The Monkees

350 people cant be wrong

Putting in this cynically created corporate band would be an utterly appropriate choice for the Hall of Farce. They could go in jointly with the Spice Girls. As far as I'm concerned, induction into the R'n'R HOF is about as much of an honor as being named Employee of the Week at Burger King.

Of course the Monkees deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They sang on every one of their albums which is all that many other inductees did. Furthermore, they eventually did play their own instruments live and on their albums, which is more than many inductees did.

Even if they were only vocalists - I always look at it from the perspective that a lot of R&R HoF inductees did not write their own songs or play instruments very well (Elvis Presley for example).

A totally manufactured TV band that, ironically, turned out to be the real deal. They had to fight with their producers tooth & nail to do their own stuff and play their own instruments (which they did after the first album). They had two things going for them; Micky Dolenz's distinctive vocals and Mike Nesmith, the true musical genius of the band. Nesmith was a gifted songwriter (here are a few of Mike Nesmith's songs covered by Paul Butterfield, Linda Ronstadt, and the Dirt Band) Nesmith was also a pioneer in music video (no surprise, since that was basically what the Monkees were doing back in the 60s); Nesmith won the very first Grammy for Best Video for his "Elephant Parts." Although savaged by the press, they were actually a very good (and influential) band, and fellow musicians such as the Beatles always treated them with respect (knowing how full of shit the media too often was).

Oh come on - why are they even listed here? Weren't they a "fake" band put together for TV? Did they even write any of their own songs?

Tork rules! ;-)

Oh,yeah.Right up there with The Partridge Family.

The Monkees were what they were...a marketing ploy to attract pre/young teens and sell crap. They didn't fool anyone (including their target market) or pretend to be anything but. Now whether they later regretted the career decision and attempted for a time to convince the world to take them more seriously - yeah sure they did. But so what – name another group or person who received this kind of attention that didn’t let his ego expand beyond reason and recognition at some point along the way. Regardless of their origination they were still an undeniable success. And quite frankly I've seen plenty of "legitimate" bands that had much less talent, success and appeal by far. But, as in any case involving personal taste, intrinsic value is in the eye of the beholder. I’m admittedly biased since I was the right age at the right time to enjoy their TV antics and music and I still sing along today when I'm a Believer or Last Train to Clarksville pop up on an oldies station. Even so, I... Read more

day dream

If we let this group in, might as well go ahead and induct "Weird Al" Yankovic too...

I'm a believer...

When I was a little kid I couldn't tell the difference between the Monkees and the Beatles. Come to think of it, I still don't see a whole lot of differences....

better than ezra, for instance

I'd just like to say that I'm most impressed that I read a whole page of reviews and didn't find a single entry that started out with "I'm a believer.....

I am somewhat reluctant in saying that the Monkees should be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame because to some extent the band was manufactured by the likes of Don Kirshner (the Archies) and Snuff Garrett (Sonny & Cher). Be that as it may, the commercial success of their first two albums cannot be discounted. I also give the band, particularly Mike Nesmith, credit for insisting they be allowed to record some of their own compositions. Their later work, while not as commercially successful, was better for it.

under valued

pre-Fabbed four

Many may not think of them as serious HALL contenders. As welcome as anyone, imo

You know what, they did write somg of their hits and unlike many manufactured acts today, could really sing their hearts out. Plus talk about influence, for better or worse, this group changed the music industry forever by being the first manufactured act ever. Still their songs have stood the test of time unlike most manufactured pop acts and they should be recognized for that!

I notice many "rock" magazines are rather fond of publishing photos of Madonna with a Les Paul, as if she's as good as Jimmy Page or Peter Frampton. I do not recall her having much musical talent with a guitar, let alone playing on any of her albums. Yet, I know that Nesmith and Tork are both skilled guitarists and Dolenz and Jones can sing well (Dolenz was a guitarist before he became a drummer). And I admit Dolenz's tympani work on "Randy Scouse Git" is perhaps the showcase of his percussion talent. So what's my point? The Temptations never played any instruments either, much as I love them. Come on, Hall of Fame, I see no reason these guys don't deserve the honor. "If you love music, you can play music"- Mike Nesmith

Puhleeeeeeaaaase.Spare me.

The Monkees songs have stood the test of time. They, themselves, blew the whistle on their lack of control over the first two albums and went on to have numerous hits outside of those Don Kirshner-produced albums. Sure, they could have simply gone along with the rouse and sang songs selected for them like Sugar Sugar and Candida. But in true rock and roll fashion, they began to play and produce their own music, staged multiple live tours, and even declined a potential third season of their TV show in lieu of a movie that blew up their manufactured image. Sure, their creation was not up to hall standards but nobody seems to give any merit to their self-made transformation thereafter into a functional and real band. They showed courage, bucked the system, and had more to overcome than anyone seems to give them credit for. They reflect the rock and roll industry for that particular era better than just about any other band.

The creation of the Monkees reeked, but the music and the entertainment value  were there and grew in time. Mike was a country-rock pioneer and started the rock video business. Peter actually could play! These guys were very important in making rock music mainstream.

The Monkees should have been inducted years ago. The voices of Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones have been behind the songs that have been played, and are still playing, on the radio. If not The Monkees, then they should induct Michael Nesmith. Nesmith has written many hits. He created MTV and is considered to be the Father of Country Rock. Take a listen to: For Pete's Sake The Girl I Knew Somewhere Circle Sky Steppin' Stone I'm A Believer Last Train to Clarksvile Mary, Mary Salesman What Am I Doing Hanging 'Round? The Door Into Summer and any greatest hit collection of The Monkees

Time has eased my opinion of The Monkees.  Yes, the program was an attempt to capture on the small screen some of the energy and frenzy associated with the Beatles' films.  Guys in suits saw dollar signs.  To their credit, The Monkees tried to break away from their fabricated origin and become a real band.  The comparison to Milli Vanilli is not fair because they did sing on all of their songs.  And later, they did start to play their own instruments.  I think "Pleasant Valley Sunday" was the first hit on which they did so.  Their version of "Daydream Believer was at least as good as Anne Murray's.

Far better than anyone gives them credit. They were everything that rock and roll was ever about - teeny-boppers, totally danceable songs, thumbing their noses even at the people who put them where they were. Having been put together by committee, they made some remarkably good rock and roll music.

Good show when I was a kid . . .but the hall?!?

great stuff

Without a doubt The Monkees should be in the Hall. Considering how there music has endured, There post Monkees careers, and just the fact that they succeded in getting Kirchner fired so they could do there own music should be worth a look. They fought the law and the law lost.

The Monkees are more than just four cheesy guys who didn't write their own songs. The fact is MORONS, that they did write their own songs and play their own instruments, once they attained creative control and were able to do so. Not every song on the album would be written by them but then there are other bands who do the same and they are not criticized. On the first two Monkees records The Monkees were not allowed to play their own instruments. Other bands such as the Mamas and the Papas and even The Beach Boys would sometimes have studio musicians come in to play for them. That does not mean that they did not know how to. Peter was and is a multi-insturmentalist, Mike Nesmith played/plays guitar, Davy shook those maracas like the day was outta-sight, and Micky learned how to play the drums(during The Monkees) and he also knew how to play guitar before he ever starred in The Monkees! The four of them also sang on their albums! They were dedicated men and their legend, their legacy d... Read more

not sure

One of the few staged groups that became a real band . . . Micky actually took drum lessons. Tork is an excellent musician. Nesmith did some impressive work with Red Rhodes. They deserve a place in the HOF merely by going from a make believe band to the real thing!

The pre-fab four's work has aged gracefully.

Er....Neil Diamond wrote their bit hit. These guys were fabricated. The original boy band.

You're kidding me, right? This is like inviting Dan Quayle to be a part of MENSA.

The first fabricated boy band but clearly better than the garbage boy band sof today. They even wrote a few of their own songs and Mike Nesmith was a heavy dude. But no they dont belong.

Scored some nice hits, but The Hall.... no, sorry.

Right along with milli vanilli.

One of my XMAS presents was a Monkees anthology CD. Though I never told her I had any affinity for this group, I got the CD anyway. I played the 2 CDs during a road trip and I could not believe how truly cheesy and blando these songs are. I fell asleep at the wheel at least thrice while suffering through this. In the context of the campy and amusing TV show (which I admit I used to love), the songs worked. But as standalone pieces of art 35+ years later, no way do they stand the test of time. The Monkees will be in the Rock Hall of Fame 'bout the same time Ryan Leaf gets inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ewwe! You like the monkees. You know they don't write their own songs. You know they dont play their own instruments. That's not even Michael Nesmeth's real hat!

Peter Tork, Davey Jones, Mike Nesmith, and Mickey Dolenz. Our spoof of the Beatles. They were cheesy when cheesy was cool. No wonder Mike Nesmith refused to tour with them until recently. Only one of them could play an instrument at the time of the shows height. I can't believe they still tour. Neil Diamond actually let them sing one of his songs.

Great songs and were hugh in the 60's Tapioca Tundra alone should be in RRHOF

i tend to look beyond the manufactured image and enjoy the Monkees for their pure pop and for Michael Nesmith's proto attempts at alt-country. but the only way Micky, Davy, Peter, and Mike are getting into the R&R; HOF is if they buy a ticket.