Hey, Hey, How Well Do You Know the Monkees?

By: Allison Lips
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Hey, Hey, How Well Do You Know the Monkees?
Image: Wiki Commons by Entertainment International

About This Quiz

From 1966 to 1968, Monkeemania swept the United States with multiple number one albums and an incredibly successful NBC television show. To this day, The Monkees continue to have legions of fans in all age groups attend the band's concerts. While the band's music has held up, The Monkees weren't always respected because the band was specifically formed for a television show. Not helping matters pertaining to the band's credibility is that fact that Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith did little more than sing on the band's first two records. However, that was not by choice. 

During the recording of The Monkees' third album, Headquarters, the four band members fought for control over their music. The producers gave in, allowing the band to play instruments on the album and contribute to the songwriting. The Monkees would continue to exert their newfound control over their music for the rest of their albums. 

In 1968, The Monkees television popularity started to wane because the general public thought of the band as a corporate creation and not a legitimate band. That year, The Monkees rebelled with the release of Head. Both the movie and the album saw the band fully embracing the counterculture. 

If you think you know everything there is to know about The Monkees, prove it with this Monkees quiz! 

What was the first single The Monkees released?
Last Train to Clarksville
Pleasant Valley Sunday
Porpoise Song
(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Last Train to Clarksville" was writted by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. They song is a protest against the Vietnam War. Throughout the song, the story of a man taking a train to an Army base and potentially serving in Vietnam is told.

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How many seasons did The Monkees television series last?
1
2
4
5
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bob Rafelson and Dan"The Monkees" created "The Monkees," which produced 58 episodes over the course of two seasons. The show's creators got the idea for the show after watching the Beatles' film "A Hard Day's Night."

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Who was nicknamed the Manchester Cowboy?
Davy Jones
Micky Dolenz
Peter Tork
Michael Nesmith
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before Davy Jones was a singer, he wanted to be jockey. As a young man, Davy Jones had British horse trainer Basil Foster, who encouraged him to leave horse racing for a career in entertainment. In 1996, Jones won a race for amateur jockeys.

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Which member of The Monkees was known for wearing a wool hat?
Davy Jones
Micky Dolenz
Peter Tork
Michael Nesmith
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

At his audition, Michael Nesmith wore a wool hat to keep his hair out of his eyes. The green wool hat would become his character's trademark. The producers of "The Monkees" liked the hat so much that they nicknamed Nesmith "wool hat," but the nickname didn't last.

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Whose mother invented Liquid Paper?
Davy Jones
Micky Dolenz
Peter Tork
Michael Nesmith
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During her time as a secretary at Texas Bank & Trust, Bette Nesmith Graham created Liquid Paper. In 1951, she made her first batch of Liquid Paper, which was called Mistake Out at the time, and started using it at work. Five years later, she decided to sell bottles of it.

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Which Monkee starred as a child on "Circus Boy?"
Davy Jones
Micky Dolenz
Peter Tork
Michael Nesmith
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Micky Dolenz played Corky on "Circus Boy." On "Circus Boy," Dolenz was credited as Micky Braddock. The series aired on NBC and ABC for a combined total of two series and 49 episodes.

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What album by The Monkees was the first not to reach number one on the Billboard charts?
More of the Monkees
Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.
The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees
Headquarters
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees" was released on April 22, 1968 and peaked at number 3 on the Billboard charts. It was also the first Monkees album not to chart in the United Kingdom.

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This movie shares its name with The Monkees sixth album.
The Odd Couple
Bullitt
Night of the Living Dead
Head
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Head" was the last album was the last to feature Peter Tork until the 1980s. In 2013, "Head" was included on "Rolling Stones" list of "The 25 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time," placing at number 25.

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Two Monkees share the same birthday. Who are they?
Michael Nesmith and Davy Jones
Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork
Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz
Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Michael Nesmith and Davy Jones were both born on Dec. 30. Nesmith was born in 1942, while Jones was born in 1946. This coincidence had an impact on the naming of the band's album "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Jones Ltd," which has the band members' astrological signs and Jones' name added on.

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After Mike Nesmith left the band, Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz released an album under The Monkees name called what?
The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees
Instant Replay
The Monkees Present
Changes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

By the time The Monkees recorded "Changes," Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork had already left the band. This left Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones to fulfill the remainder of the band's recording contract.

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Who is the famous guitarist who auditioned for The Monkees and encouraged Peter Tork to join the project?
Stephen Stills
Neil Young
George Harrison
Keith Richards
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Stephen Stills auditioned for The Monkees and almost was cast in the show. However, the producers were not sure they wanted him because Stills did not look the part. That's when Stills suggested his friend Peter Tork for the role.

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Which one of the Big 3 networks originally aired The Monkees?
NBC
ABC
CBS
Fox
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

NBC aired "The Monkees" from Sept. 12, 1966 to March 25, 1968. The show's continued popularity is due to frequent repeats, including on Saturday mornings on CBS and ABC. While on the air, the show won two Emmy Awards.

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"(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" is technically a cover song. What band originally recorded it?
The Beatles
Paul Revere & the Raiders
The Yardbirds
The Rolling Stones
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Paul Revere & the Raiders' version of "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" was released in May 1966. Five months later, The Monkees would release their version. Over a decade later, The Sex Pistols covered the song.

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The Monkees released an album in the '90s. Which album was it?
Pool It!
Justus
Good Times!
Christmas Party
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Justus," which was released in 1996, was the first album since the release of "Head" to feature all four Monkees. It also features a song called "You and I," which shares a title with a song on the album "Instant Reply."

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"The Monkees" wasn't Davy Jones' first appearance on American TV. Who hosted the show on which he debuted?
Johnny Carson
Steve Allen
Mike Wallace
Ed Sullivan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Davy Jones was 19, he appeared on "The Ed Sullivan" as part of the cast of "Oliver." He appeared as the Artful Dodger and sang "I'd Do Anything." The episode Jones appeared on, which aired on Feb. 9, 1964, was also The Beatles debut on American TV.

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For the movie "Shrek," Smash Mouth covered a Monkees song, which single was featured in the movie?
Pleasant Valley Sunday
A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
Valleri
I'm a Believer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2001, Smash Mouth's version of "I'm a Believer" was featured in "Shrek" along with the band's original song "All Star." Smash Mouth's "I'm a Believer" reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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Which famous musician appeared on "The Monkees" smashing a piano with a sledgehammer as a performance piece?
Ray Charles
Liberace
Freddie Mercury
Stevie Wonder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Liberace appeared in the 1967 episode called "Art for Monkees' Sake." His brief appearance takes place in an art museum as part of a concert Michael Nesmith walks in on. The majority of this Monkees' episode revolves around Peter Tork's ability to copy art and the shenanigans the band gets up to.

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What is Micky Dolenz's legal first name?
George
Robert
Stephen
James
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Micky Dolenz was born George Michael Dolenz Jr. He's the son of George Dolenz, who was a leading man under contract to RKO pictures. At the time time the elder Dolenz was at RKO, Howard Hughes was in charge of the studio.

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One of The Monkees was in a band called the Shoe Suede Blues. Who is it?
Davy Jones
Micky Dolenz
Peter Tork
Mike Nesmith
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From 2007 to 2018, Peter Tork released four albums with Shoe Suede Blues. In order of their release, the albums were called "Saved By the Blues," "Cambria Hotel," "Step By Step" and "Relax Your Mind."

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Not including "Christmas Party," how many studio albums have The Monkees released as of 2019?
5
7
9
13
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From 1966 to 2016, the albums are "The Monkees," "More of the Monkees," "Headquarters," "Pisces," "Aquarius," "Capricorn & Jones Ltd.," "The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees," "Head," "Instant Replay," "The Monkees Present," "Changes," "Pool It!," "Justus" and "Good Times!"

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What was the name of The Monkees 1969 television special?
Monkee See, Monkee Die
Monkees à la Carte
33 1/3 Revolutions per Monkee
The Monkees Blow Their Minds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On April 14. 1969, NBC aired "33 1/3 Revolutions per Monkee" opposite ABC's telecast of the 41st Academy Awards. The Monkees wouldn't return to their TV antics until the 1997 comedy special "Hey, Hey, It's the Monkees."

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Who co-wrote "Head" with Bob Rafelson?
Jack Nicholson
Robert Redford
Steven Spielberg
Ron Howard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Head" was intended to be a subversive film and anti-war. The film includes news footage of General Nguyen Ngoc Loan's execution of a Viet Cong prisoner in Saigon. Many viewers, including Micky Dolenz, find "Head" confusing due to its lack of a real plot.

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Which album was the first where The Monkees had a say over its production?
Headquarters
The Monkees
Pool It!
Changes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prior to "Headquarters," Don Kirshner controlled the band. However, the band members wanted more control of their careers. Michael Nesmith was so angry at Kirshner that he punched a wall and told Kirshner that "could have been your face."

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Which Monkee missed three shoots due to a tonsillectomy?
Davy Jones
Micky Dolenz
Michael Nesmith
Peter Tork
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before he joined The Monkees, Michael Nesmith used the stage name Michael Blessing. After The Monkees, Nesmith performed as a solo artist and with First National Band. He even had is own medi company called Pacific Arts Corporation.

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"Happy Days" almost had a Monkee. Which two Monkees auditioned?
Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz
Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith
Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith
Peter Tork and Davy Jones
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Both Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith auditioned for Arthur Fonzarelli. Dolenz said that it came down to him and Henry Winkler. However, Dolenz was not cast because he was much taller than the "Happy Days" cast.

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Who was the iconic artist who had to change his name because of Davy Jones?
David Bowie
David Cassidy
David Lee Roth
David A. Stewart
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before he was David Bowie, David Jones used the stage name Davy Jones. His first single, "Liza Jane," was credited to Davie Jones and the King Bees. His third one was credited to Davy Jones and the Lower Third.

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Which mismatched artist only opened for the Monkees on seven concert dates?
Billy Joel
The Who
Janis Joplin
Jimi Hendrix
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

At the time Jimi Hendrix opened for The Monkees, he was unknown in the United States. After seeing Hendrix play, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz convinced their manager to have the Jimi Hendrix Experience join their tour.

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How many number 1 albums did The Monkees have?
1
2
4
7
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Monkees' first four albums peaked at number one on the Billboard chart. While it is commonly quoted that, in 1967, The Monkees outsold the Beatles and the Rolling Stones combined, that is not true. Michael Nesmith made up the fact.

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In the 1980s, Columbia Pictures Television created the "New Monkees." How many episodes were made?
1
5
13
26
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The New Monkees" lasted one season in 1987. The show was intended to capitalize on "The Monkees" 1980s popularity. The show starred Larry Saltis, Jared Chandler, Marty Ross and Dino Kovas.

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On an episode of "The Brady Bunch," Davy Jones appeared as a date for which Brady girl?
Carol Brady
Cindy Brady
Jan Brady
Marcia Brady
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the season three episode "Getting Davy Jones," Jones performs in a music studio and then takes Marcia to the prom. On the show, he sang his song "Girl." In the 1995 movie, "The Brady Bunch Movie," Jones would sing the song again, but this time with a grunge influence.

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Originally, the producers of "The Monkees" wanted to cast an existing act. Which one were they actively courting?
The Beatles
The Who
The Lovin' Spoonful
The Rolling Stones
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The producers of the television series that would later become "The Monkees" entertained the notion of hiring The Lovin' Spoonful for the series. However, the plan fell through due to a conflict over song publishing rights.

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Mike Nesmith is credited for coming up with the idea for which network?
MTV
CMT
TNT
TLC
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Michael Nesmith came up with the idea of a music video program. He created "Elephant Parts," which would win the first Grammy Award for Music Video. The idea would eventually turn into Nickelodeon's "PopClips" and eventually morph into MTV.

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Which "Star Trek" character was inspired by Davy Jones?
Kirk
Spock
Scotty
Chekov
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pavel Chekov has a moptop haircut because "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry was looking for someone who appealed to the same demographic as Davy Jones. Walter Koenig, Chekov's actor, said that the character was successful in this feat because he received fan mail from 8- to 12-year-olds.

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Which songwriting duo did Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz team up with for one album in the 1970s?
Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
Hall and Oats
Sonny and Cher
The Carpenters
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1976, Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones created Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart. The song released one album, which was eponymous. The band's name is a result of being legally prohibited from using The Monkees as a name.

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The second season had a Peter Tork song as its closing theme. What was the song?
Your Auntie Grizelda
Shades of Gray
Can You Dig It
For Pete's Sake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While Peter Tork wrote "For Pete's Sake," he did not name the song. When Tork brought the song to the studio, Michael Nesmith decided on the name. The song ended up as the second season theme song because of producer Bob Rafelson.

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Wiki Commons by Entertainment International