It is quite incredible that a band that were “manufactured” in the mid 1960s as the American answer to the Beatles have endured long enough to celebrate their 45th Anniversary. The Monkees were designed as a contrived, artificial band to appear in a  TV show in the 1960s, but like the post war short term accomodatiion fix, the pre-fabricated building, they are still standing long after their supposed sell by date!!

Original members Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork will celebrate this major milestone by performing the Monkees Greatest Hits, including ”Daydream Believer”, ”Last Train to Clarksville”, ”I’m a Believer”, over 10 nights commencing at the birthplace of the Beatles, with a gig at the Liverpool Echo Arena on 12th May.

The original life of the Monkees was relatively shortlived. ‘The Monkees’ TV series ran from 1966 to 1968, and after the show was cancelled they continued to release albums and tour until 1971. However their record sales put them up there with the music giants of the 1960s as they sold 50 million records worldwide. Their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was cemented when their icon, John Lennon described them as the ”Marx Brothers of Rock”. This summed up their zanyness perfectly – I always felt that they mirrored the wacky side of the Beatles, and had the Beatles been made up of four Ringo Starrs, the two groups would have been interchangeable. Although folklore and myth have suggested that the Monkees did not play their own instruments, the keystone to their success was their off the wall personalities. Their records may have been manufactured from plastic, but there was nothing manufactured and plastic about the band and their music!!

That said, the band’s music is very memorable. Everybody has their favourite song, and for the record ( if you will pardon the pun!! ) my favourites are “Daydream Believer”, “A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You” and “Alternate Title”. What is your favourite Monkees song?

Why not mark the Monkees 45th Anniversary landmark and preserve some of the Monkees’ back catalogue for posterity as a souvenir?…………Get your favourite Monkees vinyl records or compact discs ( singles or albums ), framed and mounted, by clicking on….. http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Alternatively you can buy a Monkees “Song Souvenir” for a family member, or friend……this would make a unique present or original gift for a special celebration ie a 40th, 50th or 60th Birthday, A Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Mother’s or Father’s Day!! THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

MyFirstRecord.co.uk currently have some of the aforementioned Monkees singles and albums available in their original vinyl record format, on the RCA Label.  Select from this full list of albums ( those highlighted and imaged are currently in stock ) –

* 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)

Have you selected the Monkees album of your choice? Order now, by clicking on…… http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/framed-albums/

Here are The Monkees UK Tour dates. Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.co.uk , www.ticketline.co.uk or www.viagogo.co.uk

May 12 Liverpool Echo Arena
May 24 Manchester Apollo
May 15 Newcastle City Hall
May 16 Glasgow Clyde Auditorium
May 19 London Royal Albert Hall
May 20 Sheffield City Hall
May 21 Birmingham NIA Academy
May 23 Plymouth Pavillions
May 24 Cardiff CIAgoodma
May 25 Nottingham Royal Centre

Monkees Official Websites…… www.monkees.net www.monkees.com

Davy Jones Website…………… www.davyjones.net

For those of a digital persuasion, for all your Monkees Mp3 downloads, click on…….. web2txt.co.uk