The Monkees: Did You Know?

Fun Facts & Untold Stories About The Monkees

The Monkees were a band that defied conventions. Originally created for a TV show in 1966, they quickly became a global sensation, blending pop-rock with humor and capturing the hearts of millions. However, there’s much more to The Monkees than just their TV show personas. Here are some fun facts and lesser-known stories that reveal the fascinating history behind this iconic band.

1. The Monkees Were Originally Hired as Actors

The Monkees began as a television project, not a traditional band. Producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider were looking for actors who could sing and play instruments, aiming to create a TV show about a fictional band inspired by The Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night. After a casting call that drew in hundreds of applicants, they hired Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork—none of whom had played together before.

Interestingly, only Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork were accomplished musicians at the time. Micky Dolenz was a former child actor who learned to play drums after being cast, and Davy Jones, a singer and actor, had a background on Broadway. Despite being actors hired for a TV show, The Monkees eventually evolved into a real band that recorded and performed live.

2. They Fought for Musical Control

In the early days of The Monkees, the band had little creative control over their music. Don Kirshner, the show’s musical supervisor, chose the songs, and session musicians played the instruments on their first albums. However, after their early success, the band members became increasingly frustrated with being treated as actors rather than musicians. Michael Nesmith led the charge, famously punching a hole in the wall during a heated meeting with Kirshner.

The band eventually gained creative control over their music, with their third album, Headquarters (1967), being the first where they played most of the instruments themselves. This shift marked an important turning point, as they proved they were more than just a TV band—they were real musicians capable of creating their own sound.

3. The Monkees Outsold The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in 1967

Despite being initially dismissed by critics as a “manufactured” band, The Monkees achieved massive commercial success. In 1967, at the height of “Monkeemania,” they outsold both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones—two of the biggest bands in the world at the time. Their albums More of The Monkees and Headquarters dominated the charts, and they became pop culture icons practically overnight.

Their success wasn’t just limited to the U.S.; The Monkees became international stars, with legions of devoted fans in the UK, Australia, and Japan, to name a few.

4. Jimi Hendrix Opened for The Monkees

This might sound like an odd pairing, but in 1967, Jimi Hendrix was the opening act for The Monkees during their U.S. tour! The tour organizers believed that Hendrix, who was then just beginning to make a name for himself in the U.S., would benefit from the exposure to The Monkees’ massive fan base. However, it didn’t go quite as planned.

The teenage Monkees fans, who were expecting pop hits like “Daydream Believer,” were baffled by Hendrix’s wild guitar solos and psychedelic sound. Hendrix reportedly grew frustrated with the lukewarm reception and left the tour after only a few shows. Still, it’s a legendary story of two very different musical worlds colliding.

5. Michael Nesmith’s Hat Became a Trademark

When you think of Michael Nesmith, you might picture him in his iconic wool hat. But that hat wasn’t originally meant to be his signature look—it was purely functional. During his audition for The Monkees, Nesmith wore the hat to keep his hair out of his eyes. The producers liked the quirky look, and the hat became a part of his character on the show.

Over time, Nesmith’s green wool hat became so closely associated with him that fans would send him hats in the mail. It became such an iconic part of his image that, even today, many fans still think of him as “the guy in the hat.”

6. The Monkees Starred in a Surrealist Movie: Head

In 1968, The Monkees tried to break away from their bubblegum pop image with the release of the experimental film Head. Written by Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson, Head was a bizarre, psychedelic satire that took aim at the music industry, Hollywood, and even The Monkees’ own manufactured image.

The film was a critical and commercial failure when it was released, confusing many of the band's younger fans. However, Head has since become a cult classic, appreciated for its bold and unconventional storytelling. It’s now considered one of the most unusual rock films ever made, with fans praising its subversive humor and experimental style.

7. Peter Tork Was a Musical Prodigy

While many of the early Monkees songs were written by outside songwriters, Peter Tork was a highly talented multi-instrumentalist. In fact, he was recommended for the band by Stephen Stills (of Crosby, Stills & Nash fame), who was turned down for the role himself because of his teeth. Stills suggested his friend Tork, knowing he was an accomplished musician.

Tork played multiple instruments, including guitar, bass, banjo, and keyboards, and contributed significantly to the band’s later albums. His musical skills were especially showcased on the album Headquarters, where he played bass and keyboards on most tracks.

8. Davy Jones Nearly Became a Jockey

Before joining The Monkees, Davy Jones had a completely different career in mind—he wanted to be a jockey! As a young man, Jones trained as an apprentice jockey in his native England. In fact, even after his Monkees fame, Jones never lost his love for horse racing and occasionally worked as a jockey at horse races.

It’s fascinating to imagine what might have happened if Jones had pursued his original dream of becoming a jockey. Instead, he became a teen idol, thanks to his role as the heartthrob of The Monkees.

9. They Pioneered the Music Video Format

The Monkees’ TV show, which featured the band performing musical numbers, essentially helped pioneer the modern music video. Each episode included short, comedic performances of their songs, blending music and visual storytelling in a way that was ahead of its time.

These performances, with their quirky editing and creative use of camera techniques, directly influenced the music video format that would become popular in the 1980s with MTV. In many ways, The Monkees helped shape the idea of what a music video could be.

10. The Monkees Reunited Several Times

Despite disbanding in the early 1970s, The Monkees reunited several times over the years. The first major reunion came in 1986, when MTV began airing reruns of The Monkees TV show, sparking a resurgence in the band’s popularity. The band embarked on a highly successful reunion tour, and new albums followed. Though the group members didn’t always see eye to eye—especially regarding musical direction—they continued to reunite for special projects and tours well into the 2000s. Even after Davy Jones' passing in 2012, the remaining members carried on the band’s legacy, with Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz performing together as recently as 2021.

The Monkees’ Legacy

The Monkees’ legacy extends far beyond their TV show beginnings. From their battle for creative control to their unexpected collaborations and cult film status, The Monkees proved themselves to be much more than a manufactured pop act. They left an indelible mark on music and pop culture, blending humour, talent, and a rebellious spirit that continues to inspire fans to this day.

One of the most meaningful and iconic lyrics from The Monkees comes from their song "Daydream Believer":

"Cheer up, sleepy Jean, oh what can it mean, to a daydream believer and a homecoming queen?"

This lyric resonates with many listeners because it captures the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia, growing up, and the loss of youthful dreams. It reflects a longing for simpler times and the tension between idealized daydreams and the realities of life. The combination of hope and melancholy makes it one of the most memorable and emotionally impactful lines in The Monkees' catalog.