924 The Monkees “Last Train to Clarksville” 1966

“Open auditions were held for the four Monkees in order to attract ‘real’ people for the sake of verisimilitude on the level of personae—the Beatles weren’t actors; the Monkees had to be ‘real’ also. The ad in Variety specified that what was sought was a type known to congregate at a particular after-hours hipster hangout in LA: ‘MADNESS!! Auditions—folk & roll musicians-singers for acting roles in new TV series. Running parts for 4 insane boys, age 17-21. Want spirited Ben Frank’s types. Have courage to work. Must come down [from your ‘drug trip’?] for interview’” (Matthew Stahl, Popular Music, Oct. 2002). 

The Monkees “Last Train to Clarksville”