I can’t admit to ever being a fan of The Monkees but I used to watch it fairly regularly, nonetheless. Corny and as contrived as f**k, but great fun. I suppose Davy’s accent made it more than just an American show, somehow.
And they did have some good tunes (although I’m not sure that had much to do with Davy). But sad to see another part of (my) musical history disappear. He was only 66.
I came across this curio a while ago. Goes to show, you don’t ever know.
I really like several of the Monkees’ songs, and loved the TV programme when I was a teenager – my kids all liked it too when we watched it third or fourth or fifth time around. Feel really sad about Davy – who, incidentally, had a fledgling acting/singing career going for him here before he decided to try his luck in the States.
Thanks for doing this thread, was hoping someone was going to. (Aren’t they from your home city?) I’m a fan, they’re so tangled up with my kidhood.
I think i posted I Wanna Be Free for a challenge, so i’ll post this old fave for this one. Doesn’t sound as good as i remembered it, kind of saccharine actually. Not stellar vocal work either. But the chorus sentiment seems appropriate for the occasion anyway. RIP Davy.
Stepping Stone (later covered by the Pistols their supposed antithesis) was ace. I think they were a lot better than they were given credit for. I loved the programme as a nipper and am a lot sadder about this than I thought I could be.
I like What Am I Doing Hanging Round?…not least because it’s one of the (many) songs that mentions San Antonio. And it’s got a special Maki bit:
She took me to the garden just for a little walk.
I didn’t know much Spanish and there was no time for talk.</i?
Oops, didn’t close the italics…
Double Maki points there. The Spanish bit and the Hangin’ Round reference that predates a similarly named Stranglers tune by a few years!
Maki points? WAY HAY!
They’re not worth a lot these days what with the euro crisis and stuff, but they can be cashed in for uploads to my wp media library (where you are still registered as an author, if we run out of space here!
I loved the (repeated) show as a kid too. And a good few of their tunes have the ability to make me very happy: Daydream Believer, Last Train to Clarksville, Randy Scouse Git… Davy was on a show about boybands on BBC2 on Saturday night and I was thinking how young and physically fit he still looked. Very sad.
Ah – Mitch just said that very thing (about the TV programme) on Facebook. It’s on the iPlayer and I am going to watch it right now.
I’m another one who watched their shows as a kid. Davy was always the one who seemed bouncy and healthy. I had a bit of a crush on Mike Nesmith though – not sure why, now, but he has turned out to be a bit of an old hippie. So I’m not entirely surprised by the ‘freak out’ clip.
Shame, 66 is no age these days.
*sobs*
I’d like to thank all you good people..
but, you should find someone else to save.
Daydream Believer is one of most uplifting songs ever recorded and Davy Jones’ infectious personality and vocal was the defining factor. It’s obvious that so many people adored The Monkees for all the right reasons and what a pity that Mike Nesmith, it seems, never quite grasped that appeal. The best of their records have stood the test of time really well. Like many here, I loved the TV series as a child, the zany goofiness of it all and those endearing characters. The gilded refrain of Porpoise Song rings in my ears…Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye Davy.
oh, that is sad news.
Another fan of the TV show here, I hope they are still repeating them as it seems to be able to straddle generations.
I like the tunes too and have a Monkees LP tucked away somewhere. It wasn’t just the Pistols who adopted Stepping Stone, it was almost the unofficial anthem of the US hardcore punk scene of the early 80s. Great stuff.
And have you seen ‘Head’??? That’s some serious psychedelic shit!
Sound Opinions did an interesting show about the Monkees’ legacy last year:
http://audio.soundopinions.org/podcasts/sooppodshow273.mp3
Somewhat embarrassingly, the version of “Stepping Stone” that I’m most familiar with is the one by baggy Scouse also-rans The Farm.
The Farm weren’t that bad!
“Altogether Now” had something, but “Groovy Train” makes my teeth ache!
I am quite heartbroken. I loved the show and I like so many of the songs.
It is very sad news indeed.
He was very popular here and often appeared on TV and the Monkees Shows were regular shown on cable TV channels and were popular with kids.
He had a great voice and was a great entertainer.
It is a pity that he is no longer in this world with us.
Here is a clip from Japanese TV of him singing some Monkee numbers. I think you cans see how much fun us having and how much he was liked here.
He created so much happiness in the world with his music and he leaves us a beautiful legacy.
Wow, that was lots of fun, Sakura – I like how the two blokes on each side of Davy are wearing Monkee shirts!
But, dear me, I don’t think I’ve ever really known the lyrics to Daydream Believer and now I do I think it qualifies for your last week’s Challenge. Oh, what can it mean?
I liked the guy on the left’s green woolly hat – reminded me of someone… no, ‘fraid it’s gone!
That dancing girl’s groovy hotpants (she was dancing to the beat of a different drum) were awesome. Must get me a pair.
Loved the show as a young ‘un, wasn’t into the music too much until later (What??) then found we ahd a couple of mike Nesmith post-Monkees albums in our shared student flat in the early 70′s. Would probably pass as early Americana if I was drawn to describe them.
here’s a vid with Davy manipulating his maracas and a tambourine at the same time! Such versatility. RIP Davy.
At least he looks as though he’s enjoying himself, unlike Mike ‘Miserable’ Nesmith.