I saw the Monkees perform at a Texas Ranger's game in the early 80's. We used to drive in and get the cheap $2 tickets out in left field where the shade would take the longest to arrive. Dave Hostetler (sp?) hit a HR and the Rangers won and then the Monkees set up their stage behind 2nd base. It was clear they were lip syncing and when the music started skipping (this was before digitial) and repeated "last train to Clarksville...last train to Clarksville...last train to Clarksville...last train to Clarksville..." and Davey was apoplectic it turned into one of the funniest concerts I've ever attended. Everyone left (not many) in the stadium was laughing at them.
One also should note that they had the greatest team of songwriters in the history of the world working for them. Neil Diamond Harry Nilsson Carol King Gerry Goffin Boyce and Hart Barry Mann Cynthia Weil Essentially the entire Brill Building. Personally, I give them a little bit of slack on the instruments. It's true that they had the best studio musicians in LA playing on all their albums, but have you ever looked at the list of people who played on Pet Sounds and also how few Beach Boys actually did?
As more and more discoveries are made, the theory of evolution will become more and more complete and people who are attacking it will have less and less to say
