Customer Reviews

The Monkees Tale

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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 The discography section is also essentially worthless (and VERY outdated).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".

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!

I read this book back when I was a teenage fanatic of the band, and I loved it then. But then it wasn't hard to love it then, [...]. But I have gone back and read through this again and it stands the test of time. I'm really glad Eric Lefcowitz wanted to sit down and put together this compendium. I highly recommend it!

This is a great book about a great group--I must have read it twenty times and I keep getting new insights. A must for fans of 60s pop music and the Monkees.

Lefcowitz sheds light on lesser known details regarding each of the guys, as well as covering the highlights (and lowlights) in their personal lives and their collective and individual careers. An enlightening look into the lives of the first video pop stars.

If you love the Monkees, this is the book for you. It's got accurate information, and if you're a picture nut like me, it's got great pictures to look at!

The book is interesting. There are however good pictures. I read this book a lot too. I love collecting books even Monkee books and this book is a collectors item I think. It's a must have if you love the monkees like I do.........

I've skimmed through Monkeemania: The Story of the Monkees and am hoping to find Monkees Tale by Lefcowitz in a store near me! And it's funny how a reader who reviewed this book is from Beavertown, PA, where Davy Jones currently lives.. Isn't that weird? ;)---*doreen*---