Gretsch Guitars debut in Monkees Movie

“DAYDREAM BELIEVERS: THE MONKEES STORY,” Features Gretsch Guitars For Authentic Story Reproduction

Story by UEC

Monkees The Gretsch Company provided musical instruments to be used in the new movie “Daydream Believers: The Monkees Story,” to air on VH-1 Wednesday, June 28, at 9:00 PM, ET/PT. The original Monkees Series aired on television in the mid sixties and featured custom Gretsch Guitars and Drums. For authentic appearance in the new movie, the producers requested Gretsch to provide instruments similar to those originally used.

The Story – Four young actors beat out hundreds of others to be cast as “The Monkees” for a new TV show based on a fictional rock band. The show becomes a smash hit, and The Monkees ride the crest of their manufactured hit singles to become international sensations – until they start believing that they’re the real thing.

Monkees The VH1 Original Movie, “Daydream Believers: The Monkees Story”, which premieres Wednesday, June 28, at 9:00 PM, ET/PT, tells the dramatic true story of the four unknowns who were cast in the phenomenally popular 1960s TV series and the problems that eventually arise when they insist on playing their own instruments and writing their own songs. The film stars George Stanchev as Davy Jones, Jeff Geddis as Mike Nesmith, L.B. Fisher (“Felicity”) as Peter Tork, and Aaron Lohr (“D3: The Mighty Ducks”) as Micky Dolenz. Colin Ferguson and Wallace Langham (“Veronica’s Closet,” “The Larry Sanders Show”) also star.

Synopsis:

Hollywood 1965 – Young TV producer Van Foreman has an idea for a new series. “The Monkees” will follow the adventures of a rock group, who will make real records to sell behind the TV show. Reigning hitmaker Don Kirshner signs on to provide can’t-miss pop songs for a band made up of four young actors chosen at an open audition: Tall, lanky Texas guitarist Mike Nesmith, former child actor Micky Dolenz, aspiring musician Peter Tork and Broadway veteran Davy Jones.

Monkees The four freshly minted recruits begin rehearsals, shoot their pilot and head into the studio to lay down vocal tracks on tunes written by Kirshner’s incredible stable of talent – Carole King, Neil Diamond, Carole Bayer and Neil Sedaka. Meanwhile, Mike, Davy, Micky and Peter begin to mesh both on-screen and off, and on September 12, 1966, “The Monkees” are born. The NBC show is an instant smash, and within two weeks, The Monkees’ debut single, “Last Train to Clarksville,” rockets to the top of the charts.

But as the fan frenzy gets underway, Mike becomes upset with a review that castigates the band for not playing their own instruments as they do in the TV show. “I said it at the beginning, didn’t I?,” he rails. “We should play our own instruments, I said that!”

Peter agrees, but Micky and Davy are comfortable enough in their roles as actors only. Nevertheless, the four Monkees book a live concert and dive into intensive rehearsals. Despite some shakiness, their debut gig – in faraway Hawaii – is a success.

MonkeesAnd while the hits continue to sell in the millions all over the world, a rebellion starts to brew. The band wants to play on their records, even though Davy is worried: “What if we blow it?”

Foreman gives the band their shot at recording, sparking a rift with Kirshner. The Monkees record the album “Headquarters,” win an Emmy for the TV show, and are sitting on top of the world. Mike, Davy, Micky and Peter are finally a team. And then the inevitable cracks begin to show.

Mike is blown away when he hears The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” and becomes more militant in his pursuit of musical integrity. Even the peace-loving Peter comes to blows with Davy. And Foreman is unhappy about his show’s reliance on formula as the series cranks up for its third season. The producer and his pal, a young actor named Jack Nicholson, hatch a plan to film a big-screen movie with The Monkees. The move proves fatal, however, as angry network executives cancel the TV series — marking the beginning of the end for The Monkees.