Micky Dolenz

In 1965, Micky Dolenz was cast in the television sitcom The Monkees along with Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork and became the drummer and vocalist in the “imaginary” band that wanted to be The Beatles but that was never successful. The actors and musicians, however, soon became a real band. Dolenz wrote a few of the group’s self-pinned songs as well as provided lead vocals for such hits as “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Take a Giant Step,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” “Daydream Believer,” and “I’m a Believer,” giving The Monkees their distinctive sound. Although the sitcom was cancelled in 1968, the band continued to record until 1971. The Monkees have sold more than 75 million records worldwide and, at their peak in 1967, beat the sales of the Beatles and Rolling Stones combined.