The Years Have Past
Wow, Davy Jones died. Just a week or two ago we were celebrating Peter Tork, and next week will be Micky Dolenz' birthday. I always thought the Monkees were a fine band, even if they were manufactured. Of all the major bands of the 60s, they seemed to be the last that could still have a complete reunion. No more.
Davy brought a British music hall vibe to the show, and during the band's heyday was its biggest teen idol, being the cutest (and because of his accent too?). He had a show biz career before the Monkees, by chance appearing as the Artful Dodger on Ed Sullivan the same episode where the Beatles first hit America. He even recorded an album and did TV shots before the Monkees made him famous.
Of course, he's remembered for the Monkees, and sang lead on many of their songs. The only #1 he sang was this:
The Monkees lasted two seasons, and after they went off the air the albums and singles stopped selling. They did manage to make a movie, Head, that essentially burnt their bridges. It's become a cult item, but no one saw it back in 1968. I saw it in college and thought the most memorable moment was "Daddy's Song":
By the 70s the Monkees were forgotten, but Davy still managed to be Marcia Brady's favorite.
The Monkees enjoyed a revival when MTV reran their show in the 80s. The group re-formed (without Mike) and had a new hit album and single, then broke up yet again. But they reappeared every now and then in TV shows and movies, often as a punchline. They also kept performing as a nostalgia act, but it must have been nice to be back on top if only for a while.
For years I've been getting together with friends to play old songs, and there are a few numbers we almost always find time for. One of them Davy sang:
posted by LAGuy @ 12:08 AM
9 Comments:
So I guess David Bowie can go back to his original name.
Took the last train to Clarksville, This event was seeming noted by a huge % of folks on Facebook- nearly every woman over 50.
I find myself humming Daydream Believer and subconsciously mouthing the words, "Wake up sleepy jesus" Hmm
Valleri is my favorite Monkees song. In fact, it is probably in my top twenty pop songs of all time. Did Nesmith write it?
On the radio last night heard I thought a mean-spirited clip of Davy Jones defending himself against accusations that he didn't belong in a band because he could only play the tambourine. He sounded angry, and asserted he had perfect pitch and was as much a musician as anyone.
I imagine there have been lots of bands with a lead singer who didn't really play an instrument. Plus, you always need more cow bell.
I liked the clip of him this morning on the Today Show from an interview a couple of months ago where he laughed that his women fans were throwing their Depends up on stage at him
Not only did Nesmith not write "Valleri," he was angry when the song--an old one by Boyce and Hart--was released as a single after the Monkees had taken control of their musical destiny.
It went to #3 in 1968 and was their last top ten hit.
They come in 3's- Whitney, Davy, and and that fat guy who ranted
No encomium to Breitbart? Several of the Reason folks had some nice bits.
The fat guy who ranted? Michael Moore died?
They were the "coolest" back then. I loved the Monkees as a child and still enjoy listening to them as an adult.
Post a Comment
<< Home