Blog - Monkees Live Almanac

"The Psychedelic Sessions"

5/8/2016

Featuring:
"Star Collector" (from Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.)
"Daily Nightly" (from Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.)
"Circle Sky" (from the motion picture Head / Live 1968)
"Wind Up Man" (from 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee)
"String For My Kite" (from 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee)
"Solfeggietto" (from 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee)
"Listen to the Band" (from 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee)

Updates on Monkees Blu-ray package, "Good Times!" and more

4/15/2016

The Live Almanac would like to thank Ken Mills at "Zilch: A Monkees Podcast!" who recently interviewed Monkees archivist Andrew Sandoval and Rhino executive John Hughes. Andrew and John delivered a ton of news this Friday evening about a multitude of Monkees-related items, including updates about the Blu-ray package, Good Times!, and the 50th Anniversary Tour. You will hear Andrew and John talk about outtakes from both Head and 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee, and much, much more!

Zilch #53 JOHN HUGHES & ANDREW SANDOVAL WITH MONKEES NEWS!

"Monkee Specials"

4/15/2016

(Courtesy of KLRA Beat Archive)

"Brian Visits The Monkees and Finds Peter Tork is Leaving..."

3/29/2016

This piece comes from the January 4, 1969 issue of the British publication Record Mirror. In it, Brian Auger, who starred in The Monkees' 1969 television special 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee, discusses Peter's exit from the group. Thanks to Rosemary Reedman for submitting this clipping to the Live Almanac!

(Click to enlarge)

Rhino reveals full contents of limited edition Blu-ray box set; Release date moved from January 29 to April 29

1/12/2016

*UPDATE: APRIL 14, 2016*
Rhino has announced a second delay regarding The Monkees' Blu-ray package, which now has a release date of June 27, 2016.

In an email this evening from Monkees.com, the following information regarding the upcoming release, The Monkees - The Complete Series on Blu-ray, was provided:

Full contents of THE MONKEES - THE COMPLETE SERIES
on Blu-ray revealed!

All 58 episodes, newly remastered in stunning HD from the original negatives for the very first time, plus the 1969 TV Special "33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee"

Bonus material featuring commentaries from all four Monkees, original Kellogg's Monkees commercials, and more

The 1968 Monkees film "HEAD" in HD with never-before-seen outtakes

Unique packaging including a 7" featuring "Star Collector" b/w "Goin' Down" in unique TV mono mixes

Strictly limited to 10,000 individually numbered sets

Only available at Monkees.com

We're excited to reveal the contents of this long-awaited collection. But first, check out the fantastic packaging - a lenticular 3-D cover mount that "moves" as you tilt it!

Discs 1-7

All 58 original, uncut episodes of THE MONKEES, remastered in HD from the original film negatives
Audio commentary from all four Monkees

NEW audio commentary from Micky Dolenz, Rodney Bingenheimer and
"Monkee Girl" Valerie Kairys Venet

Alternate "Saturday morning rerun" versions of 10 episodes with alternate songs and mixes

All in the original glorious mono direct from the film audio mags

Disc 8

The 1968 movie HEAD, in HD

Optional DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround soundtrack

Audio commentary from all four Monkees

Disc 9

The 1969 NBC television special 33 1/3 REVOLUTIONS PER MONKEE, restored from
newly discovered video elements

Audio commentary from Micky Dolenz

Disc 10 - BONUS DISC, AVAILABLE IN THIS STRICTLY LIMITED EDITION ONLY!

Original screen tests

Original TV commercial spots featuring The Monkees

Newly discovered outtakes from THE MONKEES TV series

Newly discovered color promo film for "Randy Scouse Git" created for TOP OF THE POPS and unseen since its original airing

Never-before-seen backstage footage of The Monkees at the 1967 Emmy Awards

Newly discovered outtakes from the movie HEAD

Newly discovered outtakes from the TV special 33 1/3 REVOLUTIONS PER MONKEE

The Monkees on THE JOHNNY CASH SHOW in 1969, including "Nine Times Blue" and "Everybody Loves A Nut (with Johnny Cash)"

The Monkees on THE GLEN CAMPBELL GOODTIME HOUR in 1969, including a medley of "Last Train to Clarksville/I'm A Believer/Salesman" and a performance of "Tear Drop City"

The Monkees on ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN in 1969

Davy Jones performing "Someday Man" from the 1969 TV special MUSIC BAG,
unseen since its original airing

Newly restored color promo film for "Oh My My"

As you can see, we've been working up to the last minute to make this the most spectacular collection possible for fans. As a result, we reluctantly have to move our release date a few weeks back, to April 29. We realize this is disappointing, but we want to ensure this is release is up to Rhino's highest standards. And believe us, it will be worth the wait!

This collection is strictly limited to 10,000 individually numbered boxes and once those are sold out, this edition and bonus disc will never be available again. Don't miss out - pre-order your copy now!

Andrew Sandoval talks with Micky about footage of the KHJ train ride, "33 1/3" outtakes, and more!

12/18/2015

The Monkees on Blu-ray

MIcky Dolenz on the Monkees on Blu Ray
More new commentaries are being recorded for THE MONKEES - THE COMPLETE SERIES on Blu Ray!Today, reissue producer Andrew Sandoval welcomes the one and only Micky Dolenz! Catch a bit of what they'll be discussing in the exclusive video below.Get 'THE MONKEES - THE COMPLETE SERIES' in glorious High-Definition Blu Ray January 2016! Order at Monkees.com here: http://smarturl.it/MonkeesD2C
Posted by The Monkees on Friday, December 18, 2015

The Monkees, KHJ, the 1966 Promotional Tour, and more

Don't miss "33 1/3!"

12/11/2015

Monkees 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee

Monkees 33 1/3 Revolutions ad

(Images from the April 1969 issue of 16 Magazine)

Latest sneak peeks at the Blu-ray set

11/4/2015

The official Monkees Twitter account has shared a few more photos as production continues on the upcoming Blu-ray box set. This one, of Mike on the set of 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee with his Gibson Les Paul, appeared today.

Monkees 33 1/3 outtake

And a picture of a previously unseen late 1969 appearance by Davy Jones on Dick Clark's Music Bag, featuring Davy singing "Someday Man," was unveiled yesterday.

Davy Jones Music Bag

Be sure to keep an eye on the Live Almanac's Twitter account (in the blog sidebar to the right). I recently added a feed so any updates, news, or photos like those above can be readily available on the blog in the event I can't update the site at that moment. Or, you could follow me on Twitter!

Sandoval and Hughes analyze upcoming Monkees Blu-ray set

11/2/2015

In a revealing and often tantalizing interview with Zilch podcast chief Ken Mills, Monkees historian and archivist Andrew Sandoval, along with Rhino Records producer (and longtime Monkees fan) John Hughes, spoke in great detail about the ongoing production of a special limited edition Monkees Blu-ray box set, one that will stretch ten discs and include numerous bonus features. It is available exclusively at Monkees.com with a scheduled release date of January 29, 2016. (UPDATE 1/12/2016: The release date has been moved to April 29, 2016.) Here's an overview of the interview which casts light on the contents of the set and more. (At the same time, let me highly encourage you to visit Zilch and listen for yourself, as it is a must-hear interview for any Monkees fan.)

General Information

This particular set will encompass The Monkees on film from 1965-1970.
Andrew's good working relationship with Sony Pictures while producing the Criterion box set of BBS films (which included Head) led to the discovery of outtakes from the movie and The Monkees' television show (which Andrew had been told previously in the 1990s didn't exist).
Andrew, on the restoration process of the TV show from the original film negatives: "My jaw drops every day."
John detailed the packaging, which will be similar to the Monkees Rhino Handmade sets but thicker. The front cover will be "a huge lenticular cover mount from the Rainbow Room...when you tilt it, it will move...and it will be amazing."
An attempt was made to include a mini-Monkeemobile with the package but the production company needed 18 months notice in advance for production purposes. However, Hughes relayed that "a licensee will create a Monkeemobile later on."
Audio is not 5.1 (or fake 5.1) but is true to the original soundtrack and "sounds significantly better" than previous DVD releases; John Hughes says the "mono mixes really leap out..."
A "Play All" feature will be included
Addressing some fans who are expressing concerns over the cost of the set, Andrew noted that "the restoration of the series is costing about $300,000 alone." John added that figure "doesn’t include publishing costs, SAG costs, Directors Guild...this is not your typical release." Sandoval explained that "It's a joint venture between Sony and Rhino, which has taken several years to happen...it's a monumental event in Monkees history."
Regarding commentary tracks on the TV show and commentaries from the Criterion Head: commentaries from the original Monkees DVD sets will be ported over to the new Blu-ray set; commentary from Criterion Head will not be ported over due to rights issues. Andrew noted that they are "in discussions with various parties to do some new commentaries."

The Monkees television series

Original film has been found for all 58 episodes of the television series
35mm version of the pilot featuring different title cards and opening/closing credits
There will be an option to play music videos from the TV show on each respective disc of the set, but as of now there won't be a complete collection of the videos.
Outtakes from the TV show have been located but are mostly silent footage from the romp scenes. No extended scenes or interviews have been found to date.
Original film of the "Too Many Girls" episode exists and the set will include both the censored and uncensored versions.
There will be some alternate soundtrack versions of the shows included
The original version of the pilot will be included and has been remastered.

Head

Andrew, regarding the original ending of Head: "Footage does exist from the four different times The Monkees escape the box, but I can’t confirm right now whether or not we have everything...it's certainly not a cut together ending."
30 canisters of footage from Head have been discovered. Andrew: "A lot of amazing stuff in there," but it's too early to confirm what will be used for the set.

33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee

A couple of camera reels from 33 1/3 have been located, and regarding this footage Andrew noted that "It's the most earth shattering, historical Monkees development in my world in many a year, I think."
33 1/ 3 Spanish version will be included
Original uncut performance of The Monkees playing "Listen to the Band" from 33 1/3 has been unearthed, and John promised that an excerpt will "be premiered on a major online outlet in the next few weeks."
Alternate version of Davy's "Goldilocks Sometime" scene

Bonus Material

7" single to be included with the box that will feature previously unreleased TV mixes of "Goin' Down" (the live in-house studio vocal version) and "Star Collector"
Work will continue until the very last minute to include as much extra material as possible in the box set. Items are still being searched for and there will be surprises.
Bonus material will only be included in the limited edition release. There is a chance the set will come to normal retail outlets in late 2016 but not with the bonus material (licensing costs, etc. prevent the release of the bonus material outside of the limited edition).
Various items have been located that were not detailed in Andrew's 2005 book, The Monkees: The Day-by-Day Story of the '60s TV Pop Sensation, including a promo video for "Randy Scouse Git" by British filmmaker Peter Whitehead, unseen since its original 1967 airing on Top of the Pops in the United Kingdom. That airing was in black and white only but a color version of the video will appear on the Blu-ray set.
The complete 1969 appearances of The Monkees on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (including the live medley and lip sync performance of "Tear Drop City") and The Johnny Cash Show (highlighted by the live performance of "Nine Times Blue") have been officially licensed and restored.
Previously unseen late 1969 appearance by Davy Jones on Dick Clark's Music Bag, featuring Davy singing "Someday Man"
Kool-Aid promo film screened during the pre-show on recent Monkees tours
Original "Oh My My" promo video
Footage of the KHJ contest live performance from the 1966 Promotional Tour

In the Works

John Hughes teased a re-release of Dell Monkees comic books
Andrew Sandoval confirms that a 1980s/1990s Monkees video package is one of the next projects in the pipeline. Andrew said that such a package could include things like the 1987 Heart and Soul Videography, the 1997 Justus home video, the 1996 Billboard Live performance by all four Monkees, 1980s MTV material, and hopefully the 1997 ABC television special (which is not owned by Rhino but instead by all three Monkees and Davy's estate). Andrew said he would like to focus on this era because of the high volume of fans that come from the mid-'80s wave of Monkeemania. Hughes on potentially licensing 1980s footage from MTV: "We have a really good relationship with MTV."
John Hughes hinted that there's much more to come to celebrate The Monkees' 50th Anniversary: "This is the beginning for Monkees 50...this is just the beginning." Andrew added: "We've got a lot of exciting stuff...there's going to be more surprises...stuff that you won't expect is going to happen. We are very excited."

Andrew Sandoval previews unseen "33 1/3" footage

10/20/2015

Andrew recently shared the news on Twitter that while working on the upcoming Monkees Blu-ray set, unaired outtakes from The Monkees' 1969 television special 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee have been found:

Having fun, watching never broadcast footage of @MonkeesOfficial this morning @monkeesnews @themonkeestour pic.twitter.com/8nwKR0Xe30
— Andrew Sandoval (@cometothesun) October 15, 2015

He later confirmed that this lost footage from 33 1/3 will be included in the set:

Rolling Stone magazine coverage of Monkees Blu-ray set

9/8/2015

Monkees' Complete TV Series, 'Head' Coming to Blu-ray

Monkees 50th Anniversary celebrations start with a bang: Rhino announces expansive Blu-ray limited edition box set, which will include never-before-seen outtakes from "Head"

9/8/2015

On the 50th Anniversary of the initial casting call for The Monkees television series, Rhino Records announced the first of what is promised to be many surprises planned to celebrate The Monkees' 50th Anniversary in 2016:

(Image courtesy of Rhino Entertainment / Click to pre-order)

THE DETAILS

• All 58 episodes, newly remastered in stunning HD from the original negatives for the very first time, plus the 1969 TV Special "33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee"
• Bonus material featuring commentaries from all four Monkees, original Kellogg’s Monkees commercials, and more
• The 1968 Monkees film "HEAD" in HD with never-before-seen outtakes
• Unique packaging including a 7" of two previously unreleased TV mixes
• Strictly limited to 10,000 individually numbered sets
• Only available at Monkees.com

PRESS RELEASE

50 years ago today on September 8, 1965, when producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider placed a classified ad in The Hollywood Reporter seeking "4 insane boys," they had no idea that they were about to unleash Monkee-mania! But that’s exactly what happened the following year when the first episode of "The Monkees" debuted on NBC on September 12, 1966.

On the 50th anniversary of that fateful casting call, Rhino is excited to announce the upcoming release of the entire series (58 episodes) in stunning high-definition Blu-ray for the very first time, painstakingly restored from the newly located original film negatives. The 10-disc Blu-ray collection will also include the 1968 cult-classic "HEAD," along with many never-before-seen outtakes from the film. It’s the beginning of many surprises planned to celebrate The Monkees’ 50th anniversary in 2016.

While we don't have final package art yet, we will be revealing it soon, along with behind-the-scenes making-of videos and samples of the stunning new transfer vs. the current versions, plus plenty of surprises, like this original TV spot, unseen for nearly 50 years!

Shipping January, THE MONKEES - THE COMPLETE SERIES ON BLU-RAY is now available for pre-order exclusively at Monkees.com. This fan edition is individually numbered and is strictly limited to 10,000 sets – this WILL sell out quickly, so place your pre-order now!

COVER ART

Presenting - the front cover of THE MONKEES - THE COMPLETE SERIES on Blu Ray!The actual photo will be a mounted...
Posted by The Monkees on Monday, December 21, 2015

PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN ORIGINAL TV SPOT

Monkees Original NBC TV Spot
We are kicking off The Monkees 50th anniversary celebration with THE MONKEES - THE COMPLETE SERIES on High-Definition Blu Ray! We've located the original 35mm negatives and are currently remastering the entire series in stunning HD! The set includes all 58 episodes, the "33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee" TV special, the cult classic Monkees movie HEAD, never-before-seen HEAD outtakes, original Kellogg's commercials, commentaries and more surprises to be revealed.This deluxe fan edition is strictly limited to 10,000 individually numbered sets and is available ONLY on Monkees.com - not from any store or other online retailer!Pre-order yours now before they're gone! Here's the ONLY place you can get this fantastic set: http://smarturl.it/MonkeesD2CTo whet your appetite, here is an original NBC network promo we've located (it hasn't been mastered yet, but we couldn't wait to share it!) - this hasn't been seen for nearly 50 years!
Posted by The Monkees on Tuesday, September 8, 2015

PRODUCED BY MONKEES ARCHIVIST ANDREW SANDOVAL

RELEASE DATE

April 29, 2016 (Original release date: January 29, 2016)

SPECIFICS & BONUS FEATURES

Producers of Blu-ray box reveal more details

UPDATE 1/12/2016: Full contents revealed!

Welcome to the March 1969 issue of Monkees Monthly

8/15/2015

(Above: On the set of "33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee")

"The Monkees Before and After Peter Left"

8/8/2015

(From the March 1969 issue of Monkees Monthly)

The Monkees with Little Richard in "33 1/3"

8/4/2015

Monkees 33 1/3 Revolutions Little Richard

(From the March 1969 issue of Monkees Monthly)

In a segment from The Monkees' 1969 NBC television special 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee, the quartet performed a '50s rock medley consisting of "At The Hop," "Little Darlin'," and "Shake a Tail Feather." The group is accompanied during the medley by Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Fats Domino, We Three, and The Clara Ward Singers.

"33 1/3"

7/18/2015

Monkees 33 1/3

(From the August 1969 issue of Teen Screen)

Mike sings "Naked Persimmon" from '33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee'

7/17/2015

"Well the devil incarnate runnin' music supervision
Put me into a state of cataleptic euphemism"

Mike Nesmith Naked Persimmon

(From the August 1969 issue of Teen Screen)

Test Tube Monkees

4/25/2015

Monkees test tube 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee

(Photo courtesy eBay)

Davy and Peter in "33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee"

2/6/2015

Monkees 33 1/3 Revolutions Per

(From the February 1969 issue of Monkees Monthly)

The January 1969 issue of Monkees Monthly magazine

2/4/2015

Here's Peter, Micky, and Mike on the cover, photographed during the filming of 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee.

Monkees Monthly

(From my collection)