A chronicle of the controversial made-for-TV band the Monkees.

"The Monkees represent a vital problem for rock and pop, and perhaps the major question: is it the music that matters or the personality and image of the performers? This book explores the system behind the Monkees, the controversial made-for-TV band that scored some of the biggest hit records of the 1960s. The new rock criticism bewailed the fake band, while fans and audiences made it a major commerical success. More than any other group in the 1960s. the Monkees illustrate the genius of the system and its role in popular music"--Back cover.