It was many yrs before people/the public/fans began to see the full picture as to what a truly innovative and brilliant mind Micheal had. Extremely intelligent, insightful, talented and funny as hell... Such a rare man.
Mike talking about being the only group who was actually anti-establishment was fantastic. I defended The Monkees for years talking about how they stood up to the powers-that-be when most bands just went along with it and cashed their checks and then fronted as being "anti-establishment."
Oh, they stood up to the powers that be, alright... Except, they stood up to the very people who made them millionaires. The Monkees had the finest producers and songwriters in America writing for them. They had the finest musicians (The Wrecking Crew) making their music. The Monkees were maybe the luckiest people in the history of show business. They were actors who got a taste of success and suddenly thought they were musicians. They were friggin' delusional. They were spoiled brats who were laughed out of show business. Anti-establishment??? You're as delusional as they were.
@@tomcarl8021 They DID stand up and fight for control of their own recorded output. Don Kirshner ruled them with an iron fist and they told the producers of the show it was either him or them. And they fired Kirshner. Very few, if any, artists in the 60s stood up to the powers-that-be. Even The Beatles let Capitol Records cut up their albums until Sgt. Pepper. What I said was absolutely true. You obviously don't know their history. Good day, sir.
@@psychomoonrider8700 They were hired unknown actors on a television show. An actor has no right to demand anything from a producer, a director, or a television network. Hollywood is littered with difficult actors who found their career's over as fast as it started, and that's exactly what happened to the Monkees. I don't know their career's? Oh, yes I do.. 1) Mike never sold one goddamn album as a solo artist. That's why he went into video production. 2) Peter quit show business entirely, and became a teacher. 3) Davy became a cabaret singer and worked cruise ships until his death. 1) I don't know what Mickey did but it certainly didn't involve show business because he was never heard from again. Again, they were not a real band. They were not entitled, or had the same leverage in negotiations that a real band had or has. They signed a television contract as actors. They didn't have to do any of the things a real band has to do to make it. Actually, it's you who doesn't know anything about them. Because it's clear you don't know the first thing about Hollywood or the music business. If you did, you would understand the actors role in a production, and you would be able to differentiate between an actors contract, and a musicians contract. They are not the same.
This is a fascinating timepiece so thanks for posting. Mike is talking at a point where they were just staring to experience their initial downward trend after such great success in '66 and especially '67 . As such, to get Mike's point of view at that particular time period is really fascinating. Funny thing is that I felt the Monkees were getting better and better all the time even though commercially, they were slipping.
Jason, thank you for posting both parts of this interview with Michael. Part II is especially thoughtful as he considered where he and the Monkees were in 1968. I always like to hear him discuss the background of "Wichita Train Whistle" too. Its such a wild project. This is a pretty honest interview which revealed Michael wrestling with a lot of the the "respectability" and artistic authenticity issues that became even more poignant as the group went on. His description of how each Monkee worked best doing his own thing was also underscored by their later producer Chip Douglas. It's always hurt that, although Michael was more highly regarded in the music industry than many of us realize, he didn't get to enjoy more popular acclaim for his work. He's always so bright and interesting discussing it.
Ha ha! That microphone on/off noise reminds me of my Dad's old tapes. I do not see who the interviewer is though. (??) Very cool to hear Mike at this time. He was always my favorite of the band.
Thanks Chris. This is a brand new channel, but I will be adding new content weekly. You can also check out my first upload, John Lennon The Lost Interview by typing that into the search. Cheers.
It's interesting that Mike never mentions that the band are currently working on making a movie. By April of 1968 filming had already started & it was no secret at that point that The Monkees were currently working on making a theatrical film. This leads me to believe that this interview (along with part 1) was either recorded much earlier than April or we aren't hearing the entire interview. In either case it's a good & insightful interview.
I can't pick! Same issue I have with any other troupe, fictional or real, musical or TV/movie. I'm always switching and it might depend on current mood. I always trip out that people have absolute favourites that never change. Glad to hear the "critics" called out of line and "What care you?" because that is the annoyance of all that broo ha, really just wastes time and inconsequential. More Witchita Train Whistle fun, finally heard about that at all this week. Purely egotistical, well, said!
@@sesamemaniac855 I know they put pressure on to be the band, and played more and more, but the big hits were not down to them. I doubt very much that their contributions to those two songs ( which I will have to take your word for) can even be heard in the mix, because they used top session guys and writers. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the Monkees, the comedy was never funny, in fact it was all terrible, and I knew it at the time, but I also saw it for what it was, a rip off of the Beatles personas from their movies, and yet, between the Beatles and the Monkees, my ambition to live a frivolous life, in a pop band was sealed.
@@avalond1193 Well, they were a yank Beatles, in their shows, or at least that was the concept, but unlike the Fab Four they didn't have the chops. I know later they played more, but they were plastic really. And about as funny as a hole in a parachute.
@@sophiafake-virus2456 while they had some hit music they made on their own like in headquarters I think they really needed kirshner because after the head album it was downhill the music felt all over the place and seem to lack focus. as much as I love the Monkees I think they did let their egos get out of control and soon realized it's not an easy to make hit albums and recordings
It was many yrs before people/the public/fans began to see the full picture as to what a truly innovative and brilliant mind Micheal had. Extremely intelligent, insightful, talented and funny as hell... Such a rare man.
Mike talking about being the only group who was actually anti-establishment was fantastic. I defended The Monkees for years talking about how they stood up to the powers-that-be when most bands just went along with it and cashed their checks and then fronted as being "anti-establishment."
Oh, they stood up to the powers that be, alright...
Except, they stood up to the very people who made them millionaires.
The Monkees had the finest producers and songwriters in America writing for them. They had the finest musicians (The Wrecking Crew) making their music.
The Monkees were maybe the luckiest people in the history of show business.
They were actors who got a taste of success and suddenly thought they were musicians. They were friggin' delusional.
They were spoiled brats who were laughed out of show business.
Anti-establishment???
You're as delusional as they were.
@@tomcarl8021 I've been argued down by far better Monkee haters than you, Tommy. Step up your game, man.
@@psychomoonrider8700 I'm not a Monkee hater. I like their hits as much as anyone. But what you said was preposterous.
@@tomcarl8021 They DID stand up and fight for control of their own recorded output. Don Kirshner ruled them with an iron fist and they told the producers of the show it was either him or them. And they fired Kirshner. Very few, if any, artists in the 60s stood up to the powers-that-be. Even The Beatles let Capitol Records cut up their albums until Sgt. Pepper.
What I said was absolutely true. You obviously don't know their history. Good day, sir.
@@psychomoonrider8700 They were hired unknown actors on a television show. An actor has no right to demand anything from a producer, a director, or a television network. Hollywood is littered with difficult actors who found their career's over as fast as it started, and that's exactly what happened to the Monkees.
I don't know their career's? Oh, yes I do..
1) Mike never sold one goddamn album as a solo artist. That's why he went into video production.
2) Peter quit show business entirely, and became a teacher.
3) Davy became a cabaret singer and worked cruise ships until his death.
1) I don't know what Mickey did but it certainly didn't involve show business because he was never heard from again.
Again, they were not a real band. They were not entitled, or had the same leverage in negotiations that a real band had or has. They signed a television contract as actors. They didn't have to do any of the things a real band has to do to make it.
Actually, it's you who doesn't know anything about them. Because it's clear you don't know the first thing about Hollywood or the music business. If you did, you would understand the actors role in a production, and you would be able to differentiate between an actors contract, and a musicians contract. They are not the same.
This is a fascinating timepiece so thanks for posting. Mike is talking at a point where they were just staring to experience their initial downward trend after such great success in '66 and especially '67 . As such, to get Mike's point of view at that particular time period is really fascinating. Funny thing is that I felt the Monkees were getting better and better all the time even though commercially, they were slipping.
I think Mike gained additional acceptance with First National Band's music. We 💘 you, Mike! This interview is excellent.
They should be proud ! They became a real band . They played in front of thousands of people and kicked butt !
Jason, thank you for posting both parts of this interview with Michael. Part II is especially thoughtful as he considered where he and the Monkees were in 1968. I always like to hear him discuss the background of "Wichita Train Whistle" too. Its such a wild project.
This is a pretty honest interview which revealed Michael wrestling with a lot of the the "respectability" and artistic authenticity issues that became even more poignant as the group went on. His description of how each Monkee worked best doing his own thing was also underscored by their later producer Chip Douglas. It's always hurt that, although Michael was more highly regarded in the music industry than many of us realize, he didn't get to enjoy more popular acclaim for his work. He's always so bright and interesting discussing it.
Michael nesmith ❣️ you rock
Interesting take on the music formation of the band. I heard their “Live 1967” Rhino release and it’s good, raw live ‘60s rock.
Ha ha! That microphone on/off noise reminds me of my Dad's old tapes. I do not see who the interviewer is though. (??) Very cool to hear Mike at this time. He was always my favorite of the band.
This is a great interview!
Thanks Chris. This is a brand new channel, but I will be adding new content weekly. You can also check out my first upload, John Lennon The Lost Interview by typing that into the search. Cheers.
Thank you for posting. Really enjoyed listening to this.
Michael Nesmith is the Godfather of Country Rock.
I agree... Circle Sky may be one of the first Country Rock songs.
@@wowwhywow
I was thinking more along the lines of Papa Gene's Blues. It was recorded 2 years earlier.
How about Joanne?
Don't forget Doug sahm
Mike Nesmith made the Monkees a real band .
Hooray for Texas.
What about Peter?
@@jenellsmith7206 exactly
Him too!
thanks for posting this I consider mike to be a great mind of the music industry.
i so wish the video of this still existed. there’s not enough interview media of them in video form
I always considered Mike my favorite just like George was my favorite Beatle
Same.
This is great stuff. Thank you!
Thank you very much was awesome
Glad you liked it!
It's interesting that Mike never mentions that the band are currently working on making a movie. By April of 1968 filming had already started & it was no secret at that point that The Monkees were currently working on making a theatrical film. This leads me to believe that this interview (along with part 1) was either recorded much earlier than April or we aren't hearing the entire interview. In either case it's a good & insightful interview.
Best interview of all the Monkeyes!
#savemikenesmith #savemichaelnesmith #freemikenesmith #freemichaelnesmith
I’ll wait
Wow never heard this speaking from his soul . And no b.s
I can't pick! Same issue I have with any other troupe, fictional or real, musical or TV/movie. I'm always switching and it might depend on current mood. I always trip out that people have absolute favourites that never change. Glad to hear the "critics" called out of line and "What care you?" because that is the annoyance of all that broo ha, really just wastes time and inconsequential. More Witchita Train Whistle fun, finally heard about that at all this week. Purely egotistical, well, said!
5:19 I heard somewhere mike could play bass, but I've never heard him actually play it. Im beginning to think that wasnt true lol
He doesn't do zany? That line - I don't want to do a vendetta could easily have come from M. Dolemz. Imagine being hunted down by Mike Nesmith...
Mike doing the masonic one eye symbolism
Its an injustice the monkees are not in the rock & roll hall of fame
Hired to do a TV show. Then it went to their heads… thought they were a REAL band. Um. Hired to do a TV show.,, A TV show
They were young and had ambition and dreams and with youth comes rebellion
They learned to play as they grew older and they were a Band!
They never played on their hit records
Mike and Peter are on "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and "Daydream Believer".. Mike on lead guitar and Peter on piano on both of them
@@sesamemaniac855 I know they put pressure on to be the band, and played more and more, but the big hits were not down to them. I doubt very much that their contributions to those two songs ( which I will have to take your word for) can even be heard in the mix, because they used top session guys and writers.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the Monkees, the comedy was never funny, in fact it was all terrible, and I knew it at the time, but I also saw it for what it was, a rip off of the Beatles personas from their movies, and yet, between the Beatles and the Monkees, my ambition to live a frivolous life, in a pop band was sealed.
You just described over 95%of music stars today that only sing their songs but didn't write or compose anything .. I don't see what the big deal is
@@avalond1193 Well, they were a yank Beatles, in their shows, or at least that was the concept, but unlike the Fab Four they didn't have the chops. I know later they played more, but they were plastic really. And about as funny as a hole in a parachute.
@@sophiafake-virus2456 while they had some hit music they made on their own like in headquarters I think they really needed kirshner because after the head album it was downhill the music felt all over the place and seem to lack focus. as much as I love the Monkees I think they did let their egos get out of control and soon realized it's not an easy to make hit albums and recordings