post suggested by Nick Prince.
Nick Prince…. I love this. The Monkees, well Mike and Pete on guitar and Micky singing, Purple Haze, after Jimi Hendrix, somewhat peeved by being booed off stage by adolescent Monkees fans, stormed off and referred to his experience; “The Monkees. They’re dishwater, I hate them!”
However, prior to this, The Monkees, The Beatles and Hendrix had the most amazing jamming session, covering each others songs. The outcome was amazing. I have heard Hendrix do, A Little Bit Me a Little Bit You, and it is something to for.
There is enough material for a double album but I have always been led to believe that there is so much argument over copyright, mainly from Neil Diamond, Carol King and Yoko Ono, that it has not been possible to release. Let’s hope it is in our life time.
John Lennon on the Monkees; “I love them, they have the greatest comic talent since the Marx Brothers, I never miss an episode!”
Alan Esdaile… Not a big Monkees fan but the theme tune still sounds great and what about the excellent film ‘Head’.
Nick Prince… Wash your mouth out Alan! I sent this in because I think in light of the postings about Jimi Hendrix, it will be great to share. Hendrix was the support act to The Monkees on their 1967 US tour. It was a less successful marriage than that of George and Mildred. I don’t know how many of you are aware but before Hendrix was booed off stage by adolescent Monkees fans. Jimi left the tour proclaiming; “The Monkees. Dishwater. I hate them”. However, prior to this, one of the greatest jamming sessions in music history came about in which The Monkees, The Beatles and Hendrix covered each others songs. There is enough material for a double album but alas Neil Diamond, Carol King and Yoko Ono, have all put spanners in the works re copyright and percentage of sales. Rhino Records, a division of Warner, I believe have wanted to release this for years. I have been lucky enough to have heard Hendrix cover, A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You, and it is to die for……. Let’s hope this it is released in our life time. On The Monkees John Lennon said; ” They are the greatest comic genius since the Marx Brothers, I never miss an episode. In my opinion The Monkees could act and Dolenz could sing, and very well, Hendrix could play, and very well, and Lennon and McCartney, could write, and very well. Oddly enough, I am not a big Beatles fan until 1967 and from then on I love their catalogue. It would be boring if we all liked the same…..
Chris Giles… Having been of that era I loved The Monkees and as time has shown Mike Nesmith was very talented as well…
Jane Hartley… I didn’t like the Beatles either, the 3 remaining Monkees are all talented musicians, Peter and Mike particularly!
Chris Giles… I quite agree Jane. I’ve got all the Monkee LP’s I saw them live at Wembley in 1967 with Lulu… I couldn’t speak for days after…but my generation of music is very varied now..
Nick Prince… In 1967 (The Summer of Love) The Monkees outsold the Beatles and the Stones put together. They were also responsible for finally knocking The Sound of Music (Film Sound Track) off the number one spot in the UK album chart, with their first album, the self titled, The Monkees. Okay, after seven weeks, The Sound of Music was back, only to be knocked off by the follow up album, More of The Monkees. 1967 saw just four albums make number one, two of which were by the Pre Fab Four. A third album, Headquarters, stalled at number two, due to the groups own success. The forth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones Ltd, got to number five, held up by the first three and the Sound of Music. Pisces is of extreme importance as it was the first release to use a synthesiser. The current line up is Dolenz, Tork and Nesmith. It has been mooted the Peter Noone will join them. Only Tork and Dolenz are partaking in the forthcoming Canadian tour although Nesmith has not left. He has other projects at this time. The surviving trio are likely to play the UK late 2015/early 2016. I’ve seen various line ups of the original four members and god do they give a great performance. Never knock them! They’re still here.
Phil Thornton… I love the Monkees and I love the Beatles. There are no words to describe how I feel about Jimi.
Nick Prince… Just to add, Peter Tork has confirmed a UK tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Monkees in 2016. Nesmith is currently on leave from the group for this year but the line up for the UK is set to be Dolenz, Tork and Nesmith. There have been no further press releases confirming Peter Noone in the line up.
Chris Giles… Interesting I might go just out of interest…
Nick Prince… They give a very good show. TBH, Micky was the main vocalist. The group counteract the Daydream Believer issue by playing the original video on big screens and hand it over to the audience with the remaining three joining in the chorus. In addition to the 2016 UK Monkees tour, Dolenz has announced that he and Peter Tork are headlining the Moseley Folk Festival in September this year as The Monkees. I can understand Peter Tork being there as his roots are with folk but even I am a little miffed at Dolenz or The Monkees being there.