suburban New Jersey home. However, the song’s lyrics had a darker edge than fans realized.

Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Mike Nesmith are the cast of ‘The Monkees’ | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday’ was a Monkees smash

The single peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1967. At the number one position was Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe,” followed by The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

The Monkees held steady at number three. In addition, rounding out the top five in the first week of August 1967 was The Doors’ “Light My Fire” and Aretha Franklin’s “Baby I Love You.

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The Monkees’ “Last Train to Clarksville” became their first hit in the United States. It became a No. 1 single in the U.S. and its parent album was even more successful. The song was not nearly as popular when it was released in the United Kingdom. The Monkees | Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer

The first version of The Monkees‘ “Last Train to Clarksville” came together in 45 minutes. That version of the song had no lead vocals. Subsequently, Micky Dolenz added his magic to the track.

A songwriter behind The Monkees’ ‘Last Train to Clarksville’ tells all

Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart co-wrote many Monkees songs under the name Boyce & Hart. In Hart’s 2015 book Psychedelic Bubble Gum: Boyce & Hart, The Monkees, and Turning Mayhem Into Miracles, Hart discussed how the first version of “Last Train to Clarksville” came together in the studio.

“The Musicians’ Union allowed music producers to...

The Monkees may have started their music careers as a television show band. However, the prefab four quickly morphed into one of the most beloved groups of musicians of the 1960s. Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones broke records and became radio mainstays during that decade. However, some of their best songs never made the Billboard top 10. Here are 5 Monkees songs that should have been hits.

Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, and Mike Nesmith cranked out dozens of hits, but some fan favorites never topped the charts | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 1. ‘Porpoise Song’ (1968)

In the late 1960s, The Monkees were on a downturn. Their eponymous television show ended. Peter Tork was exiting the band.

However, one bright song crafted for the band appeared in their feature film Head. Written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, “Porpoise Song” is a beloved tune that occurs at the...

The Monkees‘ Mike Nesmith couldn’t make sense of his band’s success. Subsequently, he discussed what he thought about them potentially entering the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Notably, the group was a hit from the beginning.

The Monkees’ Mike Nesmith | Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer Why Mike Nesmith turned down a chance to write with Carole King

Numerous famous songwriters wrote tunes for The Monkees, including Neil Diamond, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Neil Sedaka, and Harry Nilsson. During a 2014 interview with App, Nesmith was asked if he learned anything from the work of these songwriters.

“Actually, a lot of what they did was lost on me,” he said. “I had no real understanding of the pop song — or even the pop culture — which is to say pop art. That understanding developed much later for me.”

Nesmith said King asked to write a song with him. He was intimidated...

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The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz sang The Beatles’ “Rocky Raccoon” during a celebration of The White Album. He said performing “Rocky Raccoon” made him want to cry at one point. “Rocky Raccoon” inspired covers by several other classic rock singers including Jimmy Buffett. The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork | NBC / Contributor

The Monkees‘ Micky Dolenz once performed The Beatles’ “Rocky Raccoon.” Subsequently, he said he wants one of The Monkees’ songs to sound like “Rocky Raccoon” when he performs it live. Notably, “Rocky Raccoon” inspired several other covers by famous singers.

Micky Dolenz planned on performing a whole album of Monkees songs in a concert series

During a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, Dolenz was asked if he planned to perform every song from The Monkees’ album Headquarters on his upcoming tour. “Based on the rehearsals … I can’t promise this, but based on the rehearsals, we are,” he said.

Mike Nesmith starred alongside Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz, and Davy Jones in The Monkees television show. The zany primetime series, which ran for two seasons between 1966 and 1968, was hugely popular. However, behind the scenes, not every cast member appeared in every episode. Here are three reasons Mike Nesmith didn’t film specific episodes of The Monkees.

Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones film a scene from ‘The Monkees’ television series | Betmann/Getty Images ‘The Monkees’ series featured zany storylines

Many of the storylines filmed for The Monkees were unrealistic and zany in context. The series documented the life of a struggling rock and roll band who lived in a California beach house.

Furthermore, The Monkees always seemed to get themselves into unlikely situations. Likewise, these often included crossing paths with royalty, bad guys, and other assorted characters, which caused chaos.

In his autobiography I’m A Believer,...

The Monkees‘ Micky Dolenz said one of the Everly Brothers’ songs made him cry. Subsequently, the experience inspired his own live performances. Notably, the Everly Brothers song in question was considered obscene in the 1950s.

The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz | Michael Putland / Contributor The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz really wanted to hear 1 Everly Brothers song during a live show

Davy Jones died in 2012, Peter Tork died in 2019, and Mike Nesmith died in 2021. During a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, Dolenz was asked if he wants to keep his band’s legacy alive as the last surviving member of The Monkees. Dolenz said this development was so new to him he wasn’t sure what to say about it. He then relayed a memory of seeing the Everly Brothers.

“I remember seeing the Everly Brothers on one of their reunion tours in the late ’80s at the Royal Albert Hall,” he said. “I was a huge fan.

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Carole King and Gerry Goffin co-wrote some of The Monkees’ songs that are essential classics. One of the tracks was the theme song for The Monkees’ only feature film, Head. The song in question features the sound of a dolphin or a porpoise in its mix. The Monkees | James Jackson / Stringer

Carole King wrote some of The Monkees‘ songs with her songwriting partner, Gerry Goffin. Notably, one of the songs they wrote for The Monkees became a huge hit. In addition, a Goffin-King song was recorded by The Byrds and later The Monkees.

4. ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday’

Goffin and King wrote several songs for The Monkees, but the most famous is “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the chart for 10 weeks. It’s a memorable look at suburbia and debatably the Prefab Four’s most socially conscious track. It’s also one...