<< There have been multiple strings on this site about everyone's love of the Monkees. But what were their first two or so CD's but blatant commercial cash ins (if not rip offs) of the Beatles? Let's give the kids A Hard Day's Night every week and put out albums to promote the show. The studio/Kirshner heard Paperback Writer, knew they needed a song that began with a riff, and came back with Pleasant Valley Sunday. Many early Monkees tunes are great songs that have stood the test of time (at least in groups like this) but let's face it- money was driving that enterprise. >> actually, it was none other than Quiet Beatle George's "I Want To Tell You" that inspired the "P.V. Sunday" riff you speak of, according to no less an authority than then Monkee producer Chip Douglas. (see Page 103 of Harold Bronson's "Hey, Hey, We're The Monkees" book for the whole riff-raffin' story). Now I believe Greg Sager has already expertly addressed/corrected most of your remaining (Pre-) Fab Four points, Rob, but As for that other age-old Great Debate (Art vs. Commerce), SOME Answers may indeed be Here...... http://www.bubblegum-music.com/monkees Gary "and << Rock and roll is supposed to be fun (which was assassinated by the grunge movement as I've stated before). >> ?? I thought the guilty, fun-sucking party here, Jaimie, was none other than Sgt. Pepper ;-) " Pig ________________________________________________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.