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The Monkees are one of the most famous 1960s bands that never entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. During an interview, The Monkees’ Mike Nesmith discussed the band’s exclusion from the Hall. He also revealed what he thinks about The Monkees’ greatest legacy.

The Monkees' Mike Nesmith, Davy Jones, and Micky Dolenz standing in a row
The Monkees’ Mike Nesmith, Davy Jones, and Micky Dolenz | CBS via Getty Images

Mike Nesmith opened up about the co-founder of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Jann S. Wenner is one of the founders of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. During an interview with Billboard, Nesmith discussed his attitude towards Wenner. “Jann Wenner and his minions have the right to do what they want to do with their private collection of rock ‘n’ roll records,” said Nesmith. “And if they want to say [this] is the best one and put it on the top of their fireplace, then they can do that and that is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”

Nesmith said he respected a number of the bands in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “It’s being run like a living room best of, not to say they’re the best,” Nesmith opined. “Some of those bands that have acknowledged and brought in the Hall of Fame are, without question, some of the better writers and players.”

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum with bushes in the front
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Mike Nesmith said The Monkees’ ‘main legacy’ wasn’t their songs

Micky Dolenz said he liked to think The Monkees gave the world some great songs and some great comedy. On the other hand, Nesmith said The Monkees’ greatest legacy wasn’t their songs. “I think [The Monkees’] main legacy lies in television,” he said. “And at the present time I don’t see television paying much attention to the ’60s. And so as I look back on it now, I hope that the treasure trove that is television won’t get overlooked.” Nesmith believed 1950s and 1960s television would receive the recognition it deserved in the next few decades.

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A short look at The Monkees’ impact on television

The Monkees’ television legacy is certainly extensive. The Monkees lasted two seasons, from 1966 to 1968. Afterward, a show called New Monkees aired for one season in 1987. The show had a similar premise as the original with a new cast of characters. In addition, the Prefab Four inspired a televised biopic called Daydream Believers: The Monkees’ Story.

The Monkees even impacted television outside of their show. The cast of Glee faithfully covered the band’s famous song “Daydream Believer” in the episode “Dream On.” The original version of “Daydream Believer” even appeared in WandaVision during a pivotal moment in the show. According to the Los Angeles Times, The Monkees were also a pivotal influence on the creation of the Nickelodeon show Big Time Rush, which is also a sitcom about a boy band. The Prefab Four have a massive legacy in the world of television and beyond.

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