lynne

My brother and I were having our usual argument about what we were going to watch on T.V.  You see this new show was about to begin and from the look of the photos in the T.V. Times it was going to be yet another stupid comedy and a cowboy one at that.  Well as usual my brother won the argument and mum allowed him to have the show on, thank goodness because it was none other than The Monkees.  Boy I was hooked from the first few minutes and have not looked back since.  That photos, well it does not seem so bad now either. 

I was just thirteen and with four gorgeous guys to choose from I was spoilt for choice. J  My affections hovered between Micky and Davy until I discovered that Micky was none other then ‘Corky’ from ‘Circus Boy’.  I had already fallen for him years before.  You see I was into animals in a big way so ‘Lassie’ ‘Champion The Wonder Horse’ and ‘Circus Boy’ was compulsory viewing for me. 

I did not have much money but what I did get went on Monkees Monthlies, singles and any magazine that I could get hold of that contained articles and pictures of the Monkees.  I even joined the fan club.  I am afraid I only had the first two LPs which I was given as Christmas presents back then.  

My friends at school had all fallen for the guys too so we spent every minute we could chatting about the guys, looking at our merchandise and listening to the music.  As far as we were concerned it was Monkees, Monkees and more Monkees, we could not get enough.  We wanted this to go on and on forever.

I can’t tell you how upset I was when Peter announced that he was leaving the group but at the same time I was pleased that it was not Micky.  After the TV show was cancelled and the guys stopped appearing in the magazines they sort of just faded out of my life.  L

The years past bringing with it a husband and children but the Monkees were never really fair away.  Every now and again the old scrape books and monthlies would come out for a trip down memory lane along with the singles and LPs.  I watched Metal Micky with my son every Saturday and was pleased when ever one of the guys got a mention on the TV or in women’s magazines and in the newspaper.  Not that that happened often.

Then 1989 arrived along with it the news that Micky, David and Peter were going to tour Britain and would actually be in my hometown.  I could not believe it, my group back together again and I was actually going to be able to see them perform ‘live’.  Wow!!!  My son who was 13 years old at the time came with me.  He enjoyed the concert almost as much as I did and was very impressed with the rap number they did.  I was walking on air for weeks after the show.   I joined the British fan club Band 6 and started writing to a American fan who sent me photos of Micky and Peter that she taken at various gigs they had done separately during the early 1990s. 

The years rolled by and January 1997 arrived with it the news that all for Monkees, yes all four of them would be in Britain in March touring for a month.  I could not believe my luck another chance to see the Monkees but even better this time because Mike was joining them.  This time I had to go to a different town to see the guys and of course I was accompanied by my son who had reached the grant old age of 21.  He was convinced that as the guys were now to old to be able to put on a long and lively performance but I knew they could and would.   They show was full of fun and every bit as brilliant as I knew it would be.  I could not believe it when the concert came to an end.  I wanted it to go on and on forever.  

  By now I am working so can afford to buy Monkee merchandise so I bought lots of CDS finally able to hear songs I have never heard before.  A cascade of music that kept coming and coming.  J  Then there is the videos,  a DVD, a CD rom, the books and real photos, far better then having to cut out pictures from magazines.  Most of this was unimaginable back in the sixties. 

I started writing to Barbara who is my partner in crime on this web page and according to our families we are totally obsessed, well I would use the word passionate myself.  We have been on a Monkee adventure or two and are looking forward to the next one that is coming soon. 

To My Guys

Cliff Richard, Herman’s Hermits and

 The Beatles were there, but not for me,

This girl who had just entered her teens,

Was finding it hard to believe,

That a star would capture her heart and soul,

Then the last train to Clarksville arrived,

Turning me into a daydream believer,

Sometime in the morning I knew,

That my loyalty would only be for you,

Being a star collector was not for me.

Anytime, anyplace, anywhere I would

Listen to the band, dance on and share my kicks with you,

Good clean fan is what you are all about,

Making it nice to be with you,

Never enough of you would there be,

But I was true to you even when you wanted to be free.

In no time at all the years flow by but,

You and I remained together,

I knew that we were made for each other,

I am a woman now but the girl I thought I had left behind me,

Is here to stay and is still a believer,

Back then, and now I know what I am doing hanging round,

Perhaps one day I will be your sunny girlfriend,

Laughing, as we go along.

You have come and you have gone,

Only to return once again to bring gladness to my heart,

My love for you will last my whole life through,

I hope that one day you will realise,

That there will always be a special place for you,

Deep within my secret heart.

Created by Lynne Barber.