Swing into sizzling summer action, as we celebrate the fabulous 51st anniversary of the halcyon and historical HEADQUARTERS album!
First up-Alan and Al play a great game of "what if?" What if the Monkees never shook off Don Kirshner? How would that work? What would all the later albums sound like? What would HEADQUARTERS consist of? How would this affect concerts? Chart hits? How could Mike ever work successfully with Donnie? Lots of fun, discussing "coulda/shoulda been" scenarios!
ALSO-Hear our exclusive new interview with the man who recorded HEADQUARTERS (and so many other bits of Monkees music), engineer Hank Cicalo! Hank "ran the board" for the HQ album, and has a clear memory of working with the guys! Hear about the challenges, the risks, and the pressures, of being part of the newly-independent Monkees music!
NEXT-Monkees agent and event organizer Jodi Ritzen calls us, with the latest news on the Micky and Mike tour, and Monkees meet-and-greet happenings!
PLUS-A great re-mix of the chart-topping "I'm a Believer!" You can't miss this!
AND-(Can ya stand even more?) We announce our latest TPCHC contest! Win even more rare 60s treasures! Hear how! It's easy!
Plus-Music! Mirth! Madness! More you can want?
So what are ya waiting for? Click below to listen now, or download here (or on your phone), or directly from SoundCloud, iTunes, iHeart Radio, or Google Play!
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| Above: We all know the story. Upset with the iron-hand handling from Don Kirshner, Mike and the band really wanted out. Just look at how happy Nez is in the above pic. |
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| Above: You gotta love Donnie's adoring praise for "his boys." When not being interviewed, he had somewhat different (and very limiting) views of the boys... |
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| Above: Free at last! The band celebrates its independence, and the recording of their did-it-ourselves HEADQUARTERS album! Note Hank as "the Monkee in the middle!" |
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| Above: The fascinating story of "No Time!" |
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| Above two pics: Mike is flanked by Hank, during the recording of WICHITA TRAIN WHISTLE SINGS in 1967! |
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| Above: Hank (center) in the studio with James Taylor and Carole King, recording the famed TAPESTY album! |
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| Above: Hank is sitting between Boyce and Hart, two songwriters the Monkees used before and after the Kirshner break! |
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| Above: Hank in more recent times, enjoying a toast to a long and successful career! |
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| Wanna hear Alan and Al have another discussion on how HEADQUARTERS coulda been different? Click here to listen in on this torrid 2016 confab! |
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| Want the very latest about the Micky and Mike tour? Or the up-to-date scoops on Monkees meet-and-greets? Hear Jodi Ritzen on this very episode, and click herefor even more awesome info! |
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| Above three images: Alan (left) and Al (right) recording this very epic episode! |
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| Above three pics: Alan models the new lot of loot you could win! Rare 80s fanzines! A super-rare HERE NO EVIL sticker! An actual 1968 copy of MONKEES SPECTACULAR #16! |
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| Above four images: A peek inside that colossal copy of MONKEES SPEC! Listen to this very episode to learn how it can be yours! |
