In the years since their original disbanding, the group has reunited in various incarnations, mostly involving Dolenz, Tork and Jones, but not Nesmith. The first reunion began in 1986 and at first featured only Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork. Davy Jones joined the others and a new album was released before they split again in 1989.
The next regrouping took place between 1993 and 1997 and featured a new album that included the particpation of all four members. A further reunion between 2001 and 2002, was followed by another reunion in 2011 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the television show. This reunion was cut short before 2011 had ended due to scheduling problems with the anniversary tour.
The unexpected death of Davy Jones at the beginning of 2012 prompted the most recent reunion tour, this time featuring Dolenz, Tork and Nesmith.
Created by producers of a TV series to be an American Beatles, the antics of the Monkees band members on the television series were very reminscent of Beatles' antics in films like 'Help' and 'Hard Day's Night'. Indeed, in songs like 'Forget that Girl...', the band and even the lead singer could sound just like the Beatles. With songs provided by Don Kirshner from such writers as Neil Diamond and Carole King, among others, the Monkees were assured of pop success. However, in the beginning, the four group members were hired only as actors to front the band and to provide the vocals whilst studio musicians recorded the backing music. These recordings were provided by Kirshner. Things changed though after the success of the single Last Train to Clarksville, the first hit, leading to demands that the band play live gigs. Having learned to play the music, the band became angry when the second LP was recorded (by Kirshner) by studio musicians, without their knowledge or musical input. They therefore demanded and obtained control of the music.
Nesmith who revealed that the band did not perform on their records was also instrumental in getting Don Kirshner sacked. the next album Headquarters was recorded by The Monkees alone, using hand picked producer Chip Douglas. While not as successful as their first two albums it made it to number one, only to be replaced a week later by The Beatles' Sgt Pepper album. The Monkees eventually settled on a formula of using their own talents as well as those of studio musicians. After two seasons the network and the group could not reach agreement on the format of a third season and the show was canceled even though the ratings were still high. A feature film named Head co-written by The Monkees, Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson) followed.
Peter Tork was the first to leave the band, in 1968, during 1969 The TV show went into Saturday morning reruns and the three remaining Monkees recorded two more albums. in 1969 Nesmith departed and began a serious foray into merging country and rock music. He also eventually developed a format that became MTV. By the way his mother invented a product called Liquid Paper, sold it to the Gillette Company for $47 million dollars then died a year later leaving the money to her only son. The remaining two Monkees Dolenz and Jones recorded one last album named Changes in late 1969.
There has, however, been a resurgent interest in The Monkees' music Rhino Records has been instrumental in restoring all their albums, adding bonus tracks, and equipping them with complementary liner notes and stories.
Davy Jones died on February 29, 2012 in Indiantown, Florida.
Peter Tork died on February 21, 2019, at his home in Mansfield, Connecticut.
Michael Nesmith died on December 10, 2021, in Carmel Valley, California.
DISCOGRAPHY (from www.themonkees.net):
The Monkees (1966)
More of The Monkees (1967)
Headquarters (1967)
Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd. (1967)
The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees (1968)
Head (1968)
Instant Replay (1969)
The Monkees Present (1969)
Changes (1970)
Then & Now...The Best of the Monkees (1986)
Pool It! (1987)
Live 1967 (1987)
Justus (1996)
Good Times! (2016)
Zilch
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mister Dobalena, Mister Bob Dobalena
Mister Dobalena, Mister Bob Dobalena
Mister Dobalena, Mister Bob Dobalena
Mister Dobalena, Mister Bob Dobalena
Zilch!
China Clipper calling Alameda
China Clipper calling Alameda
China Clipper calling Alameda
Zilch!
Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense.
Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense.
Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense.
Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense.
Zilch!
It is of my opinion that the people are intending.
It is of my opinion that the people are intending.
It is of my opinion that the people are intending.
It is of my opinion that the people are intending.
The Monkees’ song Zilch features nonsensical lyrics that almost seem like a stream of consciousness, likely meant to reflect the psychedelic culture of the time. The repetition of phrases such as “Mister Dobalena, Mister Bob Dobalena” and “China Clipper calling Alameda” create a sense of confusion and disorientation. These phrases could also reflect the rapid pace of technological advancements during the 1960s and the fear of a loss of individual identity and societal values.
The line “Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense” could be interpreted as a commentary on the societal upheaval of the time and the need for self-preservation. The line is repeated, perhaps to reflect the idea that people were repeating mantras to protect themselves from the instability of the changing cultural and political landscape. The final repetition of “It is of my opinion that the people are intending” further represents uncertain times and a need for individuals to find their place in society.
Overall, Zilch could be seen as a commentary on the confusion and uncertainty of the 1960s counterculture, and the need for individuals to find their own way in an ever-changing society.
Line by Line Meaning
Zilch!
Complete absence or nothing.
Mister Dobalena, Mister Bob Dobalena
Mister Dobalena, Mister Bob Dobalena
Mister Dobalena, Mister Bob Dobalena
Mister Dobalena, Mister Bob Dobalena
Repetitive nonsensical words/phrases indicating the lack of anything meaningful to say or do.
China Clipper calling Alameda
China Clipper calling Alameda
China Clipper calling Alameda
China Clipper calling Alameda
Repetitive meaningless phrases similar to radio communications.
Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense.
Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense.
Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense.
Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense.
Ignoring details, it is claimed that self-defense is the only option available.
It is of my opinion that the people are intending.
It is of my opinion that the people are intending.
It is of my opinion that the people are intending.
It is of my opinion that the people are intending.
A vague statement about people's intentions and the artist's opinion on the matter.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID JONES, MICHAEL NESMITH, MICKY DOLENZ, PETER TORK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gammaraider
Someone should make a rap song of this
@spitter7657
Nioce
@skeeterfromsouthpark1414
Yeah.... maybe name is mistabobdobalina
@HellTownBob
Could be catchy
@mos2.energy429
Lol
@flexmann2148
https://youtu.be/qFqov8a9iL4 here it is. From 1993.
@MarkOrwoll
Davey Jones's phrase ("China Clipper calling Alameda") comes from the 1936 Pat O'Brien-Humphrey Bogart film "China Clipper," in which the giant airplane piloted by Bogart tries to stay in touch with its home-base airport in Alameda (Bay Area), California, on a frequent basis as it flies across the Pacific Ocean. I just figured it out when I watch the movie just now, haha! As the radio engineer in the movie kept saying, "China Clipper calling Alameda," I found myself saying "Mr. Dobalina, Mr. Bob Dobalina."
@callicordova4066
Now I've got to see the movie. Double treat since I like Bogart, too.
@greggdilligaffshelly
I had a Monkees album with Zilch and last heard it as an 8 or 9 yr old in late 1960s. Something about it stuck with me.
Now 50 yrs later I google the first 5 words and am rewarded with something I haven't heard in half a century, "I'M AWESTRUCK "
@eastern11
U 2 ? Crazy, right?