Music

Hey, Hey Let Them In: 10 Reasons The Monkees Should Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Twelve performers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. The Monkees weren't one of them. TIME makes a case for the pop-rock group that changed music forever — one sitcom episode at a time

Reason No. 1: Their Chart Success

By Joseph McCombsApril 17, 20120

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

The numbers speak for themselves: three No. 1 singles, six Top 10s, 12 Top 40s — 10 of which made it into the Top 20 — and a total of 20 Hot 100 singles. On the album charts, the Monkees were equally impressive, with four No. 1 LPs, including a self-titled debut whose 13 weeks at No. 1 remained a record for first releases until Men at Work’s Business as Usual in 1982. The band’s Billboard numbers compare very favorably to those of the recently inducted Blondie, which scored four No. 1 wins amid its eight Top 40 entries in a similar time span.

Also, consider the time frame of those hits: 1967 is universally considered one of rock’s most vital and inspired years. And competing with such legendary albums as Sgt. Pepper, Surrealistic Pillow, The Doors, The Who Sell Out, Are You Experienced? and Forever Changes, not to mention with singles-oriented artists at their creative peaks like the Turtles and the Four Tops, the Monkees more than held their own.

Next Reason No. 2: The Quality of Their Songs, Even Those That Weren’t Hits

Full List

Monkees Hall of Fame

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6 comments

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AdrianaMarieGrenot

because they rock!!:) I love the monkees they have a gift when it comes to music they should be in the rock and hall of fame please!!!!!:):)

TomHolste

Great article, and I completely agree!

One correction: "Sugar, Sugar" was never actually offered to the Monkees. That's a common myth that appeared in many biographies, but Monkees archivist Andrew Sandoval has determined that the song hadn't even been written by then! Instead, there was a song in 1967 called "Sugar Man" which was more likely the song that Don Kirshner offered them.

JoyBitterman-Gandolfini

Why shouldn't the Monkees be added into the Hall of Fame? They were at a changing point of our lives, with Viet Nam and soldiers coming back to homes they found familiar and changed. We went thru hell during the 70's and music reminded us who we were and what we felt. Last train to Clarksville was for all those small town boys, coming home from war, hoping that their lives will be the same and that she would be there for him. Cheer Up sleepy Jean, was for all those young ladies who dreamt of the day being with the one she loved and building a life, with hope to have one. Even Randy Scouce Skit had it's own meaning, of the insanity that was around us, the uncertainty what's ahead of us and how we will react when we are faced with it all. The Monkees brought all that to us in music, whether they wrote it or not, they delivered it to the masses and the fans cheered them and we're still cheering for them. Let the Monkees in!

ohozzie

1 Like

The criteria that the Rock and Roll HOF says they operate under is not their actual criteria. They look for people to induct who will bring crowds to the Hall of Fame itself. And it's the Gospel according to Jan Werner. It reflects who he likes and does not like. And he does not like the Monkees. That's fine, but then don't pretend to speak for all of Rock and Roll. It's HIS hall of fame, not Rock and Roll's.

RandyBurbach

1 Like

#6 & #3 are weak - and #6 ignores things like them inventing the multi-media concert. #4 is the best and - Hey! no Nesmith's songs? It is really a joke - the Rock and Roll Hall of People Jann Wenner likes.

SteveBenger

I do not see why they are not in the hall of fame.