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They Made a Monkee Out of Me
THE ONLY AUTHORIZED STORY OF THE MONKEES
THE 60’S PHENOMENON THAT BECAME AN 80’S PHENOMALY*
“There are autobiographies…and there are ought-to-buy…ographies. This is definitely the best ography I personally can ever remember writing.” –David Jones–
“Fascinating…controversial…hilarious…yet subtly poignant, somehow. As the authoritative account of the entire Monkees phenomenon–it is unparallelled. As the story of my daddy’s extraordinary life–I found it useful reading.” –Jessica Jones– (age 5)
“I haven’t read it yet.” –Peter Tork–
“I don’t want to talk about The Monkees.” –Mike Nesmith–
“Hey, isn’t that errr…?” –Micky Dolenz–
• CONTAINS OVER TWO MILLION PHOTOS! – (he’s lying–Ed.)
• DOZENS of them NEVER BEFORE PRINTED IN ENGLISH – (that bit’s true.)
THE 60’S PHENOMENON THAT BECAME AN 80’S PHENOMALY*
“There are autobiographies…and there are ought-to-buy…ographies. This is definitely the best ography I personally can ever remember writing.” –David Jones–
“Fascinating…controversial…hilarious…yet subtly poignant, somehow. As the authoritative account of the entire Monkees phenomenon–it is unparallelled. As the story of my daddy’s extraordinary life–I found it useful reading.” –Jessica Jones– (age 5)
“I haven’t read it yet.” –Peter Tork–
“I don’t want to talk about The Monkees.” –Mike Nesmith–
“Hey, isn’t that errr…?” –Micky Dolenz–
• CONTAINS OVER TWO MILLION PHOTOS! – (he’s lying–Ed.)
• DOZENS of them NEVER BEFORE PRINTED IN ENGLISH – (that bit’s true.)
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 4, 2019
As others have said, this book is really about Davy, not the Monkees as a whole, so unless you are a diehard Davy fan, this probably is not your book. I suppose not including much about the Monkees might have been a good thing since I dislike the practice of people writing bios and trashing the people around them (the exception was Holly Madison painting an unflattering portrait of Hugh Hefner; Davy mentions Playboy a few times also, sort of in a neutral way and actually had a Playboy connection, ie, his second wife had worked for the organization), although there must have been a few more harmless, funny/interesting stories that Davy could have shared. I did like that Davy at the end of the book states that he tried to write chapters on each of the other Monkees, but they just did not feel right, so he omitted them. There are lots of Davy-centric photos and correspondence throughout the book, which again is great if you are a Davy fan.
I loved the show, the Monkees, and the music more than words can say, as everyone else did, but I have been disappointed to learn what all the guys were like in their real lives. Davy often comes across in the book as kind of a selfish and inappropriate jerk, quite honestly. It does not seem all that surprising, although it is sad, that the Monkees seemed to have had difficult relationships amongst themselves. Worst of all, though, is learning (through various sources) that none of the Monkees seems to have been a particularly outstanding husband or dad. But that makes sense, I guess, since they were part of a movement that sought (and largely succeeded) in undermining and overturning traditional mores. So...I love them as a collective entity, but to learn more about them as people has been sort of heartbreaking and unsettling. This book was published in 1987, so maybe the effects of the “revolution” were not as clear at that time as they are now and unfortunately Davy has passed away (RIP). Davy does say once in the book that drugs are bad, so I guess there is that. But it would be great if some of the “love is understanding” Peter Pans who are still alive today were to grow up and acknowledge that they hardly “made the world shine.” There has been incalculable wreckage from the acceptance of drugs, divorce, out of wedlock births, etc, that they helped to produce. On a related note, the show was made before pc was a thing and there is lots in the shows that today would be seriously frowned upon by the “woke.” I wonder if the pc mob will come at some point for the Monkees. I hope not, but in some ways, it would only be fitting since they helped to create the monster.
I loved the show, the Monkees, and the music more than words can say, as everyone else did, but I have been disappointed to learn what all the guys were like in their real lives. Davy often comes across in the book as kind of a selfish and inappropriate jerk, quite honestly. It does not seem all that surprising, although it is sad, that the Monkees seemed to have had difficult relationships amongst themselves. Worst of all, though, is learning (through various sources) that none of the Monkees seems to have been a particularly outstanding husband or dad. But that makes sense, I guess, since they were part of a movement that sought (and largely succeeded) in undermining and overturning traditional mores. So...I love them as a collective entity, but to learn more about them as people has been sort of heartbreaking and unsettling. This book was published in 1987, so maybe the effects of the “revolution” were not as clear at that time as they are now and unfortunately Davy has passed away (RIP). Davy does say once in the book that drugs are bad, so I guess there is that. But it would be great if some of the “love is understanding” Peter Pans who are still alive today were to grow up and acknowledge that they hardly “made the world shine.” There has been incalculable wreckage from the acceptance of drugs, divorce, out of wedlock births, etc, that they helped to produce. On a related note, the show was made before pc was a thing and there is lots in the shows that today would be seriously frowned upon by the “woke.” I wonder if the pc mob will come at some point for the Monkees. I hope not, but in some ways, it would only be fitting since they helped to create the monster.
June 24, 2014
Mine is a signed copy from the man who made women/girls of all ages swoon. Everybody is just a dork on the inside.
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February 8, 2013Absolutely required reading for a girl who would have climbed mountains and braved blizzards to be in front of the television at 7:30 on Monday evenings...
March 25, 2022
This is self-published, print-on-demand, and it shows. But even so, there are parts that are absolutely charming and some that are downright moving. Davy was an entertainer through and through and he never forgot that. It's sad to read about his first failed marriage and the crazy stuff he got up to in his younger years, but that's how show business is and was for many people.
It only goes up to 1986. You'll have to read other Monkees books to read about the rest of his life. I was lucky enough to see him in his last appearance with Peter and Micky onstage in 2011; you just never know when these folks will leave us. Rest in peace, Davy, and thanks for the smiles.
It only goes up to 1986. You'll have to read other Monkees books to read about the rest of his life. I was lucky enough to see him in his last appearance with Peter and Micky onstage in 2011; you just never know when these folks will leave us. Rest in peace, Davy, and thanks for the smiles.
June 17, 2018
i'm glad I finally got a chance to read it - and see the pictures. but it wasn't the autobiography I was expecting. it was a bit hard to follow at times. but it felt like a conversation most of the time. even though he didn't go into details about The Monkees days as expected, I felt that he did discuss that portion of his life. Davy was always my favorite. and I've been a fan since I was about 3 years old, thanks to the tv show re runs.
August 22, 2007
He seems bitter.
April 29, 2024
I just know he was having a cheeky chuckle writing this
May 17, 2020
In the summer of 1986, I, like many of my generation, became obsessed with the Monkees when MTV began rerunning the series. My rural cable system didn't have MTV, but the local NBC channel was showing the reruns that summer as well, and I was hooked. This book was written the following year, after three of the Monkees (minus the recalcitrant Michael Nesmith) had a successful 20th anniversary reunion tour.
First, the amusing part. This book was written on an Apple computer (an eighties Apple computer) and it looks like it. There's a list of all the eighties computer programs they used and wanted to credit, and I'm sure it was state-of-the-art then, but now it's looks about as classy as your high school newspaper. Your 1986 high school newspaper. Precious.
Reading this 33 years later, I can't quit thinking about how weird it must have been to be Davy Jones, or any of the Monkees. They would all be, in 1986, ten years or so younger than I am now, emerging into huge popularity after over 15 years of being considered "washed up" (with the possible exception of Nesmith, who had of course a successful solo career and invented music videos--shut up, he did, as far as I'm concerned). It's funny to see them mulleted and padded shouldered in their eighties garb, and think back to how besotted I was with them then, and how strange and wonderful it must have been to be suddenly mega-famous again in early middle age.
Back to the book: Davy is charming and arrogant, and cheesy as all hell. It's not hard to read into what he keeps on the surface. He sounds like a shitty husband and distant dad. There seems to be thinly veiled hostility toward Micky Dolenz, surprising since they toured together for years after this. He doesn't seem to harbor the same resentment for Nesmith, and yet Nesmith began touring with Dolenz and Peter Tork (and then just Dolenz when Tork became ill and died) once Davy was gone. One gets the impression that Davy was the antagonist. Nothing in this book would lead me to think otherwise.
First, the amusing part. This book was written on an Apple computer (an eighties Apple computer) and it looks like it. There's a list of all the eighties computer programs they used and wanted to credit, and I'm sure it was state-of-the-art then, but now it's looks about as classy as your high school newspaper. Your 1986 high school newspaper. Precious.
Reading this 33 years later, I can't quit thinking about how weird it must have been to be Davy Jones, or any of the Monkees. They would all be, in 1986, ten years or so younger than I am now, emerging into huge popularity after over 15 years of being considered "washed up" (with the possible exception of Nesmith, who had of course a successful solo career and invented music videos--shut up, he did, as far as I'm concerned). It's funny to see them mulleted and padded shouldered in their eighties garb, and think back to how besotted I was with them then, and how strange and wonderful it must have been to be suddenly mega-famous again in early middle age.
Back to the book: Davy is charming and arrogant, and cheesy as all hell. It's not hard to read into what he keeps on the surface. He sounds like a shitty husband and distant dad. There seems to be thinly veiled hostility toward Micky Dolenz, surprising since they toured together for years after this. He doesn't seem to harbor the same resentment for Nesmith, and yet Nesmith began touring with Dolenz and Peter Tork (and then just Dolenz when Tork became ill and died) once Davy was gone. One gets the impression that Davy was the antagonist. Nothing in this book would lead me to think otherwise.
May 7, 2025
This British lad bro!!! Focuses mainly on his own life and monkee business not a lot of lore on the monkee members but he said near the end he wanted to keep that private so I respect! It was interesting to learn about his life and random stories!! Theater kid, the fight with Peter, divorce, drinking he talks about it 😭 but also crazy that he wrote this on a Macintosh!! I loved the amount of pictures don’t think I’ve seen an autobiography structured like that it was cool!! Monkees are ze craziest peoples !!
February 16, 2020
This is a must-read for Monkees fans (whether you're a Davy fan or not). It is interesting to hear various viewpoints on the same events and also to get insights into his personality. Plenty of photos, though all black and white copies.
February 11, 2019
This was a slightly disappointing read, not so much for being a little short on detail, though there was plenty, but because of the tone which was on the narky side and also because of the shifting about between Dacy Jones' input and commentary by his collaborator. I think a biography qould have read better and been a more coherent publication.Still, all these years on, I still like the Monkees and its members.
December 22, 2021
Very interesting!
I really enjoyed this book. Told a lot about Davy that
I never knew. He had a hard go of it, but regardless
he was still a great performer! I love his voice, all his
songs, and still listen to my Monkee cd's regularly.
Now we only have one Monkee left and Mike, Davy,
and Peter are making music in Heaven. I'll always
love the Monkees!!!
I really enjoyed this book. Told a lot about Davy that
I never knew. He had a hard go of it, but regardless
he was still a great performer! I love his voice, all his
songs, and still listen to my Monkee cd's regularly.
Now we only have one Monkee left and Mike, Davy,
and Peter are making music in Heaven. I'll always
love the Monkees!!!
June 1, 2023
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Davy himself. It turned out to be an abridged version, however, which seemed to detract from the book and to make for slightly disjointed reading. Despite this, I was glad to listen to it, because I love Davy and the other Monkees TONS. In the future, I may revisit it in its unabridged print book format.
March 17, 2015
It was okay. I was a little disappointed in the content. Sometimes I couldn't tell who was writing at a particular point.
April 6, 2016
Let me start by saying I am a huge Davy Jones fan, but this book was a struggle for me. It was weirdly written and I found myself skimming parts of the book just to get through it.
March 9, 2020
A candid look into the life of Davy Jones. Funny and emotional; it is a fun and interesting read. I really enjoyed it.
September 24, 2019
This book would be considered an "autobiography" except for the fact that it wasn't written by Davy Jones. It was "written by Alan Green in conversation with Davy Jones"--which, as Davy pointed out, in the Forward, he told the stories, and Alan Green (a friend, but also a piano player for Davy's band when he went solo) wrote them down.
I have no issue (okay, as an author myself, I have *some* issue) about having a ghost-writer, but in this particular book, it was obvious that Davy was not the one writing. There were occasionally places that were definitely Davy's--you could hear it in the words or phrases used, and thus, his voice in your mind, and you could say:"Now *that* is Davy". But those were few and far between.
The book starts where Davy was born in Manchester, England and growing up--getting into mischief as boys do, getting poor grades and dropping out of school--then got interested in acting. He landed a number of acting gigs, including playing the Artful Dodger from "Oliver", and one thing led to another until along came the Monkees (although he hadn't expecting acting to be his life--he actually had hoped to become a jockey and had been working in a stable for race horses)
I--and I'm sure many are aware--that on the TV show, "The Monkees" was made to appear good and wholesome--often zanny--fun, but Davy openly admits to all of the "un-Monkee-like" behavior that he (and the others) partook in. As an adult, I understand the pressures and the availability of these things, but considering that I was only 5 years old when The Monkees came back on in syndication in the '70s, I was surprised, if not shocked, to say the least. (I guess that's why they say you should never meet your idol--or a longtime crush.) But it *did* surprise me to discover that years passed--in some cases, many years--without them even speaking to each other as they went their own route.
The book ends during their 20th Anniversary Monkees tour (1986) and includes hundreds upon hundreds of photographs ranging from his childhood up to the 20th Anniversary (which was when the book was being written).
It's heartbreaking to know that Davy--who died from a heart attack in Feb. of 2012--will never again perform with the band, or any other band. That his life was cut short. But his memory will live on in his fans--old and new--forever. Blessed be, Davy. You meant the world to so many.
I have no issue (okay, as an author myself, I have *some* issue) about having a ghost-writer, but in this particular book, it was obvious that Davy was not the one writing. There were occasionally places that were definitely Davy's--you could hear it in the words or phrases used, and thus, his voice in your mind, and you could say:"Now *that* is Davy". But those were few and far between.
The book starts where Davy was born in Manchester, England and growing up--getting into mischief as boys do, getting poor grades and dropping out of school--then got interested in acting. He landed a number of acting gigs, including playing the Artful Dodger from "Oliver", and one thing led to another until along came the Monkees (although he hadn't expecting acting to be his life--he actually had hoped to become a jockey and had been working in a stable for race horses)
I--and I'm sure many are aware--that on the TV show, "The Monkees" was made to appear good and wholesome--often zanny--fun, but Davy openly admits to all of the "un-Monkee-like" behavior that he (and the others) partook in. As an adult, I understand the pressures and the availability of these things, but considering that I was only 5 years old when The Monkees came back on in syndication in the '70s, I was surprised, if not shocked, to say the least. (I guess that's why they say you should never meet your idol--or a longtime crush.) But it *did* surprise me to discover that years passed--in some cases, many years--without them even speaking to each other as they went their own route.
The book ends during their 20th Anniversary Monkees tour (1986) and includes hundreds upon hundreds of photographs ranging from his childhood up to the 20th Anniversary (which was when the book was being written).
It's heartbreaking to know that Davy--who died from a heart attack in Feb. of 2012--will never again perform with the band, or any other band. That his life was cut short. But his memory will live on in his fans--old and new--forever. Blessed be, Davy. You meant the world to so many.
January 18, 2024
I remember watching the Monkees when I was about six or seven and loving it. Davy was of course my favourite, maybe because he was closer to my size! The first part of the book about his pre-Monkee life and then the development of the show was interesting but then when the band broke up so did the book. The "ghost" writer is increasingly more evident and the tone goes from semi-humorous British theatre luvvy lost in California to growing bitterness, mostly about things he caused himself such as marital and parental neglect. He seemed to spend most of his relationship with his wife in denial, which is odd when he started by saying it was love at first sight and they "belonged" together. I know about love at first sight; we've been happily married for 4o years.
If he was so tired of being a Monkee, why did he cling to the band until the day of his death? Why didn't he go back to the British theatre? Or was it too late?
I also wondered how a British citizen could be forced into the US draft. This is never explained.
I have to admit I bailed on the bitter boy about 75% in, when picking up the book became a chore.
If he was so tired of being a Monkee, why did he cling to the band until the day of his death? Why didn't he go back to the British theatre? Or was it too late?
I also wondered how a British citizen could be forced into the US draft. This is never explained.
I have to admit I bailed on the bitter boy about 75% in, when picking up the book became a chore.
January 4, 2023
It hurts my heart to give this just two stars. I almost gave it three just because I’m such a fan of the Monkees, but … no, it’s just two.
I don’t think I was ever a big fan of Davy, not as much as I was of Mike and Mickey. And I think this book brought his undesirable characteristics more immediately to notice.
He’s like that kid who projects irrepressible joy but you know he’s being fake. The kid who gets everything too easily because of his smile and not because of his actual ability. He’s the kind of kid who pretends to be your friend but then talks about you behind your back, and not in a favorable way. He’s smarmy. He laughs everything away because he doesn’t care about anything or anyone because somehow things will work out for him. He does whatever he wants because he knows he can charm his way out of consequences.
There wasn’t enough here to make the read worthwhile, and I actually came away liking him less than I already did.
I don’t think I was ever a big fan of Davy, not as much as I was of Mike and Mickey. And I think this book brought his undesirable characteristics more immediately to notice.
He’s like that kid who projects irrepressible joy but you know he’s being fake. The kid who gets everything too easily because of his smile and not because of his actual ability. He’s the kind of kid who pretends to be your friend but then talks about you behind your back, and not in a favorable way. He’s smarmy. He laughs everything away because he doesn’t care about anything or anyone because somehow things will work out for him. He does whatever he wants because he knows he can charm his way out of consequences.
There wasn’t enough here to make the read worthwhile, and I actually came away liking him less than I already did.
February 5, 2022
I was a big Monkees/Davy Jones fan, so this book was quite a disappointment for me. In the preface, Davy's co-author went on and on about how much hard work and expense went into this book. They included pictures and copies of letters. But the pictures were small, black and white and often too dark or too blurry and did not have captions. And the letters, receipts etc. really weren't too interesting. As for the writing, I found it to be rather scattered and incoherent at times. What comes across is a man who sort of just bumbled his way through his career and was a horrible husband and absent father. On the plus side, he really did seem to care about his fans. If you want to read about the Monkee's, Micky Dolenz wrote a much better book.
August 17, 2025
I love Davy dearly, but he comes off quite petty in this book. After hearing about all goes been through—how he was taken advantage of his whole life, I can to an extent understand where the pettiness comes from, but I think he missed more than one opportunity in editing to tone it down. I wish he’d expand on a lot of the stories he told; I feel like I’m missing a bit of reflection. Davy seems to be good at being famous—to the extent that it seemed like it was hard for him to be an actual person too. I listened to the audiobook version, which I found enjoyable because I felt like I was on the phone with him. (Oh, if only.) Miss him a lot and I don’t think even the meanest parts of this book will make me stop loving Davy.
June 29, 2020
I read this when I was a teenager and a big Monkees fan : ) I think I appreciate it even more now, thinking about how candid Davy was about his experiences. He talks about his gratitude for the opportunities he had, but is honest about the ups and downs. I appreciate how down to earth he was here, and how humble. It's not a tell-all, and he doesn't drag anyone through the dirt like other Hollywood memoirs might, but he just describes his experience for what it was. It's an interesting window into the times, and it's loaded with great photos.
Too bad Davy passed away so young. He seemed like a sweet person.
Too bad Davy passed away so young. He seemed like a sweet person.
November 15, 2021
I've been reading a few (auto)biographies of bands and their members lately, and this one didn't disappoint. Davy does come off as arrogant sometimes, at other times he fully admits his wrongdoings and failures. There are LOTS of photos in this book, so if you're a big Davy Jones fan, you'll be in heaven. I like how Davy related a lot of things to a time in school where he was asked to point out North, South, East, and West from inside a building, and "That's when I started drinking." I did find the ghostwriter's comments distracting at times, other times it filled in the blanks. There were laugh out loud moments, and OMG moments. A very enjoyable book to read.
August 31, 2023
I listened to this on audiobook format.
I was rather underwhelmed by this, unfortunately.
It felt a lot briefer and a bit superficial, to be honest.
I expected way more detail on his time on the Monkees show and all that entailed.
I wasn’t all that surprised that he was an absent father and a crappy husband.
Be warned, there’s quite a lot of Dad humour in this book though I did find myself laughing a few times.
Davy wasn’t my fave Monkee - Mickey was, and his memoir has a lot more pathos to it.
I was rather underwhelmed by this, unfortunately.
It felt a lot briefer and a bit superficial, to be honest.
I expected way more detail on his time on the Monkees show and all that entailed.
I wasn’t all that surprised that he was an absent father and a crappy husband.
Be warned, there’s quite a lot of Dad humour in this book though I did find myself laughing a few times.
Davy wasn’t my fave Monkee - Mickey was, and his memoir has a lot more pathos to it.
October 26, 2020
Fascinating memoir from a childhood idol. The book goes more or less chronologically from childhood through the Monkees' worldwide popularity to the decline of the group. Detailed experiences with pictures of contracts, documents, fan encounters, family portraits, etc. will really open your eyes to how these boys were used. Davy freely shares details about his personal life as well, but keeps the book upbeat and interesting despite pulling back the curtain on the TV/Music money making machine.
May 16, 2024
This was an abridged audiobook, so not as much detail as I would have liked.
Davy Jones narrates and is a really engaging narrator (which he should be, given it's his story). It felt a little bit light on Monkees history, and relationships with the other guys. Personally, I'd have liked a bit more about the making of Head. It does get a mention and the theory of the movie gets explained. Davy does not seem to like the movie as much as I do! :(
Davy Jones narrates and is a really engaging narrator (which he should be, given it's his story). It felt a little bit light on Monkees history, and relationships with the other guys. Personally, I'd have liked a bit more about the making of Head. It does get a mention and the theory of the movie gets explained. Davy does not seem to like the movie as much as I do! :(
October 18, 2025
I loved Davy back in the day.
I watched The Monkees all the time, but it embarrassed me FOR them how silly they were. Their humor was not my style of funny at all, but I liked their music, having had two of their albums when I was 11.
Davy's book shatters any thoughts of the fun, sweet, cute guy we knew and loved. He loved his alcohol and drugs, and he didn't really know how to be a good husband. This book tells a lot about the man we thought we knew.
I watched The Monkees all the time, but it embarrassed me FOR them how silly they were. Their humor was not my style of funny at all, but I liked their music, having had two of their albums when I was 11.
Davy's book shatters any thoughts of the fun, sweet, cute guy we knew and loved. He loved his alcohol and drugs, and he didn't really know how to be a good husband. This book tells a lot about the man we thought we knew.
March 21, 2023
Davy Jones was an absolute weirdo and I love him for it. This book is so good, even when it makes absolutely zero sense. Many parts you could clearly hear in Davy’s voice. Very enjoyable for Monkees fans everywhere imho!
December 27, 2023
Review for audio:
If you had a crush on Davy and was a fan of the Monkees, you will enjoy this. Book is read by Davy. It was so good to hear his voice again and brought back many memories. Interesting story. My only complaint, I wanted more! Book stops at 1986.
If you had a crush on Davy and was a fan of the Monkees, you will enjoy this. Book is read by Davy. It was so good to hear his voice again and brought back many memories. Interesting story. My only complaint, I wanted more! Book stops at 1986.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews