VIA PRESS RELEASE | The Monkees—the 1966 debut that launched a global pop culture phenomenon—turns 60 with a new anniversary collection arriving October 30 from Rhino.
The Monkees (60th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) is available to pre-order now at Rhino.com. Produced by Monkees historian Andrew Sandoval, the LP/3CD set pairs the original album’s stereo mix on vinyl with a trio of CDs packed with the album’s mono mix, alternate takes, backing tracks, and broadcast-exclusive mixes from the Emmy-winning series.
Released in October 1966, The Monkees reshaped the pop landscape and helped make Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork superstars overnight.
Driven by the runaway success of the band’s #1 debut single, “Last Train To Clarksville,” the album skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard album chart, where it remained for 13 consecutive weeks on its way to quintuple-platinum certification. The album is loaded with classic tunes by legendary songwriting teams like Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, as well as Gerry Goffin and Carole King.
The anniversary collection delivers a rich behind-the-scenes look at this historic album with dozens of rare recordings. Highlights include the TV mix of “Take A Giant Step,” an alternate take of Nesmith’s “Papa Gene’s Blues,” a rehearsal for “I Wanna Be Free,” plus backing tracks for album favorites like “(Theme From) The Monkees.” The set also gathers vintage promos and the group’s rare Kellogg’s jingle.
Reflecting on the album six decades later in the set’s new liner notes, Dolenz—who is currently celebrating the milestone on his 60 Years of the Monkees tour—recalls the magic behind the whirlwind era.
“For all the madness of that time, there was joy in it. We were part of something that none of us could fully understand while it was happening. The show was unlike anything else on television, and the music was reaching people in a way that was immediate and powerful. Fans weren’t analyzing the machinery behind it. They were listening. They were singing along. They were making the songs part of their lives. That is the greatest gift of it all.”
