The Monkees have a complicated place in the history of rock music. On the one hand, they scored some of the biggest hits of the ‘60s with “I’m a Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville,” and “Daydream Believer.” On the other, they were a band manufactured in 1966 for a TV show that did little more than sing on their earlier records.

All that changed in 1967 when they wrestled control over their musical careers from the executives who kept them out of the studio and began recording their music with the “Headquarters” album. But even though they proved to be talented musicians, The Monkees were still branded as a prefabricated band whose success was owed more to session musicians and top-tier songwriters.

Neil Diamond wrote "I'm a Believer" in 1966, and The Monkees recorded it for their second album, More of The Monkees. The song captured the 1960s’ sense of possibility—love and hope. pic.twitter.com/tJKXprcxO4— 🌸🎵 Beautiful Melody 🎶💖 (@Ducnghia16) June 2, 2026

Neil Diamond wrote "I'm a Believer" in 1966, and The Monkees recorded it for their second album, More of The Monkees. The song captured the 1960s’ sense of possibility—love and hope. pic.twitter.com/tJKXprcxO4— 🌸🎵 Beautiful Melody 🎶💖 (@Ducnghia16) June 2, 2026

Anyone who doubts the talent of Mickey Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Davy Jones and Peter Tork, look no further than a........

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