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From: blackstarkitten
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  • Mickys autograph is Very Cool, I read his book a couple of years back and thought it was Outstanding, it actually made me want to find out more which I found in Andrew Sandovals epic The Monkees Day to Day History. That book is everything you ever wanted to know and then some, Its pure Monkees info overload but I would recomend it for anybody that really wanted to know this incredible story.

    Peace

  • Mike was always my favorite member of The Monkees when I was a kid...this one, along with "You Just May Be The One" & "Papa Gene's Blues" were among his best compositions...PLUS it's Nesmith's lead guitar breaks in "Pleasant Valley Sunday" that made that record great..

  • @GUIDOBRAT The riff and production of this song is actually all Chip Douglas According to Andrew Sandovals Book Monkees Day to Day History, He taught the interlocking Bass and lead riff to Mike and doubletracked the lead guitar. Chip Douglas said Carol King was not happy with changes to her song and gave him the evil eye when she heard it, since she meant it to be played at a much slower tempo. Hope you enjoy this useless information....

    Peace

  • @kenc1161 my reply to guido is for the song Pleasant Valley Sunday..

  • oh micky, i love you<3

  • I love the Monkees and always did! They sang great and awesome songs! The show as kind of corny but the talent was awesome! Don't put them down people they are a legend!

  • I love this song :-))))))))))

  • Michael Nesmith looks so sweaty! They look soo stoned, man!

  • I was born thirty years too late. =( Mike´s such an adorable musician. On these days I would have thrown roses on the floor where he went.

  • happy birthday to mike and davy. love you and your music.

  • Happy Birthday Mike Nesmith.HI! I'm sweet Sue from New Orleans,La. I used to play with your sister Debra Nesmith in Arabi,La. when you were doing the monkees.

  • micky was the only talent! nesmith and jones looks pissed as usual..

  • @rouens Tork and Nesmith were the true talent when it came to musicianship!

  • Micky acts like an ass in this and it blows it. . I bet Nezmith kicked his ass once in a while to no Good.

  • lol micky XD

  • one of the best folk voices iv ever heard.

  • One Word ---- EXCELLANT!!!

  • I remember the 'Black Box' story. Mickey and Davey were on the old 'Tomorrow Show' with Tom Snyder around 1973 or '74 when they told it. Noe only was it full of drugs, it was full of girls.

  • @MrAgitator You have a angry but interesting take, just abit wrong. Mike was not the first chosen, according to Bob Rafelson it was actually Davy, who was a budding teen idol and already on contract with Screen Gems. And though Tork Was the biggest doper of the bunch he was also the most accomplished musician, Nesmith said it himself talent wise" The line up should of been Pete on Lead Guitar, Mike on Bass, Davy on drums and Micky out in front". Boyce & Hart most Monkees hits, Diamond only 4.

  • @kenc1161 Mike wasn't even showing up for the shows anymore. In fact the guys were making inside jokes about it in the show . One Story is that David Bowie asked Jones to change HIS Last name. He cried and begged him if he could keep it. Another story is that Tork got his Penis stuck in the Black Box . And Nezmith was quoted saying "I'm Bigger Than John Lennon" In retort of John Lennon saying "we are bigger than Jesus" Nezmith was always trying to be The Lennon of the group.

  • @MrAgitator By Pisces Mike was getting paid, and was all about making sure his music was being recorded for the Monkees releases, he also had some upcoming tax issues and was throwing around huge amounts of money in Nashville recording time he could write off. It was all about Witchita Train Whistles and the Monkee project was not where he wanted to be by 6/67. Chip Douglas tried to keep it together and still produced a good album but Mike cut him loose and the Death Ride Began....

  • @kenc1161 I can Dig It. By the way this song is one of Janeane garofalo's fave songs by the monkees and she was a die hard fan of Nezmith. On her official website she talks about him.there are two interviews at the bottom of the page click the one from radio KCRW. She loves Mike Nezmith.And i Love Her. (i just sounded like a weirdo)

  • @MrAgitator Jeff Menz was the most talented in this group. Get a fucking clue

  • Boy, looks like it must have been hot under the studio lights, eh?

  • Great music :) thanks for the share !!

  • Great music :)

  • the bass player is great -im thinking we could lose the maraccas davy you lazy sob

  • The Monkees have the most amazing songs in the world.

  • lol...peters shiner with fake artwork...ko'd by davey earlier in the day no

    ?

  • @8088ee no tork claims it was fake transfer

  • @MrAgitator. You are so wrong! Peter was a musician who played multiple instruments. What is your problem anyway, nasty jerk!

  • @teejay190de he is issue is that peter is a jerk!

  • Nezmith was the only one with talent. Davey and Micky were comics if anything. But it was that Damn Tork the Dork that was a waste of space. He didn't play anything and didn't even have his guitar plugged in. Sometimes you could see he wasn't even grabbing any cords. He was a pot head dope coke speed weed crack smack blooze ludes Loser!!! And they paid him in chocolate bars and toilet paper. What an ass!

  • @MrAgitator

    I see you`re a troll, I shall lower myself long enough to correct you anyhow.

    Peter, bless him, played the banjo, piano, guitar, and I believe a few other instruments as well. In fact, he played as musical backup for other bands long before The Monkees was even thought of.

    And as for Davy and Micky they could both play drums and guitar and Davy could play base, I believe.

    You should be able to find those basic facts with a simple web search. That is, if you know how to work one...

  • Nesmith had some good stuff

  • this episode was just on tv :D

    

  • According to Sandovals book Monkees Day to Day History tensions are extremely high during the Pisces recordings. Mike has alot of irons in the fire during this time putting most of his effort into getting 52 of the biggest and best names in country together for recordings that will take place September thru November 1967 and become Witchita Train Whistles. Davy & Pete will actually fight twice with Pete getting a black eye in the first, and Davy going to the hospital for stitches in the 2nd

  • According to Sandovals book Monkees Day to Day History tensions are extremely high during the Pisces recordings. Mike has alot of irons in the fire during this time putting most of his effort into getting 52 of the biggest and best names in country together for recordings that will take place September thru November 1967 and become Witchita Train Whistles. Davy & Pete will actually fight twice with Pete getting a black eye in the first, and Davy going to the hospital for stitches in the 2nd

  • Sweet Mike, getting all serious about his song :-)

  • @Sjaniek Mike was serious about getting out of the Monkees project studios and back down to Nashville where he is engrossed in putting the musicians together for Witchita Train Whistles, He resists every attempt by Chip Douglas to get him to play on the other guys tracks even telling Chip directly "Sorry but Im gonna have to be ornary about this" Chip said later that even though Mike brought him in he started liking him alot less during these sessions. Chip will be gone by the end of the year.

  • Was this song recorded after Mike had his tonsils out, resulting in his voice changing?

  • @harrietcow OK! So I am not the only person that noticed Mike's voice change as the seasons went on. It was about the time he stopped wearing the hat. 

  • I can't understand why this never gets any radio air play.

  • @JohnnyTheWolfLupino Because radio sucks! That's why. WLNG 92.1 Long Island, NY, may play this one. It is not going to hurta radio station to throw in a great non hit once in a while. Most people I thought--before Youtube--were content with the hits, but after having You Tube and Facebook, I found out that LOTS of people dig this great non-hit and even great obscure music(from the mid 1960s, of course). Of course, there is a lot of great obscure stuff from the 1950s and 1960s.

  • @JohnnyTheWolfLupino never a single but should have been

  • Why did Mike never seem happy in the monkees? I take it he hated it as he never appears with the monkees now, wouldn't even do the reunion tour. looks like Peter has been punched in the face on this one too lol

  • @vixie72 I don't think Mike hated it, just think he moved on. Peter had a tattoo but it looks strange I agree.

  • @vixie72 If I recall correctly, this was taped just shortly after Pete and Davey had their famous dust-up where Davey busted Pete on in the face and gave him a black eye. Which could explain why Davey is hanging over Mike's shoulder, where he'd normally be over next to Pete.

    I think tensions were pretty high in the whole group on the day they taped this.

  • I know I heard the song before but I don't think I gave it its due. LOVE this song now. Great vocals, great song!

  • @victorseay that guitar is a Gretch 12 string.

  • @victorseay the guitar is a Gretch 12 string

  • Great song! I like Nez's voice! Mike had the right instinct musically. Good stuff! Thanks,Nez!!!!

  • When was this recorded?

  • @jwsf941 Chip Douglas first put the track to tape 6/20/67 with Doug Dillard on Electric Banjo Eddie Hoh Drums, Mike on Vocals & Electric Guitar, Chip on Bass & accoustic, finishing touches will be 09/05/67 when he Davy and Micky will record backing vocals. It was after this session that Mike & Chip sort of had their falling out over Mike not wanting to come in and help on the other guys tracks...

    Hope this helped....

  • that's great that they were really high in this video haha

  • See I guess I'm just an oddball. Everybody always liked Davy, but I always thought I would've liked him more like a little brother. Mike on the other hand I would've giggedied his gashmoigen...lol!

  • Thx.....my other Monkee vids got axed by Utube

  • Hey guys like Them Monkees? Of course you do so visit

    beatlesmonkees.forumotion. com

    and sign up

  • they were high as a kite in this video.

  • @diesel021234 Im afraid your ignorance is showing. The Monkees hated to lip synch in their videos, so they, especially Micky, would ham it up.

  • @tharper1961 If you remembered the 60's when this came out, you weren't there for them..

  • @wildcatter63 What does that mean? I was around in the 60s and Ive read many books and seen and heard countless interviews to back up my statement. Where is the proof that they were high? HUMMM?

  • @tharper1961 Read Mickys Autobiography, He said they stayed high and it got so bad that during the 2nd season taping the producers built a air conditioned box away from the set with just 4 lights and when one of the guys was needed on the set there light went on. Micky said they would stumble out of the box do there lines and stumble back in. The box was even featured in the Movie Head. Its a great book with some incredible stories well worth the read, check it out.....

  • @kenc1161 my aunt worked for the studio & told me about "the box" . More than "chillin" was happening in"The Box"

  • @kenc1161 i got it for christmas with an autograph

  • PS that was 45th anniversary not 4th

  • Just saw the 4th anniversary tour in Santa Ynez, Ca. I was a bit worried about what to expect. The last time I saw them was at Universal Amphitheatre late 80's, early 90's when Mike Nesmith surprisingly dropped in and did a half set with them. The Santa Ynez show was Excellent. Tork sang Nesmith songs like you woulndt believe. They have a great band playing with them, The video accompaniment was awesome. I would go again tomorrow if I could.

  • From Episode No. 40, "Monkees Marooned" (#4755). Notice that it has a slightly longer fade. 8^B

  • I absolutely love, love, LOVE Mike Nesmith! He's hot, sexy and has a damn great voice. I could listen to Mike sing all day! Thanks for posting this!

  • Just saw the Monkees reunion tour during the 4th of July weekend. Brought back a ton of memories and yes, they sang this song!

  • My Gretch had a Bigsby tail piece. I loved that axe.

  • Great song!! Thanks for posting.

  • God, I haven't seen this clip for years! This, along with For Pete's Sake, has always been my favourite Monkees song and I play it all the time on CD. Say what you want about the Monkees, they made some of the best pop music ever, and it stands the test of time a lot better than many of their contempories more serious stuff ever does. The shows haven't been on UK tv for a few years now as far as I am aware, so seeing this has brought back some nice memories of my childhood. Thanks for posting

  • I love Monkees songs where Mike does the vocals. Great stuff.

  • @takeitorleaveit he has good vocal inflection. he knew how to stress the good stuff.

  • I didn't say WHY they broke up (yes, I was referring to the Beatles). It's well documented. Even after the Beatles left Capitol Records and formed Apple Records, egos got in the way. I'm sure there were individual ego-driven battles going on inside Monkee-dom, but since they did not found their group, they could not break themselves up. As for the Temptations, members came and went (and died), but Temptations forever, as they say. Isn't Davy cuter than Zac (or the Monkees vs J-Bros)?

  • Micky said in his autobiography that there was never a ego issue as much as it was each liking there own style of music, after the Pisces record and Chip Douglas departure they could not agree on a direction and very seldom recorded together as a group with each prefering there own musicians. Pete hated this format and was the first to buyout his contract and leave the group Mike bought his in 1969, Micky and Davy road the train to the end completing there contract with the album Changes.

  • interesting thanks for posting

  • Glad you enjoyed, they really do have a interesting story and its worth a read for any real fan of these guys. There is alot of myth and speculation out their, but the true story is amazing. Andres Sandovals book Monkees Day to Day History and Mickys autobio will drop your jaw.

    Peace

  • @kenc1161 sadly sandoval is a dick

  • Nice to see Mike w/o the stocking cap. Yes, he's a Texan and very talented (his mom invented Liquid Paper). It was hard to be part of the machine trying to compete w/the Beatles. Look at Motown; it was a machine. 70's music was not the caliber of the 60's (until disco, which people beg to differ) because all of that talent was being bottled up and manufactured. It's why the Beatles didn't last. Search out Motown and the Temptations, David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks.

  • The Beatles didn't last? Because why? I'm confused....

  • They broke up in 1970.

  • Right, I know that. I'm not sure of your explanation of WHY they broke up (The Beatles), or were you referring to The Monkees, perhaps you said The Beatles by mistake.

  • The fact of the matter is The memebers of the band wanted to play their own stuff but the powers that "be" wouldn't allow it. That's why it's called show "BUSINESS" and they had to endure alot of grief because of the record companies and TV producers Johnny Bravo was a great example

  • Actually it was only during the Kirshner reign that they were discouraged to play, after he left they were allowed to play and record anything they wished, they just had no say on what was released on a album or single. They all had their own guys that they liked to record with and spent very little time recording together by choice not by direction. It was the main reason Pete bought out his contract and left as he wanted them to play as a real band.

  • a little bit in the beginning was fake, but all of them had musical training before the show, like peter tork had been in bands before the monkees and played bass guitar, acustic guitar, banjo, piano, and more, mike nesmith had two years of guitar training when he went into audition, micky was in singing before and was taught to play drums during the show, and davy did singing, and he did drums for a little while. and at their concerts they performed all of their songs

  • Untrue, they learned how to play. Starting with they're album "Headquarters" get ur facts my friend.

  • Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith were trained musicians. Davy Jones was a stage actor and vocalist, and Mickey Dolenz was an actor who could sing. They were the oringinal "boy band", put together on the coattails of The Beatles movie "Help". Obviously they had talent and made quite an impact, look how popular they are 40+ years later.

  • Mickey Dolenz could also play some guitar. Davy Jones was originally hired as the drummer but management soon swapped the 2 as Davy could hardly been seen behind a full drum kit (and was 'cuter' to front the band and shake some maracas!)

  • He he, reminds me of the line "Stand Up!"...Davy replied, "I am standing". So cute!

  • Love this song. Check out seconds 25-26.Mike seems to be making a "whatever" face at someone off camera. lol this is killing me.He darts back and forth with his eyes several times.hmmm...old and NEW girlfriend @ the studio maybe? Thanks for posting :)

  • I agree. The Monkees' music went greatly downhill without Chip Douglas producing. "Headquaters" & "PAC&JL" are their best albums.

  • I agree totally. I love Mike, but he has a control-freak/destructive side that tends to be shortsighted. Chip Douglas was a GREAT find (by Mike - who trained him to produce). Hell, I would have hired Douglas as a full-time bassist away from the Turtles. That's like a 3 for 1 deal. The Douglas-era is EASILY the best era of Monkees.

  • Brilliant song by Murphy, and a wonderful choice/performance by Nesmith and the Monkees. For a rock group to present this with this much authority is a statement to their helping pioneering Country Rock.

  • At 0.24 - 0.25 Mike makes a face at someone off camera. I love that part..(sigh)..I love Mike.

  • I always liked the Mike song's as a kid. This one sounds like Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town. Anyone know which was recorded first?

  • Did Neil Diamond write this song?

  • Mikes buddies Michael Martin Murphy & Boomer Castleman wrote this song, It was the kind of music Mike wanted to record all the time. Michael Murphy replaced Mike in his old band when Mike took the Monkees role

  • When I first saw this in 1986, I instantly fell in love with Mike, and remain so to this day! No one will ever be as talented as him!

  • Not crazy about the Monkees, but this has to be one of my top 10 favorite songs of all time. Reminds me of some regrets in my life. Except she was indian not mexican ("Native American" & "Latina" for you PC people)

  • The monkees were trying to become serious musicians but the tv producers would,nt budge.

  • Only Mike & Pete wanted to become serious musicians, Micky said in his autobiography that he and Davy were content to leave things alone. The Monkees were allowed to record anything they wished and they did, but they had no say over went went on a album or what single was released. After Headquarters & Pisces, they seldom recorded together, each preferring their own style of music and own session players, it is the reason Pete quit, he always wanted them to play together as a real band.

  • It's odd that what killed their popularity in the 60s (their creative takeover) has actually contributed to their longevity. If they had stayed with the "More Of The Monkees" formula, all their great songs like "Goin Down" "Door Into Summer" "Nine Times Blue" "Randy Scouse Git" "For Pete's Sake" "Sunny girlfriend" among others would NEVER have seen the light of day.

  • I tend to think the songs would of still been recorded, I think the biggest mistake they made was Mike giving Chip Douglas walking papers, without his direction the bulk of the music recorded after Pisces was horrid with very few bright spots and it showed in their sales over there last 5 albums. Without direction they could never stay on the same page as they all prefered there own style of music. BTW Door Into Summer was not a Monkee original that was a Chip production at its best.

  • Mike never left the monkees and he had every right to be a prick the producers would'nt let the monkees have any control over their music it started with don kirshner and it did'nt stop even after he was fired.

  • Although it's just a Wiki entry, Nesmith is quoted as saying why he left the Monkees prior to his contract expiring. You should check it out.

    And the way I see it, the Producers hired the Monkees for a TV show. They were under contract and I can guarantee you that one of the conditions had to do with how the music component was handled. He knew what he was getting in to.

    The drag is that in those days artists were screwed out of a lot of cash, especially in back-end sales and merchandise.

  • I laugh at anything in Wiki, according to Mickys autobiography and Andrew Sandovals book The Monkees Day to Day History & Total Control by Mikes 1st wife it was Mike. At the end of Picses recordings he started to not come to the group sessions, which bummed Chip and especially Peter who really wanted them to be a real band, Mike convinced Micky & Davy that they could do it on their own without Chip, and Chip said Mike came to him and said sorry buddy we gonna do this next one by ourselfs.

  • Though his mom invented liquid paper in 1956, it was not to become a big success until 1967-1968 after Mike funded her operation and she started to produce it in large numbers,even then it was not making Mike rich, she sold the company for under 50 million in the mid 70s and though Mike benifited, his money always came from his music. His settlement of his company Pacific Arts lawsuit againt PBS in the 90s was said to be 500 million, Now thats getting paid...

  • I never said Mike got the walking papers, you need to re-read my comment, I said Mike gave Chip his walking papers after Pisces.

  • Man, I can't help but hate it when people get into things like this. Can't we just enjoy the music? Mike may well have been that way but he still contributed a lot to the band and helped them get recognised as more than a manufactured group.

  • Are you for real or just shortsighted and anal, It was that enjoyment that lead me to learn as much about these remarkable guys as I could. It is a Great story, and I would recomend ANY true fan to learn it. Mickys autobiography is a good start, after you get done and say WOW that was amazing try Andrew Sandovals epic The Monkees Day to Day History which is considered the bible of everything Monkee and the only book endorsed by all 4 guys. Total Control by Mikes 1st wife is also a great read

  • yeah I have to agree with you, sit back and enjoy the tunes.

  • maybe grab a beer and smoke a pack,why not

  • omg i am really young and still i love em be my friend

  • rock on ty for sharing, im re living my past here, lol

  • fictitious

  • LOL, they do have shiny faces here...must have been hot in the studio that day with all the lights!

  • Great song. Great singing. If you go through the Monkee's songs, and sift through the bubblegum crap, there are still a TON of great, great rock, pop, and country rock songs...many penned by Nesmith. They deserve to be in the R/R Hall Of Fame BECAUSE they started out as a contrived band, but broke down the walls into an artistic entity, and a pretty great one too.

  • I agree. These guys were pretty good.

  • pretty good? these guys were extrodinary to say they started as a fictious band

  • show vwas canncelled before manson murders were committed

  • I love the harmony on this, one of their best

  • one of my favorite Mike songs

  • great Mike song indeed. even though it was written by someone else Mike sure is perfect for the performance!

  • hehee- look at the drummer on 2:52

  • I'm always amazed at how great they each sound individually. This is one of the few that Mike solos on and I love the osng writing and singing.

  • Another Monkees classic.For a group that had a very short life they had an amazing ability to produce a fantastic amount of great hits.Punch in any Monkees video on Youtube and enjoy,entertainment guaranteed.

  • I heard Pete was a musician before he joined the monkees but i've seen videos were he plays the bass, keyboards and now banjo did he actually play them in real life or just mimmed them for the show?

  • The story I've heard was that he played guitar in a number of folk-pop groups, including one with Stephen Stills who narrowly missed out on joining the Monkees.

  • Pete actually could play alot of instruments including the Banjo, he always did a Cripple Creek banjo solo at the Monkees concerts, but was a little miffed that Mike chose his pal Doug Dillard to play the electric banjo part on this recording.

  • thanks for that. i actually forgot how good the Monkees were its been fun viewing the clip

  • this is the ultimate pop song 90 beats per minute it should be taught at music schools

  • This song was written by Michael Martin Murphey. The same guy who sang "Wildfire". He was a friend of Nesmiths. FYI

  • I think this is their best song. I think they would have had more fans today if Nesmith had written more of the songs. This is truly good stuff.

  • Truly good stuff but Mike did not write this. His pals Michael Martin Murphy & Boomer Castleman wrote this song. Mike said it was the kind of country flavor song he wanted to record.

  • Ok. Anyway he wrote some really good songs both within the Monkees, and also after they split up. My personal favourite is "Rio" (He did write that one, right?). The ultimate summer song:)

  • Yes and he continues to write good songs that get alot of critical praise but just like in the 70s 80s & 90s they just dont sell. Check out his last release called "Rays" in 2006, great stuff but I think maybe just me and a few dozen other people bought it.

    Peace

  • Mike also wrote Joanne in 1970 just after he left The Monkees.

  • @kenc1161 Just saw Boomer and Lois this last weekend in Austin. I've posted a couple of videos from the party! 

  • Top Song... by a top band. Long live the Monkees !

  • they are 4 halves of one man that i love.

  • I miss the simple, natural look. People look too overly done up these days. Music was a whole lot better then too.

  • COMPLETELY SUBJECTIVE POST!

  • peter has a zit if u look closely

  • great song...the part where they sing "What am I doin' hangin' round" reminds me a bit of the Hammond organ lick on The Cyrkle's Red Rubber Ball

  • like you'r vid mike was my fav.

  • My favorite Monkees song indeed!

  • I love this song.

  • Mickey is a mess ! He cracked me up the way he was waving at the end . I Loved that song , I always thought Mike had a great voice .

  • I love the monkees!!! I Love Davy!!!!

  • Michael Nesmith is a fabulous writer/performer.  Excellent musician.

  • No doubt, he did also got credit for inventing MTV, but it is quite apparent why he wore that hat.

  • micky looks like he's about to cry every time he waves! it's creeping me out....

  • Really fantastic, they were "avant garde" for their time.

    Congratulations!!!

  • The drumming keeps playing at 2:38 even though no one is playing drums.

  • hahaha

  • according to the movie, Mike wanted to do their own music & the producers said no. he should have listened to them. (my option). they canceled the show.

  • I actually think that it was a good idea that Mike didn't listen to them. Look at the masterpieces that they produced post More of the Monkees. Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Jones Ltd. is a good example of just how talented and innovative these guys were.

  • i love the monkees!!!

  • Mike looks just like my first love whose name was also Mike I fell in love with him when I was 14 and loved him until he passed away 3 yrs ago. Everytime I see an old Monkee's video I cry and wish he was still here.

  • aw, that's sad, but you're very lucky! i wish i could meet and fall in love with a guy who looked just like mike