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The Monkees had been together for less than a year. Davy Jones was just 21 and Micky was 22 - but they were already caught in a national controversy. Were they only actors, pretending to be a band without playing their own instruments? For their third album in 1967, they had something to prove.

In the studio, Michael Nesmith took over the six-string guitar, while Peter Tork supplied bass and keyboard (and even a five-string banjo). Michael even wrote the cello and horn parts himself, according to one biographer, even though he couldn't write music. (Michael would hum the melody to Peter, who would transcribe it into musical notes.) Michael wrote three of the songs himself, with Peter co-authoring another song called "For Pete's Sake. Micky contributed another song, and handled all of the drumming, while even Davy is credited with playing the rhythm instruments. "We aren't the only musicians on this album," reads the back cover, "but the occasional extra bass or horn player played under our direction, so that this is all ours."

In fact, that bass player was Chip Douglas, who had previously played with "The Turtles." With this album, called "Headquarters," he became the Monkees new producer. Douglas went on to produce their biggest hits, including "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and "Daydream Believer." None of the songs he produced for Headquarters were released as singles, but Douglas could still point to other accomplishments. The album went to #1, sold 2 million copies, and was only knocked off when the Beatles released "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." ("Headquarters" remained in the #2 slot for another 11 weeks.)

Even without its unique history, the album stands out for some great songs. In "Shades of Grey," Peter and Davy sing about missing their childhood innocence, while "Early Morning Blues and Greens" offers a poem about a lonely morning. But "No Time" is a fast-rocking number that the Monkees still perform when they tour, and "Randy Scouse Git" is Micky's surreal description of the time he met the Beatles. The album's most famous track is probably "For Pete's Sake," which became the closing theme song for the band's TV show. ("In this generation, we will make the world shine.")

But on "Headquarters," it's just one song in a very special mix.

Learn more about this author, Moe Zilla.
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