THE famous saying: ‘If you can remember the sixties, you weren’t really there’ may be true of a hippy lifestyle which centred around non-stop partying and ‘grass’-fuelled euphoria, but the music of those fast-changing times certainly is firmly entrenched in a much wider memory. Its enduring popularity is evidenced by the numerous cover versions and re-mixes of songs of that era, and the sure-fire draw of 60s nights at venues everywhere. Here in Spain, particularly, whenever one is advertised on the coast or inland, customers flock in their hordes, all happy to sing along and swap memories of those trendy, Carnaby Street days when flower power reigned, we screamed at the Beatles and Twiggy was the first supermodel. So how much do YOU remember about some of those musical pioneers, many of whom launched whole new genres and a multitude of imitators? One of the 60s’ best-loved bands was born when the advert: “Madness!! Auditions. Folk & Roll musicians-singers for acting roles in new TV series. Running parts for four insane boys, age 17 – 21” appeared in the American entertainment ‘bible,’ Variety. Producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider were looking to make an American TV version of the Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night film and, some 437 auditions later (which, by the way, did NOT include the notorious murderer Charles Manson, despite the urban legend, but DID include Stephen Stills – later to become part of Crosby Stills and Nash), the pair had four boys, two of whom were musicians and all with some TV, stage, or studio work under their belts. Manchester-born Davy Jones – whose original ambition was to be a jockey – had starred as the Artful Dodger in the musical ‘Oliver’ on the London stage, Micky Dolenz first hit UK TV screens in the series ‘Circus Boy’, Peter Tork was a folk musician in Greenwich Village, New York, and Mike Nesmith was already an acclaimed rock/country singer/songwriter. On September 12, 1966, the first show aired, and within two months, the band’s flagship single: ‘Last Train To Clarksville,’ sat at the top of the US charts. Yes, it was the Monkees – some would say the forerunner of today’s boy bands. One of their more cruel nicknames was the ‘prefab four’, in a swipe at the Beatles’ ‘fab four’ label, but ironically, two of the Monkees’ greatest fans were George Harrison and John Lennon. The Monkees’ weekly NBC show became a huge hit, as it did when aired in the UK, but the manufactured nature of the project led many to question the group’s authenticity as a ‘real band’ and soon, the backlash caused the group’s members to rebel, fighting to complete an album entirely on their own (Headquarters) and to tour behind their hits. Ironically, many groups recorded using session musicians and did not write most of their own material, so The Monkees were far from alone in being ‘manufactured.’ By 1968, however, the series was cancelled due to poor ratings, and the group attempted to shed its teenybopper image entirely with the psychedelic film, ‘Head,’ which, sadly, proved a flop. The band broke up soon afterwards. Mike Nesmith went on to forge a solid career in his own right as a singer and pioneer in the burgeoning video movement. In 1986, a marathon of Monkees episodes on MTV resuscitated the group overnight, although it would be a few years before all four would reunite. Over the last 20 years, the original members have reunited on stage and record off and on, with varying degrees of success. The TV show is still shown in many markets, and their hit singles continue to be a staple of 60s nights. Chubby Checker, whose 1961 hit ‘The Twist’ remains the biggest-selling American dance-craze record of all time, was another pioneer. The Twist was the first dance which encouraged couples to dance separately from one another, and set a fashion which still persists today. However, it was only one of several dances Chubby made popular – others included the Pony, the Fly and the Limbo -- but none caught on so universally as the Twist. Born Ernest Evans, Chubby learned his trade as a travelling musician and imitator on the streets of Philadelphia, where he came to the attention of a local impresario, Dick Clark. His stage name was a ‘take’ on Fats Domino, and was prompted when he told Clark that his nickname locally was ‘Chubby.’ He had a Christmas hit in 1959 with a song called ‘The Class’ in which he took off several more popular artistes, but his real break came the next year, when Hank Ballard and the Midnighters failed to honour an appearance on American Bandstand. Clark looked around for someone to cover the group’s hit ‘The Twist,’ and Chubby stepped in, knocking out the vocal over a pre-recorded backing track in just 35 minutes. The song shot to Number One and is still the only record to hit the top spot in America in two separate years (1960 and 1962). During the first year of his success, Chubby lost 30 pounds by twisting at public appearances – the dance was possibly the first aerobic exercise. Chubby is still performing, and although he has since revived The Twist -- and other hit dance-craze follow-ups -- in disco and rap versions, even trying his hand at country, he mainly plays to his original admirers nowadays, touring the ‘oldies’ circuit. Next time: Simon and Garfunkel, Roy Orbison….and more. Friday Nights 50’s 60’s &70’s Buddy Walker, 9.30p.m. ELEFANTE, Bonanza Square, Benalmadena. Tel: 650705345 www.el-elefante.com Beach Boys Tribute 1960’s, 2 hour show. Bonanza Bar- Bonanza Square, Benalmadena. Call for details: 952 566 007

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