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It's not that the Monkees 'couldn't play' - that show biz act was selected for visual appeal while management had the Wrecking Crew studio a list create the pop
by olivermarks 5y ago
It's not that the Monkees 'couldn't play' - that show biz act was selected for visual appeal while management had the Wrecking Crew studio a list create the pop songs. It was brilliantly successful business.
The Beatles were arguably an earlier incarnation of this - a v rough and ready covers band propelled to 'stardom' by Epstein and heavily produced, notably by George Martin. Just like Jimmy Miller's shaping of the Rolling Stones in their glory years it's the people behind the curtain who transition these acts into the big league.
(The Jones Stones were a very good UK R&B covers band in their early years just as the Beatles were originally a rock and roll covers band)
- WalterBright 5y agoAll bands need help in one form or another. The Beatles understood this, and would get help as needed (even Eric Clapton contributed). Michael Jackson got Quincy Jones to produce his breakout albums. The Monkees believed they didn't need help, and could do it all on their own. "Headquarters" was the result. It's a very weak album. In my not-so-humble opinion, the Monkees were given the greatest opportunity dropped in their lap, and completely muffed it. They just weren't smart enough to compete with The Beatles.
- olivermarks 5y agoThe thing is the Beatles actually wrote their material - the Monkees sang tin pan alley tunes written by Carole King et al and played by the wrecking crew. They never had management or support to do anything creative themselves except mug for the cameras. Show biz vs musicians... They did launch a lot of careers though, like Louie Shelton's https://youtu.be/7L6Vin-5188 https://youtu.be/7L6Vin-5188