From the very beginning there have been comparisons and competition between the
Fab Four and the
Pre-Fab Four, in both the eyes of many fans and the media -
For many of us, though, it's like arguing
Star Trek vs.
Star Wars - while similarities and overlaps abound, they're separate things, comparing
Science Fiction and
Space Opera.
In truth, there's #1 spots for both.
When it comes to
The Monkees and
The Beatles, the boys themselves didn't seem to be bothered by the perceptions and expectations of others. Whether it's The Monkees checking out the latest release from The Beatles...
...boys from the bands hanging out together...
 |
| Micky & Paul hanging out at the time of the Sgt. Pepper sessions. |
 |
| That's Paul's dear Martha, folks. |
 |
| Cynthia Lennon, Phyllis Nesmith, Mike Nesmith, and Ringo Star. (Francoise Hardy in back) |
Oh, hey! Let's not forget working together, even. Here are Mike Nesmith and John Lennon from the legendary
A Day In The Life recording session - Monkee on Beatle action!
(Sorry, Snell)
And remember that
Peter Tork played guitar on
George Harrison's solo album ,
Wonderwall...
 |
| George Harrison tries to convince Ringo Starr to let Mickey Dolenz use his drum kit while Peter Tork checks out his guitar. (It doesn't weep) |
And when Monkees weren't hanging out with Beatles, the situation reversed. You can look in Monkees' Annual to see Ringo...
...and years later you can still find Ringo hanging out for Pizza...
Heck, by the time all was said and done, The Monkees were even signed with Beatles' manager
Brian Epstein -
John Lennon considered The Monkees to be
“the funniest comedy team since the Marx brothers,” and
George Harrison contemplated
“When they get it all sorted out, they might turn out to be the best.”
The music is littered with references, no surprise. Whether Mickey commenting
"I was going to buy a raccoon, but John's already got one" on
Gonna Buy Me A Dog or referring to the "
Four Kings Of EMI" on
Randy Scouse Git, or Paul singing
"Hey, Hey! We're The Monkees!" in his
Back In The US concert film.
Of course, The Monkees tv show was inspired by the Beatles' film
A Hard Day's Night. And it all comes full circle...
...and so it went...
(Sorry, Davy - I couldn't find my pics of your recording session)
A Hard Day's Knight from The Monkees Annual #3 (UK) (1969)
