The Monkees Tale [Paperback]

Eric Lefcowitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1989

This is the second edition of Eric Lefcowitz's The Monkees Tale, the first biography published about the made-for-TV-band the Monkees. Released months before MTV sparked a Monkees comeback, this book became the definitive guide for fans of the group in the 1980s. A second edition was published in 1989 with a new cover and some added material including an updated history of the group and an interview with Don Kirshner. In 2010, Lefcowitz expanded and rewrote the book which is now called Monkee Business.

Editorial Reviews

Review

What a great book! --New Musical Express

An insightful study of an often misunderstood pop phenomenon. --Goldmine Magazine

It looks fine to me! --Michael Nesmith

About the Author

Eric Lefcowitz's books on popular culture include The Monkees Tale, Tomorrow Never Knows The Beatles' Last Concert, Have a Nice Day: Rhino's History of Rock'n'Roll in the 1970s. He has freelanced for newspapers including the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle and Miami Herald. His website Retrofuture.com was launched in 2001.

Product Details

• Paperback: 118 pages
• Publisher: Retrofuture Products; Rev Sub edition (August 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0867193786
• ISBN-13: 978-0867193787
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #908,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eric Lefcowitz began writing in the early 1980s, releasing his first book "The Monkees Tale" in 1985. Thanks to exposure on MTV, the book became a bestseller and Lefcowitz has subsequently become known as a historian on the influential 60s band. Since then, Lefcowitz has published in a variety of settings including an anniversary article on the movie "Dr. Strangelove" for the New York Times, several books (most notably, "Tomorrow Never Knows: The Beatles' Last Concert" with famed music photographer Jim Marshall) and the website Retrofuture.com which was originally created for AOL. Lefcowitz now runs a specialty food business called Retrofuture Products which promotes emerging independent food producers, including his own line of space-related novelties. In his spare time, he writes and plays in the band The Mulligan Band, is raising three children, and still has time to walk his dog Maxi. In 2011, he re-released a comprehensive 45-year spanning biography called "Monkee Business: The Revolutionary Made-For-TV Band."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hey Hey They're Still the Monkees!, September 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Monkees Tale (Paperback)

This book originally came out in 1986, before the "reunion" tour, and provided in-depth interviews with Mickey, Davey, Peter, and Mike, complete discography, a listing of the original 58 shows, and was loaded with photos. In 1990, Lefcowitz updated it, adding information about their 1986-87 reunion (sans Mike) and their 1987 album release Pool It. This is recommended to Monkees fans everywhere.

However, the story goes on from this book and it would be nice if Lefcowitz updated it. In 1996, the Monkees reuinited again (this time with Mike), released one album (Justus), went on tour, and in 1997, had a hilarious hour-long TV special.

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Spend your money elsewhere, February 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Monkees Tale (Paperback)

Well written, but the vast number of inaccuracies and unfounded rumors make this book almost worthless. Author notes that Nesmith's Colpix 45s never went beyond promotional pressings (wrong!), the cereal box records featured songs years before their "official" release (wrong! the cereal box records came out in 1969/70), Charles Manson tried out for the Monkees (wrong Wrong WRONG!) etc, etc. The discography section is also essentially worthless (and VERY outdated).

Simply put...if you want to know the story behind The Monkees, you would be MUCH better off reading either Davy or Micky's autobiography, or the excellent book by Maggie McManus & Ed Reilly "A Manufactured Image".

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Fascinating Group of All-Time, July 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Monkees Tale (Paperback)

The Monkees were not just a manufactured image as some would have you believe. Micky, Davy, Peter and Mike were REAL talents and so were the talented songwriters and producers who helped them create their timeless pop music. Throw Jack Nicholson and Jimi Hendrix into the mix and you have a fascinating time capsule of the 1960s cultural ferment. Highly recommended!