i absolutely hate that they are called the "prefab four." i don't think some folks give them enough credit for what they had to deal with in the beginning...but they showed every one !!! i will love them forever !!!

The Monkees had more cool tunes than people knew. The Door Into Summer being one of the best.

I've been into the so called cool music since I was a teen, hard rock, prog , jazz fusion etc . My guilty pleasure has always been the Monkees!

I loved the Monkees as a kid and always will. They were a part of my life❤

Nez's solo stuff is essential. He definitely performed to a "Different Drum".

The Monkees were one of my all time favorites and they were one of the best of the best !! I don't see them as ever falling.

Micky is one of the great lead singers of the Pop Music Era. Like his contemporaries Mark Lindsay and Burton Cummings, he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. As to the Monkees. They were an invented band that through the sheer will and talent of the members became a real band. And a great one. That’s how they should be remembered.

Thanks Tim. I know I'm not the only boomer who made some scratch playing Monkees covers in bar bands in the 70s. Thanks for the good times guys.

I grew up on The Monkees reruns and loved every moment.

Davy Jones was my first crush as an 8 year old. I played Daydream Believer non-stop for weeks. Pre-Fab or not they were terrific to this girl.

I had the chance to visit Mickey Dolenz house in Laurel Canyon back in the 80s. I found two pictures in the attic of his house. Still have them to this day.

Love the Monkees since the beginning when I was 10. Still love everything these guys did, although Peter was my favorite Monkee. Always takes me to my happy place! RIP Davy, Peter, Mike. Micky still keeping the legacy alive!!! ❤

So this is the first vid under the official new name, Rock Essentials. Hope you like it!

My first album was a monkees album as well ive been goin thru another monkees deep dive ive always been a fan others even tho im 23 ive always been a 50s and 60s guy and i just saw micky in concert last Saturday..

Pretty Fabulous fab four! YES count me in. Saw Mike and Micky at Atlantic City and numerous times, solo and a group I just love the music the tv show and all! Oh yeah I was 10 when they hit the airways and I have been a fan ever since and I'm in my 60's now. Lol. Thank you for presenting them in a very positive light which they desreve.

Happy Birthday to Davy and Mike. Here's to ya!

It was the tone of Mickey's voice that really made them IMO

And speaking of the Wrecking Crew, methinks they more than deserve one of your fact-filled and well-researched segments. What say, Tim?

I really enjoyed this, especially seeing those legendary houses! I'm a Gen Xer who discovered them in their MTV years and I have been obsessed ever since. I am lucky enough to have seen them in concert in many different incarnations. It breaks my heart that Micky is the only one left. If you like the Monkees at all, and Micky is in your area, run, dont walk to see him. He puts on an amazing show and still sounds great! You will not be disappointed.❤❤❤❤

I was lucky to see the Monkees in Seattle before Mike's passing. A fantastic show. Thanks for such a beautiful tour! We'll done! Ben Franks❤

Thanks for the video. I have read in more than one place that Stephen Stills was rejected by the studio because he had "bad teeth" but told his friend Peter Tork about the gig. Your version of events sounds more plausible to me, however. In any event, it's fortunate for the world that Stills didn't get that job, because rock history would have been changed for the worse. No CSN or CSN&Y.

Excellent presentation and analysis. The Monkees were indeed pretty fabulous. Please do a video on the group Love.

Discovered them in 1966 when I was 7. Theyre still my favorite band to this day (I;m now 65). They are the reason I grew to like different genres of music from Davy's pop, Micky's rock and soul to Mike's country rock, they were a big influence on me.

Man, I loved watching The Monkees in 1986. What an awesome video. Thank you!

Thank you for this video. I was 11 when the TV show hit the air, I loved it and it started my love of music. Also, the Monkee's won 2 Emmy's, one for Best Comedy show and one for Best Director. Mike Nesmith had a very difficult time coming to terms with his Monkee success. The music community did a great job back then, taking away any joy the group could receive from their success. Mike, finally came to terms with this and took joy in touring with Micky. In 2019, I saw the Mike & Micky show and let me tell you, it was RHOF. Their creation of the music video should have been one big reason to induct them, let alone the number of albums sold. People bought the story that they didn't play their own music. They did, they had to as they were doing concerts in 1967. Most musicians used studio musicians but because they were a group that did not come together organically they were given a black mark, to not be taken seriously ever. When they were doing the show, they would be bouncing off the walls when they were not in front of the camera, so they built a big black box for them to hang out and smoke pot in. They had 4 colored lights , a color assigned to each Monkee that would light up when they needed them on set. So, in the movie Head. no mattered what they did, they were put back in their big black box.

And Michael Nesmith created MTv Which was The Monkees big come back

These guys obviously don't get the credit they deserve! I remember watching the Monkees reruns as a kid, I was born in '66. I remember these guys as being he laughing stop of the entertainment world, but to say the least, so much credit is due, so much. Thanks for this one, it was truly a good one. Keep sharing.

very good i was born in 62 and i remember watching the original tv series cant rememer what night it was on i want to say friday nights but i could be wrong that tv show must have influenced at least a 100 million kids it sure influenced me

I loved the Monkees

This is wonderful!!!! I was a kid in New York City when the Monkees were on NBC; this brings back many memories; thank you for the backstage view of their show!!

I was 7 when the Monkees TV show premiered. My father did not like the direction the Beatles were headed and stopped buying their albums for us kids. We had the only color TV on our block at that time, so all the neighbors would come over to watch Star Trek, Batman and The Monkees at our house. We had all the albums, sung along to them and loved their music. This video is like a love letter to the Monkees and it is well deserved. Thank you for the props that this band has deserved for many years. And I absolutely love Headquarters. :)

MONKEE'S ALWAYS And Forever PEACE And Love CHERISH EVERY MOMENT TOGETHER

The Monkees were my first favorite group. Had all their albums and watched the show. Still love them!!

Tim, I’m writing a historical fiction novel about the Laurel Canyon scene (specifically the summer of 1970) and I just have to thank you for all your help. There’s some things I just won’t “get” because of my age and location (Texas). I’ve had a hard time connecting some of the dots, and the internet is only so helpful. It’s a bit of a rabbit hole, honestly, but I absolutely love it. Thank you! Thank you! ❤ You’re amazing!

Wow....what a great video! I saw the Monkee's play twice, I saw them all, but never all together. Thanks!

The fact that they are still being kept out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is something that I find really aggravating. Especially given that there are other groups that have been inducted who have never written their own songs or played their own instruments. The Monkees did write some of their own songs and they did play some of their own instruments. They might not have written any of their biggest hits but still. Once the Monkees gained control of their music in 1967, I don't believe there were any tracks where Peter Tork had creative control that only featured session musicians on instruments. I am aware that he didn't play on the tracks 'Ditty Diego ─ War Chant', 'That Was Then, This is Now', 'Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere', 'Kicks', or 'Since You Went Away' which were all recorded after the Monkees gained control of their music. But I have yet to find evidence that he had creative control over any of those tracks. Which is why I haven't counted them. 'That Was Then, This is Now', 'Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere', and 'Kicks' were all pre-recorded tracks.

You wouldn't think Richard Lester deserves much credit for the success of the Monkees but it wasn't until the reedit that was more in line with the way the film he made "A Hard Day's Night". Abrupt camera changes, particularly for quips, zooming in and out as well as up and down. Lester was selected to direct after having the same role creating "The Running, Jumping and Standing Still Film" with Peter Sellers in 1959. He then toured film festivals showing the movie across Europe and the United States for the next couple of years, including the festival at Ohio State University one year.

Good insight on the back story of the Monkey’s, another good job…funny note-earlier this morning I played “More Of The Monkeys” I haven’t played it in years, no BS ✌🏽

The Monkees were an amazing and fantastic band.

I remember watching The Monkees as a young child. Years later I watched and enjoyed the music and their campy humor. Thanks for another video💖

Loved them all, but Nez was my favorite. He wrote the best songs for the Monkees imo and had that great dead pan humor. But i really live much of his music and I'm not even a country, or country rock fan. But there was just something about Nez.

I remember watching "Head" and thouroughly enjoying it. It all made sense. Of course, it helped that I was totally off mine...

I just saw this. What an enjoyable video! Great tour and tidbits about the Monkees. Thank you.

Ya know, if ya listen to what they recorded on 4 track, it still plays today. Kinda hard to imagine leaning on a Barris Custom and arguing about Kirshner producing when your coming up with that kinda stuff.

Thank you for all the research you do to be able to share it all with us. I remember getting out first color tv & being able to watch The Monkees in color. Those were the days when life didn’t seem so serious!

Thanks. Excellent Documentary on one of my favorite American bands. Been to most of the locations shown. HEAD IS A MENTAL TRIP. Seen loaded and sober. A movie that takes you places. (Quite ironically, I got to meet, pose and hear Peter Tork, at a southern California, nightclub, during May 93. He was on the same bill as my friends Beatles tribute band. I was at the Monkees Star Ceremony. Wish I had a better camera, so I could have gotten the photos. Was a groovy day.

Great video! I used to watch the Monkee's in syndication from 1978-1983 on WGN or TBS.

Joanne and Different Drum were my favorite Mike Nesmith songs. My favorite Monkey ❤️

And here I thought I knew everything about the Monkees! Your video really brought their history up close…different takes and thoroughly interesting. I was a teeny bopper among thousands deeply and passionately in love with Davey and, of course, a member of their fan club lol! Thanks for making my day 😊

Thank you for this refreshing perspective of the Monkees. Thoroughly enjoyed it. !

Another great video. I’ll be watching this one a few times. There is still something so magical about this area that draws me in. What a time in American history.

Wow Tim, this was fantastic, and as a kid who discovered rock n' roll initially through Monkees reruns in the 70's I really enjoyed it. Your tours through history are the best thing on YT, imho. Thank you!!

Thanks Tim. Growing up here in Au The Monkeys was simply just a TV show no different to Gilligan's Island. Wasn't until decades later we learnt some of the story but this story is wild. Geez this a fabulous channel 🥰

Great video! The houses the Monkees lived in were awesome! Thanks for sharing! I look forward to seeing more of your videos, Tim! Yes, it is sad. They were 4 guys who though it was a job, they lived each other.

I was never a Monkees fan (sorry, just too saccharine and formulaic for me as a 13 / 14-year-old kid at that time during the mid-1960s after painfully hearing my two younger sisters wear out their Monkees 45s back then), but I always enjoy your fact-filled and expertly-presented retrospective histories of the period in the Laurel Canyon area. Keep up the great work, Tim....

Awesome i luv the monkees

Very cool! Love bios and have not heard much bio of the monkees they were my fav group at the time. Never could pick a fav cuz liked them all the same.

First live concert I ever attended was a rendition of The Monkees in the early 1980s at Ontario Place in Toronto, Canada. I was in my mid-twenties and unimpressed but I remember their catchy hits from the late sixties.

❤🙏🏽 Yet again another loving upload of LA culture and memories, Tim, thank you so much man... my tip-top childhood TV memories of The Monkees, Brady Bunch, and My Favorite Martian still remain alive to me as faint, but ever present, scents of divinity.

This was a very entertaining video, and must have taken lots of work to pack so much info and locations in. The Monkees story is yet another sixties example of hubris and drugs ruining a lovely idea. What we are finally left with is the music, a pure expression of the times.. Thank you for this Tim....Consider yourself subscribed!

Great meeting you tonight at The Troubadour. Thanks for engaging me & my viewers! I'm absolutely blown away by your storytelling. Amazing work.

This video is very cool and I was fortunate enough to have met Micky, Davy and Peter at an autograph signing several years ago and I also saw their first reunion concert in Pittsburgh in 1986 and it was one of the best concerts I have ever seen. Great job on the video, Tim!

She's the same little girl who used to hang around my door - but she sure looks different than the way she looked before.

Love the inside info style you use and the locations...good stuff! THX!😅😅

This is a brilliant look at the landmark parts of LA that were part of Monkee history. It's on my bucket list to do this tour of LA and I will use your video for reference! Excellent mini documentary!

Great video. I loved the monkees as a kid. It was super interesting to hear the entire story arc.

Great Stuff as always Tim ! Growing up watching the series was great fun ! These were the years that influenced and helped shape my love of music and guitars ! Thanks for posting ! Peace, Rudy

You did it again I love it. Had a great time in LA last week using many of your videos as a guide. I also found the original Mr Tambourine cover location! Thanks for the warning about the snakes on the mountain. Look forward to your next video.

The rearch you do for these videos must be overwhelming Tim. I look forward to every one of these that you put out. Well done my friend!

Well done, sir; your insight and anecdotes are superb plus your innate knowledge of the business/instrumental aspects behind the Monkees is truly impressive.

Yes, for a made for TV Vander actually played they played admirably.

The Monkees episodes were groovy for the 60s.

Well produced and shot as always Tim.

Really interesting. Great presentation. Many thanks.

I look forward to each and every one of your videos Tim, they’re so darn good, thank you, I used to go to Mels diner regularly but had no idea of it’s previous life, next time I’m there I’ll see it differently, thanks again, Ken

Hi Tim!! Well done ... you really have a knack for this ...!! Thank you

Wow you are getting so damn *great* at these (actually they've all been wonderful). This channel needs to get into hundreds of thousands of subscribers. I think it's completely possible.

Almost missed this one! Glad it found me! Another outstanding job Tim!!!!!

Great, great episode Tim. I'm of the generation that caught them riding their second wave in the 80s through Nickelodeon/MTV and they were my first rock concert when I was in 4th grade. I vividly remember them coming on to the stage to their theme song and being so excited when suddenly the music began skipping and it was apparent they were not performing live. Horrified, I asked my father what was going on, and he laughed and said it was an intentional gag to play up to their "prefab status." He later had to explain the differences between the Beatles and the Monkees and each band's songwriting and performance process. Despite what was a shocking realization, I have never stopped loving the songs or the shows. PS: Love your musical interludes!

Im a huge huge monkees fan saw them in perth 1988 they never failed and i take offence to that even the beatles liked them rip davy peter and mike

Loved their show and always thought they rocked

That was nice. Thanks. Seems each video/documentary complier adds to the story some detail I'd not previously heard.

Another absolutely superb video, Tim! Ya' does yer homework, ya' gets the pi'tures, and ya' turn out one quality product! Seriously, thanks for what you do. Sunset Gower looks a WHOLE lot different now than it did when I was able to hang out on the EMPTY NEST. My late partner and I bought out cremation niche at Pierce Brothers Westwood Cemetery from a woman who had been Micky's assistant for a number of years, both during and after The Monkees. She was also a Wiccan high priestess. So, we bought our niche from a witch!

I loved the show as a teenager.

Tim, I love your channel. I’ve been watching your videos all day. Thank you so much for all the great information. Definitely subscribed.

All credits to their song writers, the Wrecking Crew and the ones who brought them together and moulded them into a success. It was Fun.

Nice homage sir.

Glad I found this channel

Fabulous history lesson, bravo! There were some good songs that are keepers. I just hated the idiot screaming when the Beatles first arrived, it took a long time for that to wear off.

Thanks Tim! Made my morning...

I like your style. I like the way you film (no harsh turns making the viewer sea sick, a lot of u tubers do this) I like your narration and of course, your content is awesome !!! Nice voice ....good job. You got somethin here.

In addition to CSNY, there are some photos of the Stones staying/ rehearsing at the Tork house in 1969, prior to Altamont.

I've avoided this video for a week because I thought I had known and seen it all regarding The Monkees whom I became enamored with in 1974 when I was 10. I was wrong. Thank you for giving us something different instead of rehashing the same old same old. Head is the best of movie of the '60s and also the best looking movie. Say what you will about Easy Rider or any other Bob R. film, he never ever came close to topping Head. And Nicholson should have written more scripts.

Great episode. Thanks!!

Had The Monkees been a real band from the start this would've been the line up. Micky: Lead Vocals and Rythem Guitar Peter: Lead Guitar and Vocals Mike: Bass and Vocals Davy: Drums and Vocals

Tim so glad to see another video from you. I enjoy your California history and music scene history that you give us. I was a huge Monkees fan. Still am to this day. Their songs are timeless. Much better than the crap out there today. Shades Of Gray is so relevant to today. I love any video and history discussions about Laurel Canyon. That place was magical back in the 60s. I am sure it is nothing today like it used to be. I guess it has to be, with entirely different residents living there. Anyway my friend I am so glad to see you on here again. As always looking forward to the next one.

Great video! Really enjoyed it! I was recently watching a video on the band LOVE were guitarist Bryan MacLean mentions that he auditioned for The Monkees as well.

Good stuff here picked up a few facts I was not aware of previously. Looking forward to what you have lined up for the future!

Thank you!

What a fantastic job you have done on this video! Thank you very much! Subscribed