“The End came 50 years ago today”
Dr. Rocks Remember When? For KFAI: Article #84-9 March 2018
By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0.
It was 50 years ago this week the TV Show “The Monkees” was canceled from its original run; 12 September 1966 to 25 March 1968, with 2 seasons at 58 episodes. My Top 5 favorite episodes;
#29 “Get Out More Dirt” 3 April 1967
#32 “On Tour” 24 April 1967
KFAI: Monkees 50th Anniversary Radio Special
#38 “I Was a 99lb Weakling” 16 October 1967
#47 “Christmas Show” 25 December 1967
#52 “Devil & Peter Tork” 5 February 1968
It was back in Summer 1992 when I lived in Des Moines, Iowa I went to the most famous DJ at KIOA, one Dic Youngs, & I asked him “How do I go about doing a 1 hour radio show on “The Monkees” & also a 1 hour show on “Boyce & Hart” and get them aired on KIOA?” Youngs responded “First you need a Producer to back the show, then you need to get around, the long standing FCC rule: a station may not play more than 3 songs by a single artist in a 1 hour period” Jump ahead to Aug 2012, I got a call from DJ Liberty Finch, and was asked would you like to do a guest spot on her radio show “The Pop Shop” and did I have any ideas for a show? I had a resounding “YES” and once again pitched my 2 hour “Monkees- Boyce & Hart” show. I got the usual response; “FCC Rule: no more than 4 songs of a single artist in a 2 hour period”
So this winter my buddy Tommy, asked “You ever gonna do the 2 hour Monkees – Boyce & Hart Show, you talked about? We began to talk about he said “I just have to think there is a way around it”. So one early morning, tossin & turnin in my sleep I came up with this “50th Anniversary Radio Show” idea. The cast of Characters: The Monkees, David Jones: (1945-2012), Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz & Peter Tork with Boyce & Hart: Tommy Boyce: (1939-1994) & Bobby Hart (Robert Luke Harshman) & Harry Nilsson: (1941 -1994), with a host of others … So here it is my 7th appearance on KFAI’s “The Pop Shop”
Let The Show Begin;
“Theme From The Monkees”: The Monkees: 1966
This version is from the TV Show intro, not found on the 1st album. From the Deluxe 2CD set.
“Long Title (do I have to do this all over again)”: The Monkees: 1968
One of 2 lead vocals by: Peter Tork, this is found on the Soundtrack to the Film “Head” as suggested by: Missy Marrs.
“Last Train To Clarksville”: Four Tops: 1967
A cover version form their album ‘Reach Out’ I have always loved this band since I was a kid.
“How Can You Kiss Me”: Mike Nesmith, John London & Bill Sleeper: 1965
This is one of Nesmith’s 5 Singles he released BEFORE he was in The Monkees, this one was on the Omnibus Label, John London went on the be a session man in The Monkees & a member of the “1st National Band”
“Girl From Chelsea”: David Jones: 1965
This is one of 3 Singles Jones released Before he was in The Monkees, oddly enough, Jones & Nesmith were both signed to the same record label “Colpix” at the same time before The Monkees.
“Don’t Do It”: Micky Dolenz: (1965) 1967
This is one of 2 songs Dolenz recorded before he was in The Monkees, although this single was not released until after the 1st Monkees LP was released on Challenge Records.
“Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day”: The Astronauts: 1965
From an RCA 45 Single, both sides are written by: Tommy Boyce, The Monkees covered this song on their 1st LP in 1966.
“Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song -One”: Harry Nilsson: 1971
From the album ‘Aerial Pandemonium Ballet’ this is sort of a “Re-Mix Best Of” LP. The Monkees, together or solo recorded over 25 Nilsson songs, this song they tried out in ’67 for their 4th LP “Pisces” but never finished it up.
“Stop Talkin Start Lovin”: Robert Luke Harshman: 1959
Bobby Hart was born Robert Luke Harshman in Phoenix, AZ. this is the 1st of 4 singles Hart released before the “Boyce & Hart” duo, this was on the “Radio” record label.
“Come Here Joann”: Tommy Boyce: 1962
This is one of 12 singles Boyce released before he was in “Boyce & Hart” in 1967, this was on the RCA label, he was on 4 labels before “A&M” Boyce was known for writing material in the style of others, this one being Fats Domino.
“Goodbye Baby (I don’t wanna see you cry)”: Boyce & Hart: 1968
A Top 40 Hit for “Boyce & Hart”, this duo wrote over 27 songs for The Monkees, & had a song on almost every album released by The Monkees
“Moonfire”: Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart: 1976
After a failed Monkees re-union in 1974, Micky & Davy & Tommy & Bobby, formed a “New” Monkees of sorts, & toured in 1975 -76 & released a Studio LP & A Live LP.
“Nerd Is The Word”: PsychoGello: 2017
This is “Mr. Zero’s 60s Tribute band from our pending CD “Future Now” on Saturn Recordings. MrZerr0 wrote, sang & played on this one with Terrance & Paul. The 2nd Verse is: “Dig, some people just don’t get, you gotta know good taste costs real money”
“You And I”: The Monkees: 1969
From The Monkees 1st LP as a “Trio” ‘Instant Replay’ (Jones, Dolenz & Nesmith) in early ’69. Neil Young plays Lead guitar on this Bill Chadwick, autobiographical song.
“Mama Rocker”: Michael Nesmith: 1972
From Nez’s “2nd National Band” album. I played this one to show Nez, did more than Country music.
“Look At Me”: Davy Jones: 1971
From Jones’ 2nd solo LP, this one is not as syrupy as most of the other tracks on this LP. This song is on the 1969 ‘Bread’ album, along with another song “London Bridge” that Nesmith cut a version of while still in the Monkees, in the late 60’s & early 70s Nesmith & Jones had many cross over songs, like: “If I Ever Get To Saginaw Again & “Talking To The Wall” that they both recorded their own versions of.
“Love War”: Micky Dolenz: 1973
This is one of 5 singles Dolenz cut on MGM records after the Monkees. The lyrics are great, in ’92 in Lincoln, NE. I was able to speak with Dolenz about this song, his response “How on earth did you hear that one?”
“Cuckoo”: Peter Tork: 2006
This song comes from one of 5 CDs Tork released on Beechwood Records. This is a song from Tork’s early days in Greenwich Village, I was able to speak with Tork about this song in Nov ’04, I suggested he record this song on his next CD, as you can see… he did.
“(I’m not your) Steppin Stone”: Paul Revere & Raiders: 1966
Many do not realize, The Raiders cut & released this song 1st, much like the controversy over “Louie, Louie” 3 years earlier. This one comes from the LP ‘Midnight Ride’
“Daddy’s Song”: Harry Nilsson: (1968) 1971
This one also comes from ‘Aerial Pandemonium Ballet’ because The Monkees recorded it & released it before Nilsson, RCA, felt it should not be on 2 LPs released at roughly the same time, so it was pulled from Nilsson’s 3rd album.
“Too Many Teardrops”: Bobby hart: 1962
Another of Hart’s pre- Boyce & Hart singles this one is on ‘Infinity Records’
“Pretty Thing”: Tommy Boyce: 1965
Also another of Boyce’s pre- Boyce & Hart singles on MGM Records. Dedicate to my Love; De Dee.
“Strawberry Girl”: Boyce & Hart: 1968
This song is taken from the Duo’s 3rd LP ‘It’s All Happening on the Inside’
“Two For The Price Of One”: Larry Williams & Johnny “Guitar” Watson: 1967
Boyce & Hart covered this song on their 2nd LP, ‘Wonder What She’s Doing Tonite’ I was the person who told their Drummer Billy Lewis, that this was a cover song, he was somewhat shocked.
“Words”: The Monkees: 1966
The 1st (TV) version of my all time favorite song, found on ‘Missing Links 2’ the 2nd version is found on ‘Pisces’ I just heard Boyce & Hart’s demo of this song a couple months ago, very cool & different, I love the duel vocal on this song.
“Teardrop City”: Boyce & Hart: 1968
This is originally a Boyce & Hart song from the LP “Wonder What She’s Doing Tonite”, later covered & released by The Monkees in early ’69.
Together: Harry Nilsson: (1968) 1971
This song is from Harry’s ‘Aerial Pandemonium Ballet’ from 1971 his remixed “Best Of: ” David Jones & Sam & The Goodtimers performed this song Live on ABC TV “Music Scene” on 22 Dec 1969.
“Oh Someone”: Micky Dolenz: 1971
This is another one of Dolenz’s 5 MGM singles; this one finds Dolenz working with Peter Tork, the 1st time since Dec ’68, when Tork quit The Monkees. Worth noting in the early 70s there was a huge “Jesus” movement started by “Jesus Christ Superstar” henceforth the theme of this song. This song was written by David Price, a friend of Nesmith’s from Texas who was a “Stand-in” for Davy Jones,.
“Dance (and have a good time)”: Michael Nesmith: 1979
Taken from the grossly underrated NEZ; LP “Infinite Rider” this whole album is great!
“Black And White”: David Jones: 1988
The Monkees re-united in 1986 through 1989. During that period Jones released 1 vinyl 45 Single & Cassingle & a Cassette only Solo album ‘Incredible’ this song comes from that release.
“Milkshake”: Peter Tork: 1994
This song was written & released by: Martin Briley in 1981. I know Tork was performing it for awhile in his solo sets, this recording comes from Tork’s very 1st solo CD in 1994 on Beechwood Records.
“Some Of Shelly’s Blues”: Linda Ronstadt w/ Stone Poney’s: 1968
The 2nd of 2, Mike Nesmith song’s Linda recorded, this was also covered by the ‘Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’. Linda had a hit with NEZ’s “Different Drum”. Nesmith recorded this song both in the Monkees in ‘68 & Solo in ‘73
“Love Is Only Sleeping”: The Monkees: 1967
This one comes from the, by far, the best The Monkees LP, ’Pisces’, it was considered to be a single in Oct ’67, but was nixed for “Daydream Believer”
“Wasn’t Born To Follow”: Byrds: 1968
This song was originally recorded by ‘The Byrds’ in late ’67, The Monkees recorded a version in Spring ’68, one of the few Lead Vocals from Peter Tork, it went unreleased, until 2016.
“Sweetheart Attack”: Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart: 1976
Another great song from the “2nd” Monkees reunion in the mid- 70s. From the only Studio LP they released in the 70s.
“Forget That Girl (live)” The Monkees: 1967
“The Monkees didn’t play their own instruments” we hear it over & over again … yet they recorded at least 6 of their own Concerts, 5 in ’67 & 1 in 1968. Ok, sure they were not virtuoso’s in concert, BUT have you heard the early BEATLES live recordings? Well, give both bands a listen & you can hear for yourself, at the time both bands were about equal, in concert. This recording comes from the ‘Summer 1967 Boxset’ (4 CDs). To set the record straight, The Monkees DID play their own instruments in concert (in the 60s over 80 plus concerts), & many times on the album recordings (especially the 3rd & 4th LPs), but less than 30% of the time on the other records.
So there you have it Fans, my 2018 KFAI Radio Show on “The MONKEES” (I hope to do a BEATLES & Solo Style Show on KFAI in the Fall 2018 & Maybe a KISS & Solo Show in Spring 2019 on KFAI) it’s only been 26 years in the making. I would like to DJ Dic Youngs (R.I.P.) & Tommy Sommers & DJ Izzy for making this happen.
Thursday, March 22, 2018 – 11:00pm
Mr. Zero swings by The Pop Shop to spin an all-Monkees and associates episode to kick off our Spring 2018 Pledge Drive.
You can hear the “Artist” of the Week on “Mr. Zero’s PsychoGello Vinyl & Compact Disc Radio Show” Sunday’s @ 10:30am on WDGY 740am & Streaming 107.1 & FM: 92.1 & 103.7. To hear back Episodes go to Mr. ZeroS.Com & Click the PodCast Key to Hear the last 38 Episodes. And as always this article is dedicated to the love of my life De Dee.
Until the next time … MrZerr0
Mr. Zero’s *Est. 2009
1744 Lexington Ave. N.
Roseville, MN. 55113
www.MrZeroS.Com
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