“Hey MrZerr0 Why The Monkees?”
Dr. Rox Remember When? Article #151 September 2023
By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0
So many years ago when I lived on the Southside of Des Moines, I auditioned for a “Local Cover Band” I do not recall the name they used then, but they eventually became ‘Seven Hells’ incidentally I did sit in with them a few times in 2009. As we were going over the setlist, of what I consider the usual; KISS, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Motley Crue, Judas Priest etc. their singer Chris W. asked me “Am I to understand you like The Monkees?” I replied “Why, yes, that’s true” he asked “I just don’t understand how this can be true, you are into hard rock like the bands we just rehearsed and you are into kids music like that?”
I responded “You see Chis, I am a little older than you and I started listening to music at about 11 months old, I’d guess, when my Aunt Debby would play 45 Singles on her record player for me to dance to, she played the bands she liked Dave Clark 5 and The Beatles. My father Dick told me and my Mom Carol wrote it down in my baby book, that my favorite TV shows as a toddler were ‘Batman’ ‘Lost In Space’ and ‘The Monkees’ back in the olden days “Prime TV” started at 6pm EST. I didn’t know any different pertaining to TV Stations and times, but Batman was on at 6 O’Clock Wednesdays and Thursdays on ABC (Channel 9), Lost In Space was on CBS (Channel 14), Fridays and The Monkees were on NBC (Channel 4), Mondays, so as a toddler I would sit in front of the TV waiting to see these shows and listen to the music, coincidentally another favorite band of mine Paul Revere And The Raiders appeared on Batman in Nov 1966. So you see Chris it’s quite simple. I was listening to music in the mid 60s, Before the bands you liked even existed, what was I supposed to do, sit and wait and hope one day there would be a band like Black Sabbath, so I had something to listen to?”
I do vividly remember sometime in 1969 my favorite song was “Last Train To Clarksville” my Uncle John was a Monkees fan back then he had the 1st album and “Headquarters” and a few 45 singles for sure, he even had the Monkees talking hand puppet, and in ’69 when Peter Tork left the group, John pulled Peter’s head off the hand puppet. Also in ’69 I remember watching “Scooby-Doo” when it 1st aired September 1969 on CBS, incidentally I am currently watching these very episodes with my son Oblieon, David Jones appeared on Scooby-Doo in Dec 1972. I remember seeing Kool-Aid and Nerf commercials with the Monkees Trio David, Micky and Michael, as CBS started to air The Monkees in re-runs from Sept 1969 to Sept 1972.
It was about this time my mom’s best friend Toni C. would come over with her 2 children Spencer and Chris, and they would ask to watch The Monkees TV show, as they were into comedy shows, however by this time I had discovered “Star Trek” and “Planet Of The Apes” so Sci-fi was my bag you dig. As they were our guests we watched The Monkees, now I have to say at this time, watching the show I found it to be kinda silly, how I was still drawn to the music.I vividly remember seeing the songs “Words” “Love Is Only Sleeping” “Randy Scouse Git” and Tim Buckley performing “Song To The Siren” I loved This Music, and I have to say this show planted the seeds for the idea of me wanting to be in a band, I liked the idea of having 4 best friends (Spencer, Chris, Eric W. and I) playing in a band wearing matching raspberry shirts playing in small clubs to people dancing or sitting listening to us perform. I thought to myself “yea, this is what I want to do, this is definitely the life for me”.
I suppose it was also fueled by the fact may Dad Bill played drums in Merle Pithan’s band “The Boyz (from Sioux City)” and my Uncle Jeff (who knew Tommy Bolin) played guitar and gave me my 1st guitar, and the same Uncle John (mentioned) played drums in the band “Freedom Of Wild Water II”
At 1st I wanted to be the singer- drummer like Micky Dolenz, (I thought he had the coolest haircut) but as my dad tried to teach me drums, we learned, sadly I did not have what it took, and my friend Chris C. DID already played drums, I decided I wanted to be the Mike Nesmith (guitarist- singer) in the band, as Uncle Jeff had already given me a guitar. Well it took many moves and many years later until I met Mike Langley who got me onto my guitar playing journey with his group “The Magic Acid Band”. Earlier this year I got the guitar I always dreamed of from way back then, a Red Sunburst Hollow Body (Thanks to the guys at Music Go Round Burnsville). In 1986 The Monkees got back together for a reunion tour that lasted for the next 3 years. Since then I have seen The Monkees in one form or another over 50 times in over 8 different states. As the following: David, Micky & Peter, Peter Solo, David Solo, Micky Solo, Michael Solo, Boyce & Hart, Micky & David, Michael, Micky & Peter, Michael & Micky. In fact I have met some of my very best life long friends because of The Monkees either collecting or at concerts.
Some of my Monkees related accomplishments. I was able to interview Michael Martin Murphey for Gary Strobl’s book on The Monkees; pertaining to Murphey’s involvement with The Monkees writing the songs “What Am I Doing Hanging Round” “Oklahoma Backroom Dancer” “Texas Morning” and “I, Prithee (do not ask for love)” and his band “Lewis And Clark Expedition” who was signed to the same record label, thanks to Nesmith.I worked on a job for David Jones in 1994 researching his performing, writing and producing credits. In Sept 2005 David Jones played my Catholic Church (St.John Neumann) function and earlier that day Jones I filmed a segment for VH1, unfortunately my part did not get used. In 2020 my name is in the credits on the CD/Vinyl “Micky Dolenz: Live In Japan (1982)” as I was the only one who interviewed and documented his trip to Japan in 1982.
When I decided to open Mr. Zer0’s Record Store in 2009, I decided to use a name I saw in Monkees’ Episode #52 “Devil And Peter Tork” Mr. Zero ran the pawn shop where Tork accidently sold his soul to the devil ‘Mr. Zero’ Mr. Zer0’s will be celebrating their 15th Xmass in the very same location. In 2012 when I was asked to make my 1st KFAI appearance, they asked me if I had a name for my show. I decided to use “PsychoGello” from Monkees Episode #58 “Frodis Caper” where Nesmith is making fun of the hippy psychedelic movement calling it “PsychoGello” I made 7 appearances on KFAI as “PsychoGello” and in June 2017 I moved this show to WDGY and is still on today, about to air my 7th Xmass show. So what are some of my favorite Monkees’ songs you might ask, well it goes like this:”Sweet Young Thing” (Nesmith) from their 1st album in Oct 1966. I played this song over and over so much my Aunt Cat had to say “There are other songs on the album”
“Look Out (hct)” (Diamond -Jones) from “More Of” released in Jan 1967, I just love those early songs of Neil Diamond this one “I’m A Believer” “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You” “Love To Love” “Black And Blue”
“You Told Me” (Nesmith) from “Headquarters” released in Mar 1967. another fine tune form Nesmith with a bit of country added to it with Tork’s banjo.
“Words” (Boyce And Hart -Dolenz -Tork) from “Pisces” released in Nov 1967. This is my favorite song of all time. I was able to interview Tommy Boyce about this song in June 1986. Later in 1990 I became an acquaintance of Bobby Hart.
“Zor And Zam” (Chadwick -Dolenz) from “Birds And Bees” released in April 1968. What a haunting masterpiece. This blew me away when I first heard it as a teenager. Later, alos in 1990 I befriended this song’s writer Bill Chadwick.
“Long Title (dihtdtaoa)” (Tork) from the soundtrack to “Head” released in Nov 1968. Well this song just plain rocks and rings so true for me. Buffalo Springfield is the backing musicians on this one.
“You And I” (Chadwick -Jones) from “Instant Replay” released in Feb 1969. Another rocking tune that once again rings so true. This one is again written by Chadwick, with Lead Guitar from Neil Young of Buffalo Springfield.
“Looking For The Good Times” (Boyce And Hart -Jones) released in Oct 1969 from “Present”. another rocker.
“Tell Me Love” (Barry -Dolenz) from the final LP “Changes” released in June 1970 a great ballad.
“Cripple Creek” From “Live 1967” finally a Tork song with banjo.
“Time And Time Again” (Chadwick -Jones) From Missing Links Vol. 1″ slated for “Changes” another Chadwick song and a great ballad.
“I Prithee” (Murphey -Dolenz) From “Missing Links Vol. 2” slated for the 1st LP. later recorded with Jones in ’67 and later again with Tork in ’68. A great psychedelic tune.
“You’re So Good” (Stone -Dolenz) From “Missing Links Vol. 3” slated for “Present” a greta R&B tune as that’s what the Trio were into at the time. Sam And The Good Timers are the backing musicians on this track.
“Something To Show For It All” (Chadwick -Jones) still unreleased as of yet. Slated for “Changes” but used in the syndicated TV Show “An Evening With…” from April 1970. I got this unreleased recording from the songwriter and producer himself Bill Chadwick in 1992. A lovely ballad. I would like my son to play this at my wake.
I have a son and when he was born I got him a drumset. A Ludwig that I am re-wrapping in Pink Sparkle, Dolenz had a Champagne Sparkle Kit. When I was asked why I wanted to have a kit of that color, I responded it is my dream to be in a Monkees Tribute Band” the person responded what did they have 1 hit?” Ummm, no here is a list of their Top 40 Hits:
11 Top 40 Hits:
-1966-
“Last Train To Clarksville” (Boyce And Hart)
“I’m A Believer” (Diamond)
“(iny) Steppinstone” (Boyce And Hart)
-1967-
“A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You” (Diamond)
“Girl I Knew Somewhere” (Nesmith)
“Pleasant Valley Sunday” (Goffin And King)
“Words” (Boyce And Hart)
“Daydream Believer”
(Stewart)
-1968-“Valleri” (Boyce And Hart)
“Tapioca Tundra” (Nesmith)
“D.W. Washburn” (Leiber And Stoller)
And so this is why The Monkees, like I tell my son “Everybody’s different” Check back next month. Until then … MrZerr0
Tune into my Radio WDGY “PsychoGello Show” 7am Sundays and 8am. On AM740, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1. To hear the last 90 Episodes go to www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. To hear my “Evolation” (32) and “Hits And History” (17) Shows go to www.MixCloud.Com.
Mr. Zer0’s *Est. 20091744 Lexington Ave. N.Roseville, MN. 55113www.MrZeroS.Com“Where Nerd Is The Word” Classic Music,Retro Toys,Vintage Video Games,And Movies too.And That’s IT!
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