Just checking in. As previously mentioned, I am a Monkees’ fan. Peter (1), (2), and (3) is my favorite Monkee, musician and all around great guy. Without (I hope) sounding immodest, I can answer most questions you might have about the Monkees and separate fact from myth in a lot of cases. I can talk on them for hours (as you’ll find if you indulge me)…
33-1/3 has been available from Rhino since about 1996 and can often be found in stores (depending on where you live) like Suncoast video/Sam Goody, Record Town, Tower Records, etc.
Head was a strange experiment and is an interesting watch. The first time I saw it, I was 16 and it unnerved me a bit. With maturity and subsequent viewings I’ve learned to appreciate some of what’s behind it. I had the privilege of seeing it on the big screen at a film festival in Cleveland and really enjoyed seeing it in that format. I recommend it with the caveat that it ain’t nothing like an episode.
The Monkees television series is also available on video either in individual episodes (less than half sold individually) or as a boxset from Rhino that can be ordered several places on line–usually its tagged around $299-399, on rare occasion (usually when I’m broke) I’ve seen it a smidge less.
Stephen Stills was a friend of Peter’s from Greenwich Village. Peter was playing folk music there and washing dishes. He considered moving to the west coast for work and Stills told him about the casting of the show. [The producers told Stills, they liked him but his teeth were too bad for the show’s image and asked if he knew anyone who looked like him.] Mike was the only one to audition for the show based on the ad placed in Variety; everyone else was put onto it by someone they knew (Davy was already under contract).
The Monkees (or Threekees as many fans call them absent Mike, who just simply doesn’t like touring) are planning a tour for early spring 2001–35 year anniversary of the show, and Peter had to postpone a tour with his own band, Shoe Suede Blues as a result.
In the meantime, Peter will be doing some shoes with long time friend (since his village days) and musicial collaborator James Lee Stanley.
FUN FACTOIDS
Micky loves the ladies (I’ve seen him in flirtatious action), directs/produces, paints exceptional images of microscopic and cosmic elements – from his love and voracious study of science. Micky’s daughters, except Amy who looks like Samantha (his first wife), favor their father.
Davy still has a passion for horses and lives in PA. He’s been married 4 times and two of those were to the same woman. His daughters are gorgeous and one has done a little acting. He’s a pretty nice and surprisingly funny guy and is “on” for fans the most.
Peter also did a couple episodes of Boy Meets World and may have actually been the first, if I recall. He played Cory’s girlfriend, Topanga’s dad, a folky vegetarian guitar craftsman. After the Monkees Peter went through a rough time because he gave away a lot of what he earned and ended up broke. He taught music in some private schools and was once (early 70’s) busted and did some time in a small town for possession of about $3 worth of hashish.
Peter has suffered divorces as well and has two children, a boy and girl–both of whom have played out with him on occasion. He’s talked of setting a “family” concert with he, his son and his brother, Nick. Nick has written a few songs and is also a sweetheart (there’s a family resemblance but Peter is cuter IMHO).
Mike doesn’t like touring. He once attended a Threekees show in disguise taking Winnona Ryder, who was a fan, and expressed that he never got to experience what the fans did that made them go so crazy. Mike was always about music and was the first to become discontent not playing.
On a personal note…I’ve been a fan since 1986 and can’t count the number of concerts I’ve had the privilege of attending. I love the Monkees shows, but truly appreciate getting to see Peter genuinely enjoy himself playing his solo stuff. You can find several of my favorite Peter related experiences linked from the “Other Pages” section of my personal website.
