Not only that, it seems to be getting some really good reviews and so are the Monkees themselves for "Saving the Music Industry."

I dunno.

I have heard that Mike Nesmith was the one Monkee most reluctant to
re-unite with the other three. Now that Davey had died (and has been dead since 2012) Nesmith decides to collaborate with the other two.

All the Monkees lived to a ripe old age (even Davy before he died) considering that two members of the Beatles died before the age of 64.
(The more time goes by the more you realize how "young" John Lennon was when he died).
Maybe the surviving Monkees, and especially Mike Nesmith realized that they have a certain historic place in in pop culture no matter how "insignificant" it is considered to be by Rock and Roll purists, and it would be important in its own way to make a (perhaps) "final" set of songs together before any more of them are no longer around.


I have also heard some people say that back when the Monkees were as popular as they could be, they were at odds with the producers of their hit TV show over creative control of their material and also the Monkees wanted to play their own instruments but they were forbidden from doing so, but that at least some members of the band made it hard for themselves as far as creative control of their material because one or more of the group just would not cooperate (etc etc). I would not know the exact politics involved, but the Monkees broke up basically under the same circumstances as the Beatles did.

Though I was a fan of the Monkees' music and of the TV show, I wonder why it took Davy's death for the rest of them to band together again. Of course it might not have anything to do with it, but if the get-together was to "Celebrate 50 years of the Monkees music" they could have celebrated 40 years of their music while Davy was still around.

Anyone have perspective on this?
Am I misunderstanding something.?




http://www.examiner.com/review/monkees-are-saving-the-music-industry


http://www.npr.org/2016/05/23/479198028/hey-hey-its-50-years-of-the-monkees

http://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2016/05/19/478417461/song-premiere-the-monkees-me-magdalena

http://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2016/05/24/479313089/new-mix-the-monkees-esm-patterson-adia-victoria-matt-the-electrician-more

Well, it looks to me that you aren't very familiar with The Monkees. Or rather, have not followed their careers over the last 50 years.

Everyone who is a Monkees fan knows the story about their fight for creative control. They fought for it and they won it.

The Monkees never really broke up. They have always been touring on some level, steadily, since the 1980's. Then it was Micky, Davy and Peter as Mike chose to not tour. He doesn't really like touring, which is why, to promote this new album, Micky and Peter are doing it. Mike will appear with them for interviews, etc.

They didn't "decide" to tour again after Davy Jones died. Mike DID however, join them at the end of 2012 and into 2013 on the road....perhaps it was as much a comfort to them to be together as it was to the grieving fans. Afterall, Davy was like their brother. They loved him dearly.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Monkees' TV show and of their first recording. 50 years is a milestone for anyone or anything.

Might I suggest you watch a documentary on The Monkees on Youtube, called "Hey Hey It's the Monkees". Recorded around 2001 I think. Very good, very detailed and good interviews with all 4 guys.