The Monkees

The Monkees

Company type	Pop rock group
Industry	Music
Founded	September 1965 (1965-09)
Headquarters	Los Angeles , United States
Products	Music albums, singles

The Monkees were a pop rock group originating from Los Angeles during the mid-1960s, consisting of members Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork. Their rise to fame was significantly propelled by the popularity of the television show The Monkees, making them one of the most prominent bands of the late 1960s. They achieved notable success with four albums reaching number one on the charts and three major hit singles: "Last Train to Clarksville", "I'm a Believer", and "Daydream Believer".

Conceived initially as a fictional ensemble for NBC’s sitcom The Monkees, Dolenz, Jones, Nesmith, and Tork were cast to play band members. Music attributed to The Monkees was featured within the series and released as albums and singles starting in 1966; the show aired until 1968. At first, the members primarily provided lead vocals and contributed some songwriting, while session musicians performed most instrumental parts. Despite their commercial achievements, the band pushed for artistic independence and by 1967 had secured full control over their recordings. For two albums, they functioned predominantly as a performing group; however, within a year, individual projects under The Monkees' name rendered the band mostly symbolic. Public belief that the members did not play instruments endured, coupled with diminishing chart performance and the cancellation of their TV program, which led to departures from the group. Their final recording session took place in 1970 before disbandment.

A resurgence of interest in 1986 led to a 20th-anniversary reunion. Over more than three decades, The Monkees regrouped sporadically for tours, a significant network television special, and new studio releases. After Jones passed away in 2012 and Tork in 2019, Dolenz and Nesmith embarked on a farewell tour in 2021, concluding shortly before Nesmith’s death later that year, leaving Dolenz as the only surviving member.

Formation and casting

The Monkees came together in Los Angeles during the mid-1960s.

Filmmaker Bob Rafelson initially conceived the concept for The Monkees in 1962 and presented it to Revue Productions—Universal Pictures’ television arm—but did not succeed. In May 1964, while working at Screen Gems, Rafelson joined forces with Bert Schneider—whose father headed Colpix Records and Screen Gems Television at Columbia Pictures—to establish Raybert Productions. Drawing inspiration from The Beatles’ films A Hard Day's Night and Help!, they revived their idea and sold the show to Screen Gems Television on April 16, 1965.

Rafelson and Schneider originally intended to cast the New York folk rock band the Lovin' Spoonful; however, when this plan failed, they shifted focus to Davy Jones. In September 1964, Jones signed an extensive contract covering television with Screen Gems, film with Columbia Pictures, and music with Colpix. His participation in The Monkees was publicly announced on July 14, 1965. Prior to this, Jones had gained recognition playing the Artful Dodger in Broadway’s Oliver!, earning a Tony Award nomination in 1963.

In September 1965, advertisements appeared in Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter seeking four young musicians/singers aged between 17 and 21 for acting roles in a new television series:

Out of 437 candidates, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Micky Dolenz were selected alongside Jones to complete the lineup.

Dolenz, son of actor George Dolenz, possessed previous acting experience as "Mickey Braddock" in the 1950s series Circus Boy. He was actively auditioning when his agent informed him about Raybert’s project.

Nesmith’s mother, Bette Nesmith Graham, was the inventor of correction fluid and founder of Liquid Paper. After serving briefly in the U.S. Air Force and recording under the name "Michael Blessing" for Colpix Records, he responded to the trade advertisement—arriving at his audition with laundry—and impressed producers with his relaxed demeanor and wit. His trademark wool hat attracted early promotional focus but was removed following the pilot episode.

Tork secured his place after being recommended by friend Stephen Stills during auditions. A proficient multi-instrumentalist, he had performed extensively in Greenwich Village folk venues before relocating westward and working as a busboy.

Creating the music for their debut album

During the casting process, Don Kirshner, who headed music at Screen Gems, was approached to obtain songs for The Monkees pilot episode. Kirshner's Brill Building company, Aldon Music, housed numerous songwriters influenced by the British Invasion. While several contributed material for the Monkees, the majority of compositions came from Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, two rising songwriters. Boyce and Hart submitted four demo tracks, including "(Theme From) The Monkees," which played a key role in securing approval for the series.

On January 17, 1966, NBC committed to producing 32 episodes.

Following the series order, the pace of music production increased. Columbia–Screen Gems partnered with RCA Victor to establish Colgems Records, created specifically to release Monkees' records. In April 1966, Raybert organized rehearsals, but the group was not yet prepared to perform live for the show’s premiere. Consequently, producers turned to Kirshner to appoint a producer.

Kirshner brought in Snuff Garrett, renowned for his work with Gary Lewis & the Playboys, to produce early recordings. Garrett preferred Jones as lead vocalist, a decision that met resistance from the band members, prompting Kirshner to terminate Garrett’s involvement and buy out his contract.

Subsequently, Nesmith was granted permission to oversee production sessions on the condition that he did not perform on them, though he included other members—particularly Tork on guitar—in these sessions. Kirshner then reinstated Boyce and Hart as producers and enlisted East Coast collaborator Jack Keller to provide additional expertise. Because the four actors often distracted each other during recording sessions, producers opted to record each vocalist separately.

The initial two albums functioned as soundtracks designed to leverage the television show's popularity. In a 2006 re-release of More of the Monkees, Nesmith voiced dissatisfaction that their debut album presented them as an authentic rock group without acknowledging the session musicians involved.

The Monkees launched their first single, "Last Train to Clarksville" backed with "Take a Giant Step," in August 1966, shortly before their TV premiere on September 12, 1966, on NBC. This single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending November 5, 1966. Their self-titled debut album followed a month later and held the No. 1 spot for thirteen weeks; it stayed on Billboard charts for seventy-eight weeks and reappeared for twenty-four weeks during their reunion two decades later.

Live shows and touring

Despite Kirshner's objections, Columbia decided to organize live concerts for the Monkees following the success of their television series and records. The group made their live debut in December 1966 in Hawaii. These concerts surpassed expectations, with fan excitement rivaling Beatlemania, which encouraged the band to push for greater control over their musical output.

Dispute with Kirshner

At the beginning of 1967, a dispute emerged regarding the Monkees' participation in studio recordings. Dolenz disclosed that session players from the Wrecking Crew performed backing tracks on the first two albums, while the band members were initially limited in their instrumental contributions. Nesmith openly criticized this approach, emphasizing their lack of creative involvement.

The group resisted limitations that barred them from playing instruments or incorporating more of their own compositions. Tensions escalated when Kirshner relocated recording sessions to New York, excluding the band until vocal parts were added. Nesmith credited the show's producers for supporting their struggle against music publishing control.

On January 16, 1967, the Monkees recorded together as a fully self-contained band for the first time, laying down early versions of Nesmith's "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" along with other tracks. Meanwhile, Kirshner released More of the Monkees without consulting the band, further aggravating them due to ignored song choices and unauthorized use of a composite image from a J.C. Penney advertisement on the album cover. The band members were compelled to buy copies themselves.

A tense confrontation took place at the Beverly Hills Hotel involving Nesmith, Kirshner, and Colgems attorney Herb Moelis, culminating in Nesmith demanding changes to music production authority while acknowledging existing contractual commitments. Despite these disputes, each member accepted royalty payments totaling $250,000.

Colgems and the Monkees agreed that material created by the band would not be mixed with unrelated productions overseen by Kirshner; however, Kirshner breached this agreement by issuing a single featuring Neil Diamond's "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" paired with an early Davy Jones recording—this release was quickly withdrawn and led to Kirshner's removal.

Fueled by the successful single "I'm a Believer" b/w "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone," More of the Monkees became their highest-selling album, remaining on Billboard charts for 70 weeks with 18 weeks at number one and ranking among the decade’s top-selling albums. "I'm a Believer," penned by Neil Diamond, topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks and was 1967’s best-selling single.

During their 1967 UK tour, criticism arose after it was revealed that the Monkees did not always perform instruments or backing vocals on their studio recordings. They were dubbed the "Pre-Fab Four" and disparaged as a "disgrace to the pop world" by some press outlets. Nevertheless, George Harrison commended their self-produced efforts; Peter Tork later contributed to Harrison’s album Wonderwall Music. Nesmith attended a Beatles recording session and received praise from John Lennon for their comedic abilities.

Headquarters and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.

Following Kirshner’s removal as musical supervisor in February 1967, Nesmith appointed Chip Douglas as producer for the Monkees' album Headquarters. This project marked a significant milestone as the band members predominantly played their own instruments for the first time, with Douglas overseeing production, engineering sessions, and contributing bass on most recordings. Both Headquarters and its successor, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., provided much of the soundtrack for the Monkees' second television season.

In March 1967, the track "The Girl I Knew Somewhere," penned by Nesmith and performed by Dolenz, Nesmith, Tork, and bassist John London, was issued as the B-side to "A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You". The A-side climbed to No. 2 on the charts, while its B-side reached No. 39.

When released in May 1967, Headquarters did not feature any singles in the U.S. but became the group’s third straight album to top the charts. Its sound reflected a departure from earlier bubblegum pop toward a country-folk-rock style under Kirshner’s absence. The album claimed the No. 1 spot on May 24 but was soon overtaken by the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, holding at No. 2 for eleven weeks during the "Summer of Love". Internationally, Dolenz’s composition and vocal performance on "Randy Scouse Git"—retitled "Alternate Title" due to its contentious name—secured No. 2 positions in both the UK and Norway.

Tork contributed "For Pete's Sake," which became the closing theme for their TV show. Nesmith added songs such as "Sunny Girlfriend," featuring pedal steel guitar arrangements, and "You Told Me," notable for its banjo introduction parodying the Beatles' "Taxman". Other significant tracks included "You Just May Be the One", "Shades of Gray", and "No Time". Approximately half of the album's material was written by band members themselves alongside two experimental compositions.

The Los Angeles Times recognized Headquarters for its enhanced songwriting quality and consistent excellence throughout.

Despite this collaborative success, the approach was short-lived. Nesmith later reflected on harsh criticism from media and counterculture circles that questioned their authenticity, which caused internal difficulties and prompted a return to original songwriting methods after Kirshner’s departure.

Tork expressed a preference for Headquarters over Pisces, appreciating its demonstration of band cohesion despite Dolenz’s waning enthusiasm for drumming duties. Producer Chip Douglas remarked that Dolenz’s drum performances often required substantial editing.

By late 1967, individual members began exploring separate musical paths: Nesmith gravitated toward country-rock influences while Jones leaned into Broadway-style arrangements. The November 1967 release of Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. marked a resurgence of extensive session musician involvement—including The Wrecking Crew, Louie Shelton, Glen Campbell, Stephen Stills, and Neil Young—although creative decisions regarding song choices and production remained under the band’s control.

Pisces secured their fourth consecutive No. 1 album position, maintaining that ranking for five weeks. It featured successful singles such as "Pleasant Valley Sunday" (No. 3) and "Words" (No. 11), alongside early adoption of Moog synthesizer sounds on tracks like "Daily Nightly" and "Star Collector". Nesmith’s composition "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?" played an influential role in shaping country-rock; his intention was to guide the Monkees toward blending country-blues elements with innovative genre experimentation.

Their subsequent single, "Daydream Believer," highlighted Tork’s piano introduction and achieved No. 1 status. The B-side "Goin' Down" featured guitars by Nesmith and Tork with Dolenz on lead vocals. Remarkably, at that time, the Monkees simultaneously held top positions on both singles and album charts.

Both albums experienced renewed chart presence during the Monkees’ 1986 reunion tour, collectively remaining on charts for seventeen weeks.

The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees

Starting in November 1967, the Monkees ended their collaboration with producer Chip Douglas and took greater control over their recording sessions, predominantly crafting songs as individual efforts despite the collective band credit. Although Boyce and Hart produced a handful of tracks, contractual obligations credited the Monkees as the producers.

Driven by successful singles such as "Daydream Believer," "Valleri," and Nesmith's top 40 hit "Tapioca Tundra," The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard charts following its April 1968 release. This album marked their first after NBC canceled The Monkees television series. The cover art—a collage resembling a knickknack shelf—was selected against the band's preferences. Notably, it was the final Monkees album issued with distinct mono and stereo versions. Upon their 1986 reunion, the album re-entered the charts for an 11-week duration.

Beyond television and Head

Following the conclusion of their TV show in 1968, the Monkees starred in Head, a satirical musical film produced and written by Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson, with Rafelson directing.

The movie's concept originated during creative sessions at a resort in Ojai, California, reportedly influenced by marijuana use. Nicholson crafted the screenplay based on these recordings, allegedly while under the influence of LSD. When Dolenz, Jones, and Nesmith were denied directorial and writing credits, they staged a one-day strike that strained their relationship with producers Rafelson and Bert Schneider, effectively ending their partnership.

Head diverged significantly from the TV series by parodying its theme song and receiving minimal promotional support that excluded mention of the Monkees’ name. Due to poor audience reception, its runtime was cut from 110 to 86 minutes before premiering in New York and Hollywood in November 1968. The film failed commercially and alienated both their teenage fanbase and counterculture viewers. Rafelson later expressed ambivalence regarding the group's talents.

The accompanying soundtrack reached No. 45 on Billboard and No. 24 in Canada. Critics characterized it as a psychedelic pop album incorporating elements of musique concrète alongside styles such as Broadway tunes and lo-fi rock. This was the first Monkees record without any Boyce and Hart songs, highlighting compositions by band members—especially Tork’s acid rock pieces regarded as some of his finest work.

A distinctive mylar cover reflecting viewers’ images symbolized the album's title Head. Peter Tork commended Nicholson’s unique approach to assembling the soundtrack independently from the film.

Released in October 1968, the single "The Porpoise Song" (written by Goffin and King) reached No. 62 on Billboard and No. 26 in Canada.

Although initially unsuccessful at the box office, Head eventually garnered a cult following. In 2013, Rolling Stone placed its soundtrack at number 25 on their list of "The 25 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time."

Tork's resignation, Instant Replay and The Monkees Present

Internal tensions escalated within the group, culminating in Peter Tork's departure after he bought out the remaining four years of his contract at $150,000 annually. He exited following the band's Far East tour between September and October 1968 and after completing their reduced-role NBC special, 33⅓ Revolutions Per Monkee. As a farewell gift, Nesmith presented Tork with a gold watch inscribed "From the guys down at work." Most tracks from this special remained unreleased officially until over four decades later when included in Rhino Handmade Deluxe boxed sets for Head and Instant Replay.

In February 1969, the Monkees released their seventh studio album, Instant Replay, featuring minimal participation from Tork aside from guitar on one track. The album peaked at No. 32 in U.S. charts and No. 45 in Canada. Its single "Tear Drop City" reached No. 56 stateside, No. 27 in Canada, and No. 34 in Australia. Dolenz contributed "Shorty Blackwell," his most extensive production effort with the band inspired by his cat and influenced by Sgt. Pepper. In April 1969, they released the single "Someday Man" backed with "Listen to the Band"; notably Nesmith’s country-rock B-side outperformed its A-side counterpart on charts.

October 1969 saw the release of their eighth album, The Monkees Present, marking Nesmith’s final participation with the original lineup; it peaked at No. 100 on Billboard. The record included Nesmith’s country-rock singles "Listen to the Band" and "Good Clean Fun," which attained No. 80 in Canada. Dolenz’s track "Little Girl," featuring Louie Shelton on electric guitar alongside Dolenz’s acoustic performance, was another standout.

During summer 1969, the trio toured alongside soul group Sam and the Goodtimers with shows extending beyond two hours—a notable increase compared to earlier tours. While some critics like those at Billboard lauded these performances for their energy, others disapproved of blending pop with R&B styles. Toward tour’s end, declining ticket sales caused cancellations; no singles reached Top 40 that year. Reflecting later, Dolenz described this period as “like kicking a dead horse,” acknowledging their commercial zenith had passed.

Nesmith's departure, Changes album, and the group's dissolution

On April 14, 1970, Nesmith reunited with Dolenz and Jones for the final time as the original Monkees to shoot a Kool-Aid commercial, which depicted the trio casually tossing Nerf balls in a staged living room setting. Following this, Nesmith departed to concentrate on his country-rock project, Michael Nesmith & the First National Band, which had commenced recording sessions on February 10, 1970.

Changes, marking the ninth and concluding album of the Monkees' initial era, featured the single "Oh My My" (peaking at No. 98 in the US) accompanied by a music video directed by Dolenz. Additionally, Dolenz penned "Midnight Train," which was incorporated into reruns of the Monkees television series. The single "Oh My My" backed with "I Love You Better" represented the final release credited to the Monkees in the United States until 1986. Although issued in June 1970, Changes did not enter Billboard's Top 200 until the band's 1986 reunion propelled it to No. 152 for a four-week duration.

The last studio session took place on September 22, 1970, with Jones and Dolenz recording "Do It in the Name of Love" and "Lady Jane." This single was mixed in February 1971 and issued later that year. Subsequently, Jones and Dolenz lost legal rights to use the Monkees name in several territories including the U.S., where the single was mistakenly credited to "Mickey Dolenz and Davy Jones."

After disbanding, Jones and Dolenz embarked on solo ventures and toured as a duo throughout the 1970s.

In a 1977 interview, Nesmith inaccurately claimed that the Monkees had outsold both the Beatles and Rolling Stones combined in 1967—a statement that was later echoed in media despite its lack of factual basis.

Revival during the 1980s

Initially regarded by critics in the late 1960s as a manufactured pop ensemble, The Monkees saw a significant resurgence during the mid-1980s. This revival was triggered by an MTV marathon of their original TV episodes titled "Pleasant Valley Sunday" on February 23, 1986, alongside daily reruns broadcast on Nickelodeon. These airings rekindled widespread enthusiasm known as "Monkeemania," culminating in a highly successful concert tour that expanded from intimate venues to becoming one of the most prominent live acts throughout 1986 and 1987.

The reunion process began early in 1986 when Peter Tork and Davy Jones performed together in Australia. By May, Micky Dolenz joined Jones and Tork to announce their "20th Anniversary Tour," which launched across North America in June. The tour’s popularity extended internationally through Australia and Europe before concluding in North America by September 1989, reestablishing their presence within popular culture.

Sales of original albums surged during this period, bolstered by a newly released greatest hits collection that earned platinum certification. The band also issued their first single since 1971, "That Was Then, This Is Now", which climbed to No. 20 on Billboard charts. However, Jones opted not to record this track or two additional songs included on the compilation Then & Now... The Best of The Monkees, creating friction as some releases credited only Dolenz and Tork. Despite this discord, Jones participated in their subsequent album Pool It! (1987).

To support Pool It!, Rhino Records issued "Heart and Soul: The Official Monkee Videography," a collection featuring music videos along with interviews.

Throughout this era, Michael Nesmith made occasional appearances but remained largely uninvolved due to commitments with his Pacific Arts video production company and did not take part in studio recordings.

1990s reunions

The Monkees released their eleventh studio album, Justus, in 1996, marking the first time since 1968 that all four original members collaborated on both performance and production. Each track was composed by one or two band members, and the recording process was handled exclusively by the group, which inspired the album's title.

In 1996, Dolenz, Jones, and Tork came together for a successful 30th anniversary amphitheater tour across the United States. Nesmith joined them onstage during a Los Angeles show to help promote Justus. The following year, in 1997, Nesmith reunited with the band for a UK tour that featured two sold-out performances at Wembley Arena, a venue where The Monkees had made history as the first group to headline solo in 1967. Afterward, Tork, Jones, and Dolenz embarked on a U.S. tour without Nesmith.

The complete quartet also appeared in an ABC television special titled Hey, Hey, It's the Monkees, which Nesmith wrote and directed as a parody of their original series. After concluding the UK tour, Nesmith opted not to continue performing with the band.

2000s reunions

Following their tours in 1997, The Monkees regrouped in 2001 for a U.S. tour that was marred by public disagreements. Dolenz and Jones announced they had dismissed Tork due to his complaints and threats to leave the group. Tork confirmed this decision and expressed his intention to focus on touring with his own band, Shoe Suede Blues. He attributed his departure to backstage tensions and his efforts to recover from alcoholism, which were complicated by excessive drinking among crew members. In 2011, Tork clarified that alcohol was only a minor factor in his exit, taking responsibility for his own "meltdown" and apologizing for any inappropriate conduct.

45th anniversary tour and Jones's death

The An Evening with The Monkees: The 45th Anniversary Tour, which did not include Nesmith, kicked off on May 12, 2011, in Liverpool, England,<ref> before proceeding with 43 shows across North America through July.<ref> Biographer Andrew Sandoval observed that the tour recaptured "the old magic," delivering the group's most impressive live performance in decades. It generated approximately $4 million in revenue.<ref>

On August 8, 2011, ten scheduled concerts were canceled due to "internal group issues," which Tork later attributed to unresolved business coordination challenges that caused a disruption within the band.<ref>

Jones mentioned that the tour was initially planned only through July and praised the renewed spirit among members both onstage and off. However, extending the schedule resulted in demanding performances lasting up to two and a half hours—physically taxing given their age.<ref>

This commemorative tour was Jones's final one before he passed away from a heart attack at age 66 on February 29, 2012.<ref><ref>

Reunion with Nesmith

On August 8, 2012, the surviving trio announced a series of U.S. concerts scheduled for November and December, beginning in Escondido, California and concluding in New York City. This short tour marked Nesmith’s first appearances with The Monkees since 1997. Throughout these performances, Jones’s legacy was honored through recordings and video tributes—most notably during "I Wanna Be Free," accompanied by footage of him. For Jones’s iconic song "Daydream Believer," Dolenz remarked that they encouraged fans to sing along because "It doesn't belong to us anymore. It belongs to you."

The fall 2012 tour garnered enthusiastic responses from both fans and critics alike, prompting a subsequent summer tour in 2013 entitled "A Midsummer's Night with the Monkees," featuring Nesmith, Dolenz, and Tork. Dolenz told Rolling Stone that the overwhelmingly positive reception of the previous tour demonstrated strong demand for additional shows. A third tour including Nesmith followed in 2014.

In March of that year, The Monkees were inducted into the Pop Music Hall of Fame.

Good Times!, 50th Anniversary, and Touring

In 2015, Dolenz and Tork performed as the Monkees without Nesmith, who cited involvement in other projects, although Dolenz expressed openness to his participation.

Dolenz revealed in February 2016 the upcoming release of Good Times!, a commemorative album marking the group's 50th anniversary. This record includes contributions from all three living members alongside archival vocals from Jones recorded during the 1960s. Upon its May 2016 release, the album reached number 14 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Following the album launch, Dolenz and Tork embarked on a 50th anniversary tour. Nesmith's involvement was limited due to other obligations; however, he made several notable appearances: remotely via Skype for the performance of "Papa Gene's Blues," joined in person for a four-song encore, and temporarily replaced Tork during a family emergency. Additionally, Nesmith participated in a concert held at Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre in September 2016.

The Mike and Micky Show, Christmas Party, and Passing of Tork

On February 20, 2018, the announcement was made for "The Monkees Present: The Mike and Micky Show," marking the first tour featuring Dolenz and Nesmith as a duo. Tork was not part of this lineup due to health complications that were disclosed only after his passing. While performing classic Monkees material and promoting the tour under the Monkees name, Dolenz and Nesmith emphasized that these concerts were presented as a duo rather than official Monkees performances. Nesmith clarified, "There’s no pretense there about Micky and I being the Monkees. We’re not."

The tour was interrupted in June 2018 when Nesmith required quadruple bypass surgery following ongoing health issues. After spending a month hospitalized, Dolenz and Nesmith rescheduled the postponed shows for March 2019.

The Monkees issued their inaugural holiday-themed album, Christmas Party, on October 12, 2018. This collection blends holiday classics with original compositions by modern songwriters, featuring fresh recordings by the three surviving members alongside two previously recorded tracks with Jones.

Tork succumbed to cancer on February 21, 2019. Subsequent to his passing, Dolenz and Nesmith’s rescheduled and additional dates for "The Mike and Micky Tour" were officially promoted as Monkees concerts.

Dolenz Sings Nesmith, Farewell Tour, and Nesmith's Passing

In May 2021, Dolenz released his solo project titled Dolenz Sings Nesmith, which showcases songs written by Nesmith and was produced by Christian Nesmith.

Following "The Mike and Micky Show," Dolenz and Nesmith intended to launch a follow-up tour named An Evening with the Monkees in early 2020; however, it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 4, 2021, they announced new dates as part of a farewell tour. "The Monkees Farewell Tour" consisted of over forty performances across the United States from September through November but did not include Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia because of pandemic-related restrictions. The final concert took place on November 14, 2021, at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre.

Nesmith passed away from heart failure on December 10, 2021, less than one month after concluding the farewell tour, leaving Dolenz as the only surviving member of the Monkees.

Micky Dolenz

In early 2022, Dolenz revealed plans for the "Micky Dolenz Celebrates the Monkees 2022 Tour," scheduled for April. As of October 2025, he remains active on the road throughout the United States with his latest production titled "Micky Dolenz of The Monkees: Songs & Stories."

Impact and legacy

The Monkees were specifically designed to appeal to the youth demographic, serving as American television's response to the Beatles phenomenon. According to Andrew Sandoval in The Hollywood Reporter, they were trailblazers in developing the music video format and left a lasting influence on boy bands ranging from New Kids on the Block to the Jonas Brothers. Their commercial achievements also provided financial backing for landmark films such as Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces, which played a key role in advancing the New Hollywood era.

Davy Jones expressed in the Chicago Tribune that numerous musicians have acknowledged the Monkees as a source of inspiration. Surprisingly, punk rock bands from the mid-1970s, including the Sex Pistols and Minor Threat, became admirers and covered their tracks. In 1979, Japanese new wave group the Plastics released a synthesizer-driven rendition of "Last Train to Clarksville."

Glenn A. Baker characterized the Monkees as "rock's first great embarrassment" due to their manufactured image, despite widespread use of session musicians among prominent bands at the time. Nevertheless, columnist Paul Levinson emphasized their importance as a television-originated rock ensemble that achieved tangible success beyond the screen.

After Jones passed away in 2012, Time writer James Poniewozik commended the series for its stylistic daring and distinctive humor, highlighting Jones’ contribution in merging mass appeal with artistic innovation.

The Monkees produced four albums that reached number one—The Monkees, More of the Monkees, Headquarters, and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd.—alongside three chart-topping singles: "Last Train to Clarksville," "I'm a Believer," and "Daydream Believer." They sold over 21 million records within the United States alone, with all four albums hitting number one in 1967—a record still unbeaten as of 2021.

In popular culture

The Criterion Collection, known for issuing significant classic and modern films with superior technical standards and original bonus features, fully restored and released The Monkees' film Head on DVD and Blu-ray in 2010. They praised it as "far ahead of its time" and arguably "the most genuinely psychedelic film produced in 1960s Hollywood." Although it did not achieve commercial success upon release, Head has since attained cult status.

In Hey, Hey We're The Monkees, director Rafelson explained that with Head he utilized pioneering filmmaking techniques such as underwater sequences, polarization effects, and intricate double-matte visuals. The movie earned underground acclaim after receiving accolades as a cinematic masterpiece from the head of France’s Cinematheque.

In 2010, the Nick Vernier Band orchestrated a digital reunion of sorts by releasing Mister Bob (featuring the Monkees), a new track licensed through Rhino Entertainment that incorporated vocal samples from The Monkees’ recording "Zilch."

The contract bridge convention called Last Train or Last Train to Clarksville was named by its creator Jeff Meckstroth in homage to The Monkees’ song.

Comic books

Between 1967 and 1969, Dell Comics released a comic book series titled The Monkees in the United States, which comprised 17 issues.

In 1967, the United Kingdom's Daily Mirror published a "Crazy Cartoon Book" that included four comic strips along with black-and-white photographs of the Monkees.

Biopic

The television biographical film Daydream Believers: The Monkees' Story was produced by VH-1 in the year 2000.

Musical

A stage production honoring Davy Jones premiered at the Manchester Opera House on March 30, 2012. This jukebox musical featured Stephen Kirwan, Ben Evans, Tom Parsons, and Oliver Savile portraying the members of the Monkees. The storyline revolves around a businessman who hires actors to impersonate the band during a global tour. Incorporating 18 songs by the Monkees alongside other popular hits from the 1960s, the show ran in Manchester until April 14 before embarking on a UK tour with performances at Glasgow King's Theatre and Sunderland Empire Theatre.

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards, administered by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), honor exceptional accomplishments in the music industry, standing alongside the Emmy, Tony, and Academy Awards in their respective domains.

Year	Category	Nominated work	Result
1967	Best Contemporary (R&R) Recording	"Last Train to Clarksville"	Template:Nom
	Best Contemporary (R&R) Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental		Template:Nom
1968	Best Performance by a Vocal Group	"I'm a Believer"	Template:Nom
	Best Contemporary Group Performance (Vocal or Instrumental)		Template:Nom

Notable achievements

• Introduced the Jimi Hendrix Experience to their initial U.S. concert tour audience by serving as their opening act in July 1967.
• Inspired Gene Roddenberry to develop the character Chekov on Star Trek, modeled after Davy Jones's look.
• Entered America's Pop Music Hall of Fame in 2014.
• Honored with the Music Business Association's Outstanding Achievement Award during their 50th anniversary celebration in May 2016.
• Became inductees of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2007.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Despite considerable advocacy from various media sources such as Time, NPR, and Goldmine, urging for the Monkees' induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the band has yet to be honored. Although supported by fans and recognized within the industry, induction has remained elusive. In 1992, Davy Jones voiced doubts about their chances. Later in 2007, Peter Tork claimed that Jann Wenner prevented their inclusion due to the band's early dependence on outside songwriters and session musicians.

Members

• Micky Dolenz – vocals (lead and backing), rhythm guitar, drums, percussion, keyboards (active 1966–1971, 1976, 1986–1989, 1996–1997, 2001–2002, 2011–2021)
• Davy Jones – lead and backing vocals, percussion, drums, rhythm guitar, bass guitar (1966–1971, 1976, 1986–1989, 1996–1997, 2001–2002, 2011–2012; deceased 2012)
• Michael Nesmith – lead and rhythm guitars, keyboards, lead and backing vocals (1966–1970, 1986, 1989, 1996–1997, 2012–2014, 2016, 2018–2021; deceased 2021)
• Peter Tork – bass guitar, rhythm and lead guitars, keyboards, banjo, backing and occasional lead vocals (1966–1968, 1976, 1986–1989, 1996–1997, 2001, 2011–2018; deceased 2019)

Discography

• The Monkees (1966)
• More of the Monkees (1967)
• Headquarters (1967)
• Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. (1967)
• The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees (1968)
• Head (1968)
• Instant Replay (1969)
• The Monkees Present (1969)
• Changes (1970)
• Pool It! (1987)
• Justus (1996)
• Good Times! (2016)
• Christmas Party (2018)

See also

• List of The Monkees episodes
• Monkeemobile

External links

• Mike Nesmith Interview - Rocker Magazine 2013
• Peter Tork Interview at NAMM Oral History Collection (2009)
• FBI Records: The Vault - The Monkees at vault.fbi.gov