Did Mike Nesmith Play the Guitar in Valleri by The Monkees?
It's a common misconception that Mike Nesmith, one of the founding members of The Monkees, played the guitar on the song 'Valleri' by the band. In reality, the lead guitar work for 'Valleri' was handled by a session musician named Louis Shelton. However, as fans of The Monkees can attest, Mike Nesmith was an exceptionally talented guitarist in his own right.
Mike Nesmith's Guitar Skills
Mike Nesmith wasn't just a member of The Monkees, he was also known for his independent work and skills as a musician. One of the most notable examples of his talent can be found in his cover version of the song 'Mary Mary,' which was included on the classic Butterfield Blues Band album East West. According to many, the Monkees' version of 'Mary Mary' is even better than the original.
The Truth About 'Valleri'
Both the TV and album versions of 'Valleri' featured session musicians as the primary instrumentalists. In fact, only Micky Dolenz and David Jones appeared on the TV version of the song. On the album version, David Jones was the only Monkee present. Therefore, it wasn't Mike Nesmith who contributed to the guitar parts of 'Valleri.'
Session Musicians in The Monkees
The Monkees were known for their innovative use of studio musicians, particularly during the height of their popularity. For instance, Louis Shelton was responsible for the Telecaster intro on 'Last Train to Clarksville,' and the guitar solo on 'Valleri' is believed to have been played by Tommy Tedesco. Even when The Monkees returned to play on their own records, they often worked with studio musicians, as evidenced by their album 'Just Us,' which was released in 1996. By that time, The Monkees were no longer a manufactured band but a true rock group with a mixture of filmed performances and studio recordings.
The Monkees as Actors and Musicians
While The Monkees were created as a fictional band, their members actually had some background in music and acting. Mike Nesmith, for example, was a professional musician before joining the group. Similarly, Peter Tork was a professional musician, Davy Jones came from a musical theater background, and Mickey Dolenz had been a professional actor since childhood. In fact, Dolenz even studied classical guitar, which somewhat explains why he became the drummer for the show.
It's worth noting that for the television show, The Monkees relied on studio musicians to play the more challenging sections of their songs. The producers often brought in well-known session musicians to ensure that the music for the show met professional standards. This approach allowed them to achieve a polished and convincing sound without the necessity for their members to perform every song from scratch.
Conclusion
In summary, while Mike Nesmith was a talented guitarist and contributed to the band's music, he wasn't the one who played the lead guitar on 'Valleri.' The instrumental parts were performed by session musicians. However, Nesmith's contributions extended beyond his guitar playing, as he was a key member of the band and a talented musician in his own right. The use of studio musicians in The Monkees can be seen as both a practical and artistic choice, allowing the band to create professional-quality music while accommodating the demands of their television show.
Related Keywords
- The Monkees
- Mike Nesmith
- Valleri