The Monkees - The American Beatles

The Monkees is something that I happened to learn about on accident. It was 1am on a Saturday MANY years ago, and I just remember that I had troubles falling to sleep that night, so I decided to turn in my television to see what was on. When I passed by one channel, I swore that The Beatles were on! I laid there with confusion as I watched, on how much I loved this show. Not until I researched more about them that I knew how much they actually did relate to The Beatles.

After 'A Hard Days Night' premier in 1964, 2 men thought that it would be a great theme for a television show, having 4 young musicians who find troubles getting music jobs and running into hilarious distractions on the way. They wanted the success of the show to be just as much as The Beatles. What was cool about the show is that they were a recording band with albums! Show + band + good looking guys = very happy teenage girls. 

After interviewing many young men, they picked 4 that they thought would fit the roals perfectly. Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork (who were actual musicians), Micky Dolenz (former childhood star in a show called Circus Boy) and Davy Jones (jockey/former stage performer). They remained together as a band even after the cancelation of the show in 1968 until Mike Nesmith's departure in 1969. After taking a break for years, Peter, Micky and Davy joined back and started recording again in the 1980s. We lost Davy in 2012 and still to the day Peter and Micky are touring (so is Mike but on his own without them). 

What makes this cool is that The Beatles WATCHED THE SHOW! They were aware that they The Monkees were inspired by them and was very supportive of them. John Lennon was especially supportive, having talked about looking forward to watching the next episode of The Monkees every week. Knowing that, whenever I watch The Monkees, it makes me think that I'm watching something John Lennon had watched at one time (made me cry the first times I thought of it). 

Each of The Beatles gained friendships with each of The Monkees. John Lennon invited Mike and his wife (at the time) Phyllis (who bonded with Cynthia Lennon that day) to come to the recording of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club band, in which they did. George Harrison and Peter Tork spend many times playing the sitar together. Paul McCartney and Micky Dolenz frequently hung out (adorable pictures with them and Paul's equally as famous sheepdog Marthia). 

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