Seth.com: Interview with Davy Jones of The Monkees

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Jul 3, 2008
Interview with Davy Jones of The Monkees

Last night, I interviewed one of my favorite singers: Davy Jones of The Monkees.

What a thrill to meet and hang out with Davy. His voice on Monkees' hits like "Daydream Believer" and "Valleri" were part of the soundtrack of the 60s. Did you know the Monkees were bigger than The Beatles and Elvis combined in 1967? Imagine how many car radios blasted out their tunes from '66-'68 when they were a staple of AM radio. Fantastic, happy music! Sherman Oaks, Ca., 2008.

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In retrospect, The Monkees were much more brilliant than the music world gives them credit for. Studio musicians, to be sure, but the personalities and surreal/vaudevillesque format of the show were something that couldn't have been done by just anybody. "Vallerie" is still a favorite of mine. The opening guitar riff still blows me away!

Posted by: Bill at July 5, 2008 7:32 PM

It was very cool meeting and hanging with Davy. He's a very nice person, a very real person. I happen to think the 5 best PURE POP songs ever are: Penny Lane, Hot Fun in the Summertime, The Rain, The Park and Other Things,California Girls and Daydream Believer --not in that order, except for Penny lane first, the prefect pop song.

So, to meet Davy Jones, the guy who sand that incredible song --and others from that fun-filled time (I was 7 in 1967), was really fun for me.

I happen to like The Monkees "hits" more than I like them as their own band. I know that's politically incorrect to say, amongst Monkees fans, but the formula workd: Micky or Davy's lead vocals, great pure pop songs, backed by The Wrecking Crew musicians and a fun TV show, where all 4 shined.

Posted by: seth at July 5, 2008 8:28 PM

Two adds to your "perfect pop" song list: BB's "I Get Around" and a tune much like "The Rain, The Park" called "My World Fell Down" by Sagittarius. Another song I would be tempted to add to the list, although it might generate some controversy, is the ORIGINAL single version of "Cruel to Be Kind" by Nick Lowe. The hit version of this song was overproduced and under-performed.

Posted by: Bill at July 7, 2008 10:35 AM

Seth, to interview Davy Jones, I can understand your emotions. For me Micky has always been my favorite - but Davy has always been right up there.

Oh and in 1967 I was nine years old, and I had more Monkees albums then any other group, Beatles included! They were a great band and funny on the tube also. Rock on Guys!

Posted by: Darwin at July 7, 2008 2:44 PM