In this sequel to Long Title: Looking for the Good Times; Examining the Monkees’ Songs, One By One, authors Michael A. Ventrella and Mark Arnold look at the careers the Monkees had outside of the show and the band: From Micky’s early appearances as Circus Boy through Peter’s financial and legal problems to become a respected performer with his band Shoe Suede Blues, to Davy’s frustration with record labels and his many solo albums for his fans, to Michael’s evolution from country rock founder to the creator of MTV and video technology ahead of many others. They look at the various reunion concerts, the movies and plays, and the ups and downs of their varied careers, all with insight and humor.

Some people are so ignorant as to imagine that the Monkees are not a ‘real’ band. That’s crazy! That’s like saying that lemon meringue pie is not ‘real’ food. They’re both an inspired synthesis of disparate wholesome, delicious, natural ingredients combined, orchestrated and executed with expert skill and sublime results. What this book makes irrefutably clear is that all four Monkees were consummate professionals - talented musicians and skilled performers, all - producing strong, creative, original, yet inexplicably unheralded, music recordings and video content before, during and after their frenzied ‘Monkees’ moment. Never underestimate a ‘pop star’. There’s always more to them than you could ever imagine. This book proves it. I will always love lemon meringue pie. And I will always love the Monkees.

• Dean Friedman ( Ariel,
  Lucky Stars,
  McDonald’s Girl )