Thursday, March 24, 2011

Pleasant Valley: Four Friends called Monkees

Remember the Monkees?

I was listening to the radio--or rather hearing the radio until I was struck by the airwaves carrying their song, "Pleasant Valley Sunday."  It is a bit of Byrds, The Who, a little evolved Beach Boys and a healthy dose of Buffalo Springfield.

It is a good production.  A lot of people don't realize the talent that lurked behind the tepid television persona and studio gloss.  Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Tork, and Michael Nesmith.  They were all talented.  They all had stronger personalities than a television show or a canned musical group could contain.  (Maybe they didn't play all the instruments in the studio, which is not uncommon unless you are Prince, but they were all quite skilled and trained musicians.)

A lot of people also do not realize that some very talented and impactful artists tried out and did not make the cut to be a part of this manufactured group, including the Buffalo Springfield's Stephen Stills and the Hollies' Graham Nash.  Thankfully, they both found better things to do.

Before the Monkees, Davy Jones was more disposed to belting out show tunes.  Stephen Stills and Peter Tork were referred to as the "kids who looked alike" during their California days and got to be friends. There are a lot more stories, most not to be found in the reruns. 

TOMORROW.  LOOK FOR THE DISCUSSION ON FRIENDSHIP.

Hope to see you then.

5 comments:

Clarence said...

Okay, maybe the four were not such great friends all the time, but they got along well enough to be tight in the studio.

Dangerous Linda said...

Pleasant Valley Sunday is a great song. Another Monkey's fave is I'm a Believer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfuBREMXxts

I will not admit this outside this blog -- haha!

Clarence said...

I have to say that of many of the tracks cut by the Monkees, the ones that did not become popular seem to have musical qualities that are strongest but also show the talent of their musical ear and literacy. Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rDGW6ioBzs&feature=related and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_cldLoUArI&playnext=1&list=PL4B311C5374FAE35C.

Anonymous said...

The only fan club I ever joined....
-Monkey Girrl

Clarence said...

Oh, and maybe a little Simon and Garfunkel....