sassyeve2003 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Are you for real or just shortsighted and anal, It was that enjoyment that lead me to learn as much about these remarkable guys as I could. It is a Great story, and I would recomend ANY true fan to learn it. Mickys autobiography is a good start, after you get done and say WOW that was amazing try Andrew Sandovals epic The Monkees Day to Day History which is considered the bible of everything Monkee and the only book endorsed by all 4 guys. Total Control by Mikes 1st wife is also a great read

deadite87 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Man, I can't help but hate it when people get into things like this. Can't we just enjoy the music? Mike may well have been that way but he still contributed a lot to the band and helped them get recognised as more than a manufactured group.

bandcouver (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I agree. The Monkees' music went greatly downhill without Chip Douglas producing. "Headquaters" & "PAC&JL" are their best albums.

sassyeve2003 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I never said Mike got the walking papers, you need to re-read my comment, I said Mike gave Chip his walking papers after Pisces.

liontone (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I agree totally. I love Mike, but he has a control-freak/destructive side that tends to be shortsighted. Chip Douglas was a GREAT find (by Mike - who trained him to produce). Hell, I would have hired Douglas as a full-time bassist away from the Turtles. That's like a 3 for 1 deal. The Douglas-era is EASILY the best era of Monkees.

kenc1161 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Though his mom invented liquid paper in 1956, it was not to become a big success until 1967-1968 after Mike funded her operation and she started to produce it in large numbers,even then it was not making Mike rich, she sold the company for under 50 million in the mid 70s and though Mike benifited, his money always came from his music. His settlement of his company Pacific Arts lawsuit againt PBS in the 90s was said to be 500 million, Now thats getting paid...

kenc1161 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I laugh at anything in Wiki, according to Mickys autobiography and Andrew Sandovals book The Monkees Day to Day History & Total Control by Mikes 1st wife it was Mike. At the end of Picses recordings he started to not come to the group sessions, which bummed Chip and especially Peter who really wanted them to be a real band, Mike convinced Micky & Davy that they could do it on their own without Chip, and Chip said Mike came to him and said sorry buddy we gonna do this next one by ourselfs.

teejate (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Although it's just a Wiki entry, Nesmith is quoted as saying why he left the Monkees prior to his contract expiring. You should check it out. And the way I see it, the Producers hired the Monkees for a TV show. They were under contract and I can guarantee you that one of the conditions had to do with how the music component was handled. He knew what he was getting in to.The drag is that in those days artists were screwed out of a lot of cash, especially in back-end sales and merchandise.

johnny10301968 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Mike never left the monkees and he had every right to be a prick the producers would'nt let the monkees have any control over their music it started with don kirshner and it did'nt stop even after he was fired.

teejate (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Not sure if they gave Nesmith the walking papers. I heard it was the other way around. Supposedly, he was a bit of a prick and started making a lot of demands...wanting to 'legitimize' them as a musical group. They wouldn't acquiesce and he bolted. I always loved his 'audition tape." He was such a cocky guy. I guess when your Mom invents Liquid Paper it allows you some freedom. Great song though.