International Monkees Day!!

Welcome, yet again, to the best Monkee day of the year!

Even Rhino is celebrating!

Both Davy and Mike were born on this day, and the BEST way to celebrate is by listening to Monkee records/8 Tracks/cassettes/iTunes/mp3s-whatever you've got.

You can take a trip into the past as you are preparing for the New Year.  Clean out the old thoughts, closets, Xmas party favors, whatever.  Spend some time with your past as you prepare for your future!

Baby Pictures!!

Peter, of course!

Davy!!

Micky!!

Papa Nez!!

"Big Man" quote

Vic Mature was in a movie called Kiss of Death. 

His character is a jailbird, trying to go straight. He meets Richard Widmark when they are handcuffed together on the train to Sing Sing.

At the end of the movie, they reunite. His friend keeps making fun of him.

"The Big Man"

Like Rosemarie, The Big Woman!

Don't forget that it was Vic Mature who gets the vacuum to the HEAD and the Monkees get sucked up like so much dandruff.

It's a great old Hollywood movie that shows who VM was when he was just a little older than the Monkees.

Movies which Inspired Episodes #2 and #46

Here's a two-fer.

I was watching TCM, always a great source of offbeat Hollywood.

Monkee See, Monkee Die, #2, written by Treva Silverman
One movie, based off of Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians, "And Then There Were None"(1945), is the (semi)classic tale of 10 people being invited to a desert island, by an unknown host.  They are all to be killed, according to a nursery rhyme, and to give full credit to the villain, all are thought to have gotten away with murder in the first place.  Note the mansion on an island setting, mysterious overnighting in a haunted mansion, a record of the departed indicating his will.  And lots of other spookiness besides.
More Monkee-specific trivia can be found at the Tripod site, which did a lot to contribute to the Trivia Screens on the box set DVD release.

Monkees on the Wheel, #46, written by Coslough Johnson
The other, in which Warren Beatty plays a playboy named Barney Lincoln (??), "Kaleidoscope" (1966).  It's not a remarkable film, except for the elements of the zeitgeist it uses. The cute & riveting Susannah York adds to the influence of pretty girls in sparkly outfits and boas, (as well as mod outfits). Clever dialogue (not enough for me), mod clothes, and the suspense of gambling are the lynchpins.  Also some random plot about cheating at cards and getting caught, tables turning, etc.  Also note the corny (almost Batman-like) scene segues, and "60's-Oriental" sound cues. There is a gunshot which richochets off a large globe, making it spin.  It's not a direct influence, and may also be playing off the idea of the fantasy playboy/gambler life which explores all the fun someone can have if you just have the right method (see Peter's sliderule explanation).
The Tripod entry can be found here.
"Will the REAL---- please stand up?" is a phrase taken from "What's My Line?", the format of which would be staged in a Monkees episode and was used in this movie.  Everything was available to be stolen! ;)

Obituary for Edward Hoh, Drummer

Fast Eddie Hoh was a larger than life character and was known for doing the best, most intricate riffs on songs like "PVS", "Star Collector" and "Goin Down".  He was keeping time with and for a lot of great groups.

Melanie Mitchell includes a memory from Peter (taken from a comment on FB): I always think of Peter's comment on The Devil and Peter Tork, when there's a particularly intricate fill (I think that's the term) near the end of Salesman. "You know Micky did not play that drum lick," he said. "Almost certainly Fast Eddie Hoh." Which it was.

(Below taken from his online obit and reprinted here in case it gets taken down.)

Life Legacy

Edward “Fast Eddie” Hoh, age 71, passed away Saturday, November 07, 2015 in Westmont, IL. An American rock drummer who was active in the 1960s. He played the drums on several well-known rock songs and albums, including those by Donovan and the Monkees. He also performed at the seminal 1967 Monterey Pop Festival as a member of the Mamas and the Papas touring band. In 1968, he participated in the recording of Super Session, the highly successful 1968 Mike Bloomfield/Al Kooper/Stephen Stills collaboration album. Hoh first became known around 1964 on the Los Angeles club circuit as a drummer for the Joel Scott Hill groups the Strangers and the Invaders. Hill recorded several singles and the Strangers were an opening act for the 1964 T.A.M.I. Show, headlined by the Rolling Stones and James Brown. His flurry of activity came to an end by the early 1970s and has since remained out of the public eye. Services and Interment will be private. Info Knollcrest Funeral Home, 630-932-1500

http://www.knollcrestfuneralhome.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1695972

Newly Discovered Footage!!

From Andrew Sandoval, the official archaeologist of The Monkees!

He mentions that the restoration will include a $300k investment, the largest in the show since 1968.

Exactly how much have those tours been pulling in? And why does the above amount seem so small in comparison?

http://www.contactmusic.com/the-monkees/news/unseen-monkees-movie-footage-found_4998682

SSB Fan Party at Club 66 and Sellersville, PA

See the Facebook page for pictures and a few videos taken of the performance at the Fan party.

A few of us were afraid it might be the LAST time this group gets together.  Everyone seemed to be complaining (more) about how long a drive it was, how hard to coordinate.  Even the fans seem to think they are "getting too old for this". Actual quote.  The last time SSB played was last year, for a Thanksgiving gig.  (And the Sellersville gig was a bit rusty, but the next two were AMAZING). They sound better when they've rehearsed in front of an audience.

Next year is the 50th anniversary of the BAND. Maybe everyone will have to save their energy for that...

Concerts of the Twokees

Jodi has been creating a whole new sisterhood and I don't envy her for a minute.

Some people are born mean girls.

Others couldn't care less. You have to choose sides somehow.

And then there is, do I go to see this version or wait and hope for a reunion tour next year (50th!). How much to spend on this?

Just think, there will be generations who will watch the show and never even live at the same time!

All the surprise of DJ dying, but everyone has to at some point....

Monkee Fan Gathering, June 4th, 2016 in NJ

Hey Hey, Everyone!!

Jodi Lyn is at it again!!

She wants us all to gather together-with a year's notice-(thank you!!) to celebrate the 50th anniversary for 2016.  It's a low-cost, low commitment, HIGH FUN gathering.  It's a great deal, especially if you are on the East Coast with a car.

The Boys are not expected to be there-but sometimes it's less crazy that way (don't throw tomatoes at me!)

Biggest MonkeeWalk Ever-haven't you ever wanted to be part of one that includes all your Monkeefan friends?? I have!

Also, a screening of HEAD.

Awesome.

To quote from the post of the website below-part of the MonkeesConvention2014 website:

Monkee Jam June 4, 2016 PRE SALE

$26.50 $36.50

Calling ALL Monkees fans. Join us for an all day Monkee Jam Saturday June 4, 2016 from 10am to 10pm.

Music, trivia, games, food, vendors and fun.

6pm Help make HISTORY for the Monkees 50th anniversary by joining us for the BIGGEST MONKEES WALK EVER MADE!!

8pm Screening of HEAD under the stars!

This will be held on a farm (outside) picnic style. Bring blankets, chairs, umbrellas....

The city is ATCO NJ with more to come on hotel information for those who need it.

More announcements in the coming weeks.  ONE DAY ONLY!

This is the presale price of $26.50 dollars.  Tickets will go up to $36.50 starting July 4th.

Tickets will not be mailed, names will be on a list when you arrive.

We DO NOT promise the Monkees are involved in the event so do not base your involvement on this.  Come to celebrate fun with great friends. 

Here's what the full link looks like!

http://www.monkeesconvention2014.com/apps/webstore/products/show/6018772

Bobby Hart & Psychedelic Bubble Gum

I was lucky enough to catch a mention about Bobby Hart doing a presentation at Steinway in MidTown NYC, on a day when I'd actually be in town.

I figured it would be an author appearance with music.  As I entered through the main door, I was surprised to find Bobby Hart & his co-writer, Glenn Ballantyne, jumping up to greet me.  I never expected the writer of some of the best songs of the 20th century to be such a kind & warm soul!

Going upstairs to the performance space, I was delighted to find such an intimate room.

I felt like I had a front row ticket to see Martha Argerich or Vladimir Horowitz play piano!! 

Pretty soon, he was talking & playing & even got Glenn & his wife, Mary Ann, up to sing, "Hurts So Bad". Of course, it's familiar from Little Anthony & the Imperials, but it sounded like one of those songs that is imbedded in your mind. Something in the very air around you since you were a child.  Hearing it played by the guy who first heard it was incredible.

Of course, lots of questions about the Monkees (he thought Don Kirschner was a good guy!!) and lots of Monkee memorabilia abounded.

(Not my collection, unfortunately, brought by one of The Brothers)

The day made this MonkeeGirl very happy!!

Davy Jones' Locker and other Auction Items

Here is another chapter in the ongoing story of Davy's Memorabilia.  The Jones daughters held an auction, sharing all sorts of things with the public.  (Imagine cleaning out your parent's house-something that we all will have to go through, if we haven't already!)

So much stuff to love.  But where to keep it all in your modern life?

When it was first announced, it was a hot debate.  Why wouldn't The Girls want to keep it all? Why are they making money off of his name?

The answer lies in the legacy.  Share it all with others.

News is that all the items quickly went up in price and very few things were in the "affordable" range.

Much love to the family who gave, and still give, so much to all the fans.

http://www.monkees.net/davy-jones-juliens-auction-interview-with-talia-jones/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheMonkeesHomePageNewsFeed+%28Monkees.Net+-+News+Feed%29&utm_content=FaceBook

Fan Buys Beavertown Memorial!!

Cathy Whitehead actually bought Davy's church!!!

Her husband died around the same time that Davy did and she needs a new place, to live and to also work on.  She has a marvelous spirit and seems so excited about it!

If you find yourself in Pennsylvania any time soon, swing by and help her clean the church up & build the Monkee Museum!!!

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/04/davy_jones_idol_buys_former_be.html

Peter & Micky In Palm Springs!

They are performing as we speak; well, as I write. Beginning a new tour! 

Rumor has it that Micky was at a performance of Fish in The Dark this week! Broadway boy that he is! ;)

Davy Jones Forever

It took us all by surprise.

"Leave it to Davy to die on a day that only comes around once every 4 years! He only wanted people to be happy!"

I heard this from the stage at Beavertown a few days into March, 2012, after Davy's untimely passing. Later that day, there was a march from the stage in the center of town to the church that he had purchased for a Monkee museum. We left mementos on the steps.