Editor's Desk 
1966 WEEK! A special 60th ANNIVERSARY celebration by the comics great and Monkees album designer…
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Welcome to 1966 WEEK — a 60th anniversary celebration of an extraordinary, landmark year in popular culture. For seven days, we’re bringing you a whole host of features on everything from Star Trek, to Batman, to the Beatles, to the Monkees, and much, much more. (Just check out Walt Grogan’s latest fab banner, above!) Click here for more of the far out fun! — Dan
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By MIKE ALLRED
CRAZY how much pop culture passion still reverberates with me today, having erupted when I was a wee one in 1966. The big three for me being Batman, Star Trek, and The Monkees. All mostly ever-present my entire life thanks to syndication and then VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray box sets.
To the great joy of the little kid that still thrives and survives in me, I’ve been able to do comic book covers (for every Batman ’66 issue and crossover), stories, and a couple of music videos for these iconic entities.
I’m still bruised from pinching myself.
But now, I wanna specifically zero in on the Monkees, whose TV show debuted 60 years ago, on Sept. 12, 1966: Why anyone ever has to argue the significance, influence and magic of the Monkees is absurd. Chemistry is chemistry. A hit is a hit. Charm is charm. And this band, this show, this music, has it all over me. I DIG ‘EM INFINITELY!
My favorite album by far is their self-titled debut, for the simple reason that my older cousin Robin came to live with us and brought her record collection (also planting my love for the British invasion when I otherwise wouldn’t have been exposed to it at such a young age). Among her most played LPs was this beauty, which I’ve never tired of, and which only ever fills me with the happiest of memories. Apologies to all my other cousins, but Robin will always be my favorite, being much more a sister than a cousin.
Now, beyond that distinction, let’s to stick to the “List of 13.” I’m gonna jump around from songwriting, TV episodes, songs, and THE MOVIE:
Let the countdown begin!
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13. The Songwriters. The Monkees utilized great songwriters, many of whom went on to stellar careers as recording artists themselves: Harry Nilsson, Carole King, Neil Diamond… but they also wrote some great tunes themselves with Mike Nesmith the clear standout and ridiculously underrated. And a great song needs a great singer. Mike and Peter could hold their own, but Davey and Micky had instantly, uniquely recognizable voices. I personally think Micky Dolenz is one of the greatest vocalists ever, and any songwriter would be blessed to have him sing their songs. And they were.
Tommy Boyce, Davy Jones, Bobby Hart, Micky Dolenz, when they were a band in the ’70s
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12. (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone (Song). This song rocks!
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11. Daydream Believer (Song). If you ever wanna get folks to sing along to sumpin’, this tune should come with a guarantee.
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10. Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. (Album). Super groovy grab bag of an album that runs the gamut of the Harry Nilsson-penned “Cuddly Toy” and Mike Nesmith writing a song opening the door to Micky psychedelia and a very early synthesizer breakthrough.
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9. Art For Monkees’ Sake (TV Episode). Big fun with the fellas in black turtlenecks performing a museum heist!
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8. Monkees on Tour (TV Episode). Nifty li’l documentary showing lotsa candid Monkeemania capturing a taste of the era and the phenomenon. And it WAS in fact a phenomenon!
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7. Monkees Get Out More Dirt (TV Episode). Julie Newmar! ‘Nuff said.
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6. I Was A Teenage Monster (TV episode). I dig monsters! Famous Monsters Of Filmland was my favorite childhood magazine. And watching the Monkees in a scary castle with mad science, and future Bond villain Richard “Jaws” Kiel, is a crazy treat!
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5. Christmas Party (Album). Yes, this album ranks near the top because I was asked to draw the cover, but it’s also a FANTASTIC Christmas album!
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4. Good Times! (Album). I was blown away how GREAT this album is when I first heard it. Proof that anyone can come back with a masterpiece any time. And I celebrate everyone who sculpted this beauty.
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3. Headquarters (Album). How cool is it that they were able to pull this together like a “real” band?! And this killer LP includes my favorite Mickey Dolenz song, “Randy Scouse Git”!
It’s exhausting to watch the Rock and Roll Hall of “Shame” make one “too late” induction after another (or never induct), when artists who have long been eligible have passed on. Too many other inductees have cut the line on so many true rockers that broke barriers, records, and elevated the medium, only to be denied because of a handful of “deciding ignorant tastemakers.” I’ve never cared how a band came together. Auditions for a TEE VEE show? Auditioning in a garage after school? I DON’T CARE. But when any artists make magic under any circumstances, celebrate it!
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2. Take a Giant Step (Song). Today this is my favorite Monkees song. Tomorrow it might be “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day.” My favorite Monkees tune can change in a blink. Right here, right now, this be it.
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1. Head (Movie). I can, and have, watched this flick on a loop. It’s a trip I’m always happy to take. And being a fan of independent film, I honor the roots that grew from it.
VIVA THE MONKEES!
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MORE
— The Complete 1966 WEEK INDEX of Features. Click here.
— My 13 Favorite MONKEES Songs, by MIKE ALLRED. Click here.
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Multiple Eisner Award-winner MIKE ALLRED is one of the most respected artists and writers in comics. Probably best known for Madman and iZombie, he’s also drawn, written or contributed to a litany of series and projects such as Batman ’66; X-Statix; The Archies (guest starring the Monkees); Wednesday Comics; FF; Silver Surfer; Bowie: Stardust, Rayguns, and Moonage Daydreams, and many, many more.
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