Beech Tree News Network

Bands get their starts in a myriad of different ways.  Have there ever been any bands who started on a television show and became real? This first entrant, you might not believe.  

The Monkees were originally a fictional band created for the NBC television sitcom of the same name.  Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork were cast to portray members of a band in the sitcom.  Music credited to The Monkees appeared in the sitcom and was released on LP’s (that’s long play, kids) and singles beginning in 1966.  The sitcom aired from 1966-68.  At first, the band members’ musical contributions were limited to lead vocals and the occasional composition, with the remaining music provided by professional songwriters and studio musicians.  This arrangement yielded multiple hit albums and singles.  However, the band revolted and, after a brief power struggle, gained full control over the recording process in 1967.  For two albums, The Monkees performed as a group.  Within a year, each member was pursuing his own interest under The Monkees’ name.  Between waning popularity and bandmembers beginning to leave the group, The Monkees held their final recording session in 1970 before breaking up.  Renewed interest emerged in the Monkees in 1986, leading to a 20th anniversary reunion.  Over the next 35 years, the group reunited for reunion tours, a major network television special, and the production of new studio albums.  

After the deaths of Jones in 2012 and Tork in 2019, Dolenz and Nesmith undertook a farewell tour in 2021.  This tour concluded shortly before Nesmith’s death later that year, leaving Dolenz as the sole surviving member.  The Monkees released 13 studio albums, 4 box sets, 17 compilation albums, 4 live albums, 16 singles, one television show and several films.  The Monkees weren’t the only fictional band to cross over into reality.  Who shares this illustrious honor? You’ll have to come back next week for the answer.

This is the place where I usually share my podcast links.  However, last week my podcast platform shut down the function that allows me to record new episodes.  I’m researching other options and will keep you posted.  Thanks for reading!