Andrew Sandoval Monkees Book – Unboxing Video! Archival News!

 

From Andrew Sandoval: 

Direct Link: https://mailchi.mp/beatlandbooks/2021-june-23?e=5233c33b87

Hello Beatland Readers!

It has been a very busy week here, and I have much information for you in this update.

I was on a Zoom call with Michael Nesmith preparing for the upcoming Monkees farewell tour when there was a ring at the door. The FedEx man delivered samples of all three versions of the book! I had to immediately leave the call to review the contents (yes, I hung up on a Monkee to look at pictures and words about the Monkees) and instantly get back to the printers with any issues I found. Looking through 740 pages three times (plus the 40-page super deluxe supplement) took several hours. In the end, I spotted some minor things even at this late stage, and one photo flaw necessitated rerunning a 12 page “signature” (a huge grouping of pages printed at once, which are later cut and bound) to fix one image.

On a lighter note, I have made a fun video of the unboxing for you to see the three distinct versions and how they will look when they ship to you in August.

A Journey With Michael Blessing

I did get back to Michael the next day and spent the end of the last week visiting with him at his home. Nez was in fact the first person outside of my design and editorial team to see the finished book. It was an amazing moment handing it over to him to look through. Like many serendipitous events in the journey of creating this book, it was not planned, but presented itself in just the perfect way.

I stood over his shoulder laughing endlessly at his commentary on the photos and various events chronicled in the book. Michael was also fascinated by my research regarding the Kirshner court depositions and said he could remember being in an office giving his (which ran over 200 pages in its printed form).

I know most reading this will ask, “Where are the photos and videos of this wonderful time?” Although I might have whipped out my camera and tried to document it, I didn’t take any. After all, I was a guest in my friend’s home and part of our thirty-year relationship has been treating the Monkees with a certain formality and respect.

Furthermore, the reason for my visit was not to show off the book, but because Michael and his assistant Melodie Akers specifically requested my help with organizing his archive of “older stuff”: recordings and handwritten lyrics and notes from pre- and post-Monkees. The wonderful news is that we began this process a few days ago and made some incredible discoveries! Nez has a substantial archive which I hope he will be ready to share in various forms in the new year.

I am sure another question will be, “Why has it taken you thirty years to look at Michael’s personal tapes and documents?” Well, there is one obvious answer to me. They are his personal items and I have never felt it was my right to have access without his being completely comfortable with the concept. Simply put, in the very long gestation of this book, all four Monkees were extremely helpful, but I have always tried to observe their personal boundaries.

As fans, we want to see and hear everything. And in 2022, I think we are going to get some of our archival prayers answered with more Beatland Books and possibly some audio/video projects of note. I am hoping to announce the second Beatland Book (which is in pre-production) once all of the Day-By-Day books are in the post to you. There is a lot to look forward to, so hang in there and get ready for August!

Very best,

Andrew Sandoval

Beatland Books