Letters: Daydream believers have their say

After the death of Monkees lead singer Davy Jones, Newsday published a letter on March 2 from a reader who said the band represented so much of what is phony and bland about the music industry. At least a dozen readers wrote to defend the Monkees. Here are two representative letters.
 

Regarding "Monkees a creation of TV," take a step back into reality! Most of the trash on TV today -- the so-called reality shows -- are created by the industry. If you took the Monkees so seriously, then you should have switched the channel to the evening news. Where is the so-called talent in any of these reality shows today?

I grew up with the Monkees show and loved every one. I took it as it was intended: a comedy about a fictional music group. There were no sexual situations, drug use, teen pregnancy, violence or cursing, as is prevalent with just about every show and music video today.

Even though for the most part they did not write their own songs or play instruments in the beginning, they learned and later went on to tour.

As far as there being no political or social commentary, most of the viewers, including myself, were just kids looking to laugh at the antics and enjoy the music. Commentary not needed. I'm still a believer and still laughing.

Frederick C. Lingen III, Patchogue
 

Yes, the Monkees were a creation of TV. Was their music great art? Maybe not. Are there more talented musicians out of work? Of course. Did the Monkees make a lot of people happy? Absolutely! And how much is that worth? It's priceless!

I was 12 when the Monkees debuted, and I fell instantly in love with their music, their sweet, silly lifestyle and with Davy. It was a show I could watch with my whole family, in a time when there was only one TV in the house, and most of the time Dad controlled the dial (remember those days?) -- despite some grumbling from him about hair length.

After the news broke about Davy Jones, every person my age confessed to having a Monkees' song playing in their heads, and they always said it with a smile. So lighten up.

Roseann Forziano, Rocky Point