THE MONKEES

MAJOR MUSIC ARTISTS - USA (AMERICA)


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The Monkees

DESCRIPTION: The Monkees

ACTIVITY STATUS: Active

ACTIVITY PERIOD: 1965 – 1971, 1986 – 1989, 1996 – 1997, 2001 – 2002, 2011 – Current

MUSIC GENRE: Pop, Rock, Pop Rock

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA (AMERICA)

RECORD COMPANIES / LABELS (Current & Past): Colgems, RCA, Bell, Arista, Rhino

OFFICIAL WEB SITE: http://monkees.com/


ABOUT THEM:

THE MONKEES
(1965-1969)
Although it has in recent years become commonplace for pop groups to be created by promoters and producers, it was virtually unheard of in the mid 1960s when the Monkees were formed. After the onslaught of British pop led by the Beatles in 1964, TV executives in Los Angeles decided to create an “American Beatles” through a television show. They auditioned and recruited during 1965, and assembled the line-up of Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork and Mickey Dolenz (who had already been a child star on TV) for the show which premiered the following year. While it’s true to say that some of the band were hired more for their acting rather than musical experience, and that early songs were written for them and much of the playing was done by session musicians, they eventually established themselves as a band in their own right. The TV show was an instant success and ran for three years, and promoted hits such as their rock debut Last Train to Clarksville, the classic I’m A Believer and the sweetly sly Pleasant Valley Sunday, and the late bloomer Daydream Believer. The band continued recording after the TV show had gone off air, but the party was basically over and they broke up, despite later attempts at a revival. They had however enjoyed an extraordinary ride, having the unique experience of starting out acting the pop stars they later became. Some theoriticians have expressed the view that their career marks the birth of postmodernism.

By Larry Buttrose

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Parent Category Page Links: Music Artists / Outfits - America

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