Seeing "The Monkees" Live

Tommy Towery

LHS "64

While working on the songs of 1967 for this issue, I remembered seeing one of the groups who had a number one song that year. I actually saw them perform in Memphis in 1967, but I remember another concert more vividly. It was 1969 and I was a second lieutenant in the Air Force and was undergoing navigator training at Mather AFB in Sacramento when the California State Fair took place. I had never been to a state fair and though the excitement of the midway appealed to me, I was more interested in going to it to see The Monkees who were performing there. In 1967 all four of the original artists. The original band consisted of Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork. Spurred by the success of TV series The Monkees, the Monkees were one of the most successful bands of the late 1960s. Prior to their performance in 1969, Peter Tork had left the group, but their music still sounded the same. Though the group formed after I had left Lee, my teenage harmones returned as I stood in the audience and sang along with all the hits I loved. 

The Wayback Machine

The Songs of 1967

Tommy Towery

LHS '64

This website was created as the official site for the Lee High School classes of 1964-1965-1966. As the popularity of the site grew, members of other classes, not only from Lee but other schools, started participating in our shared memories. Through their participation, I think the Class of '67 earned a chance to have their music reviewed along with the other classes. I asked Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence Copilot to write an essay on the songs of 1967. Here is what I received:

The Songs of 1967

The year 1967 is often regarded as the pinnacle of the 1960s music revolution, marked by an explosion of creativity, innovation, and cultural significance. This year saw the release of groundbreaking songs and albums that have since become timeless classics, shaping the course of music history.

 One of the most iconic albums of 1967 was "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles. This album was a masterful blend of rock, psychedelia, and orchestral music, featuring tracks like "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," "With a Little Help from My Friends," and "A Day in the Life." The album's innovative production techniques, conceptual coherence, and artistic ambition set a new standard for what an album could be, earning it critical acclaim and commercial success.

 Another significant release was "Are You Experienced" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. This debut album introduced the world to Jimi Hendrix's unparalleled guitar prowess and innovative sound. Tracks like "Purple Haze," "Hey Joe," and "The Wind Cries Mary" showcased Hendrix's ability to blend rock, blues, and psychedelia, creating a unique and influential musical style that would leave an indelible mark on the rock genre.

 The Doors made their mark in 1967 with their self-titled debut album, featuring the timeless hit "Light My Fire." The band's fusion of rock, blues, and jazz, combined with Jim Morrison's enigmatic lyrics and charismatic stage presence, set them apart from their contemporaries. The album also included other notable tracks like "Break On Through (To the Other Side)" and "The End," further establishing The Doors as one of the defining bands of the era.

 The Rolling Stones continued their success with the release of "Between the Buttons," which included hits like "Let's Spend the Night Together" and "Ruby Tuesday." The album displayed the band's versatility, blending rock, pop, and psychedelia. Additionally, their single "We Love You," a nod to their legal troubles, showcased their willingness to push boundaries and challenge societal norms.

 In the realm of soul music, Aretha Franklin emerged as a powerful force with her album "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You." The album featured the iconic track "Respect," which became an anthem for both the civil rights and feminist movements. Franklin's emotive vocal delivery and the album's rich arrangements solidified her status as the "Queen of Soul."

 The rise of psychedelic rock was further evidenced by Pink Floyd's debut album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn." Led by Syd Barrett, the album's experimental soundscapes and whimsical lyrics set the stage for the band's future explorations into progressive rock. Tracks like "Interstellar Overdrive" and "Astronomy Domine" demonstrated the band's innovative approach to music-making.

 1967 was a year of extraordinary musical innovation and cultural impact. The songs and albums released during this time not only defined the era but also influenced subsequent generations of musicians and listeners. The enduring popularity and significance of these works are a testament to the creativity and artistic ambition that characterized this remarkable year in music history.

Billboard magazine's Top Hot 100 songs of 1967. "To Sir With Love" by Lulu (pictured) was the number one song of 1967. 

The Number One Song of 1967

"To Sir with Love" is the theme from James Clavell's 1967 film To Sir, with Love. The song was performed by British singer and actress Lulu (who also starred in the film). The song peaked at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, and became the best-selling single of 1967 in the United States. At the time, it made Lulu only the second British female artist to top the US charts during the listing's Rock era after Petula Clark's "Downtown" in 1965.

"To Sir With Love" was initially recorded by Lulu (with The Mindbenders, who also acted in the film). It was released as a single in the United States in 1967 and in October reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for five weeks. The single ranked No. 1 in Billboard's year-end chart. It became a gold record.

I think two verses of the song could easily apply to many of our own thoughts about graduating from high school.

Those schoolgirl days

Of telling tales and biting nails are gone

But in my mind

I know they will still live on and on

And

The time has come

For closing books and long last looks must end

And as I leave

I know that I am leaving my best friend

Even though the movie was about schooling in England, the song is universal.

Here is a collection of Billboard's Number One songs of 1967.

John Drummon got in touch with me. He is still getting the Traveller announcements. We just don't know why a personal email to him failed.

I missed my chance of writing about my encounter with Domingo Samudio, better know as Sam of Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. I continued my love of skating when I moved to Memphis and would go skating at a local rink there. The rink started hosting a teenage dance on Friday nights and Memphis was filled with some great local bands like The Boxtops and The Gentrys to name two. One night I attended the skating rink dance and the featured group was none other than Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs wound up with the XL label in Memphis. There they recorded their first and biggest hit, "Wooly Bully", in late 1964.  It cost me a dollar to attend. One of the features that night was a dance contest and I paired up with a girl I had just met that night and low and behold we won the contest. I am sure all the Friday and Saturday nights spent dancing at Bradley's helped. The prize was a stuffed "Wooly Bully" toy. I tried to be a gentleman and let the girl keep it, but she didn't want it so I took it home and it sat on the headboard of my bed until I left for the Air Force. I do not know what happened to it after that. It just disappeared, but the memory has remained.

Musical Artists I Have  Seen

Rick Markley

LHS ‘66

Last week you mentioned a great list pf performers.  Those were great days for live performances, and we had some great performers who came out of the Pacific Northwest that I went to their concerts.  The Kingsmen (Louie, Louie), Paul Reviere and the Raiders, Merrilie Rush and the Turnabouts (Angel in the Morning), the Viceroys (Grannies Pad). the Wailers (Tall Cool One), the Ventures (Walk Don't Run) and others not as notable.  I did see the following:

Herman's Hermits

Del Shannon (Runaway)

Sam the Sham and the  Pharaohs

Tom Jones

Brian Highland

The Turtles

The Shirelles

The Association

Gary Puckett and the Union Gap

Cream

Sergio Mendez and Brazil 66

The Rascals

Stevie Wonder

Years later, Pearl Jam

The Platters

Flash Cadillac-They had a dance contest where the winner won a set of hubcaps of which one of the band members snuck out and stole them from a car in the parking lot.

Three Dog Night 

I have seen many other local bands in Tavern's and Pubs and the 60's & 70"s produced many of them.  I was released from the Army in late August,1970, and a week later found out my neighbor who I went to my final year of high school had a band playing in a local tavern. That is where I met my wife to be of 53 years for which I am very grateful.  I will relish the band years and the dancehall era for the rest of my life.

Last Week's Questions, Answers, And Comments

Lynn Vanpelt, LHS ‘66, "I’ve really enjoyed the article about the music of 1966. It was definitely the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll, but I could not open the YouTube clip that was sent long. It said for me to sign on to make sure I wasn’t a robot. I couldn’t figure out how to do that.  Music can take me back to the good old days in a New York minute

Dolore Kilgore, LHS '66, "Thank you."

Jim Mcbride, LHS ‘65, "Well done Steve Jarrell (on your song)."

Mary Ann Walalce, LHS ‘64, "I look forward to your Traveller post each week.  I don't always respond but your post always bring back lost memories or ones that have faded.  Thank you for your dedication to keep the Lee graduates up to date and the interesting memories, facts, posts, and information each week.  You are my hero!"