Exclusive Internet Interview: Andrew Sandoval

March 17, 1995

Here they are–Andrew Sandoval’s answers to your questions! He answered many
more than the required twenty–as you can see, he did quite a bit of work
here, and it is fascinating reading. Thanks to all who participated!

******************************************
(kkwang@typhoon.seas.ucla.edu)
Kenneth K. Wang asks:

–Do tapes of the Monkees maiden efforts as a group (pre-Colgems) exist?
I’m talking about the ones that Raybert listened to, thought they were good
and bad and decided to hire Kirshner et al due to lack of time. Kirshner
then listened and called them “loud” instead of the “musical sex image” he
wanted. Nez claims “about 100” songs were recorded, including “The Girl I
Knew Somewhere”.
–answer———————————
No. This seems to be completely speculative. Rafelson & Schnieder claim to
have heard no such tapes (December 1993). Furthermore, tapes of this nature
do not exist in Rhino’s vault.

*****************************************
(kkwang@typhoon.seas.ucla.edu)
Kenneth K. Wang asks:
–How much (video and audio) of the December ’66 concert which was sampled
on “Monkees On Tour” exists? Any chance of more of it being released?
–answer———————————

All of the footage in “Monkees On Tour” comes from their show in Phoenix,
Arizona. The entire concert exists on multi-track (4trk). However, no vocals
were recorded as the plan was to overdub them for the episode (which they
did in most cases). These renders this tape more or less unreleasable. No
outtake film footage from this event has turned up thus far.

*****************************************
(kkwang@typhoon.seas.ucla.edu)
Kenneth K. Wang asks:
–How much (video and audio) of the May ’68 “Circle Sky” concert(s)
exist(s)? Any chance of more of it being released?
–answer———————————
Much like the Pheonix show, everything was captured on multi-track (8trk in
this case) and once again now attempt was made to record vocals. The version
in the movie features an overdubbed vocal from Michael. In addition to a
number of takes of “Circle Sky,” The Monkees performed several requests for
the invited audience.

No film outtakes from the movie Head have turned up thus far.

*****************************************
(kkwang@typhoon.seas.ucla.edu)
Kenneth K. Wang asks:

I know that The Monkees Present was originally proposed in ’68 when Tork
was still a member and would have been four solo sides, then changed to
three solo + one group effort after Tork left, then finally the single
album that was actually released. Were there any potential lineups when it
was still a double album? Thanks so much for printing the original cover
and inside
gatefold! I love it! A double album with Peter included would have been
an absolute dream, better than The Beatles “White Album” by far IMHO.
–answer———————————-
No alternate album line-ups have turned up in my research.

******************************************
(1801026SO232@sscl.uwo.ca)
Bruce Leach asks:

–I was wondering when Rhino was releasing the videos for the series and
how much this box set would cost.
–answer———————————-
The Box will be available in September or October (though I think it’s a
pre-order deal only) for the princely sum of $399.95. Individual episodes
won’t be available ’til 1996.

******************************************
(eviljenh@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu)
Jennifer Lynn Hill asks:

–Is Columbia House started to pitch the episodes yet? I’ve only seen the
original opening to the show once, and my tapes are older than my 7 year
old cousin. Help?
–answer———————————-
No. They’ll begin their program in May or June this year.

******************************************
(skkim@students.wisc.edu)
Stuart Kim asks:

–I just saw in Newsweek a note on the release “Bob Dylan: Highway 61
Interactive” CD-ROM. It includes the complete lyrics of every Dylan song
recorded, photos from his youth and backstage passes from major concerts
through the years. The rest of the CD-ROM comprises 3-D renditions of old
Dylan haunts and even a previously unreleased version of “House Of The
Rising Sun”.

–Don’t you think that CD-ROM would be ideal for the Monkees and Nesmith?
One could include complete lyrics, rare photographs, Quicktime movies,
unreleased songs, and maybe other interactive stuff.
–answer———————————–
Yes. Rhino’s working on something, but unfortunately I’m not involved at
this point.

*******************************************
(zanf@aol.com)
Zan Flickenger asks:

–For those who are going to order the box set, wouldn’t it be possible to
create these tapes in the original airing sequence, rather than the proposed
mixed sequence? If these folks are going to be getting a collector’s item,
this distinction between the box set and the “continuation” series would
only enhance it’s value.
–answer————————————
I agree. But, I’m not in control of the matter.

********************************************
(jhgar@aol.com)
JHGAR asks:

–Any chance of a letterboxed “Head” laserdisc with commentary by the four
and/or Jack Nicholson plus deleted footage, script, etc?
–answer————————————
It’s a very very very good possibility this will happen. Though no deleted
footage has turned up. Rafelson & Schneider say there may be none at all.

********************************************
(goshmizer@aol.com)
Goshmizer asks:

Anyone record the full reunion show in 89 and is it suitable for release?
–answer————————————
No professional recording was made to my knowledge. However, a number of
audience tapes rolled that night. See the vinyl bootleg “Original Formula.”

********************************************
(batofri@aol.com)
BAT asks:

–The Monkees sold a live double album of the 1986 Tour during the 1987 tour
dates–any possibility of this being released officially (esp. on CD)?
–answer————————————
No. Micky, Peter & Davy own these recordings jointly with David Fishoff and
due to their tenuous relations, rerelease seems unlikely. It has nothing to
do with Rhino, I guess you just had to be there!

*********************************************
(ran@cunyvms1.gc.cuny.edu)
Randy Burbach asks:

–how are the sales going?
–answer————————————-
Moderate.

*********************************************
(ran@cunyvms1.gc.cuny.edu)
Randy Burbach asks:

–you released one early Nez song on that one collection (i don’t recall the
name). do you have more of his colpix stuff?
–answer————————————-
Rhino owns all of his (and Davy’s) Colpix sides. However, no master tapes
exist for any of these recordings and any reissues would be dubbed from the
original discs, making this project less than desirable and ultimately
uncommercial.

*********************************************
(ran@cunyvms1.gc.cuny.edu)
Randy Burbach asks:

–any plans for a video best of the monkees compilation with such video bits
as goin down, daily nightly, Randy Scouse Git, the videos from HEAD, etc.?
–answer————————————–
Due to union restrictions still in force on the series (AFM, SAG, etc.) the
added costs for presenting a reedited reformatted compilation financially
impractical (i.e.; if you think the video box is expensive, you wouldn’t
want to know how much a clip tape would cost the purchaser.

**********************************************
(ran@cunyvms1.gc.cuny.edu)
Randy Burbach asks:

–How is the sound on 33 1/3?
–answer————————————–
Very good to excellent.

**********************************************
(kkwang@typhoon.seas.ucla.edu)
Ken Wang asks:

–Do you have any knowledge of the recording of Boyce & Hart’s “Whatever’s
Right” on 7/26/66?
–answer————————————–
No tapes are on file. It probably existed as a backing track (meaning no
Monkees vocals). It was copyright by Boyce & Hart in 1966 (for song
publishing) but as of 1993 Bobby Hart couldn’t remember how it went.

**********************************************
(kkwang@typhoon.seas.ucla.edu)
Ken Wang asks:

–Did Davy record vocals on all of those songs produced by Jeff Barry and
Lynne Randell during January ’67?
–answer————————————–
No. Sugar Man, Eve Of My Sorrow and Black & Blue are backing tracks only.
Micky sang lead on “I didn’t know you had it in you sally” AKA “Ball Of
Fire.” Davy tried his hand at the awful “If I Learned To Play The Violin” as
well as “Mustang” (see: Monkeeshines) “Love To Love” “She Hangs Out” and
“Little Bit Me”

**********************************************
(kkwang@typhoon.seas.ucla.edu)
Ken Wang asks:

–Do the Headquarters era songs “Where Has It All Gone”, “I Had A Dream Last
Night”, and “Masking Tape” exist?
–answer—————————————
Masking Tape is a backing track only. As for the other two these are demos
which in no way feature The Monkees. Let me say one thing to everyone who is
into outtakes and unissued material. The lists in The Monkeescrap Book and
Manufactured Image are generally inaccurate. A great many of the recordings
listed are backing tracks only with no Monkee involvement, while others are
demos that various songwriters and producers submitted to The Monkees. The
only reason they are listed along with the legitimately released and
unreleased recordings by the group is for the simple fact that The Monkees
had these demos etc. charged to their account via Screen-Gems (read: they
paid for everything). It does not mean that they actually exist or in any
way feature Michael, Micky, Davy or Peter. Be warned!

************************************************
(kkwang@typhoon.seas.ucla.edu)
Ken Wang asks:

–Does the June ’67 song “Love Song-Tippy Taylor” exist?
–answer—————————————-
No. This was a song Peter performed live on November 18, 1966 at the W.F. Ku
Memorial in San Francisco. By the way the actual title (did I mention the
word inaccurate before?) is “The Love Song from ‘Tippy the Toiler'”. Peter
also performed “The Consumers Suite” on the same date which is also from
‘Tippy the Toiler.’ Ask Peter about it next time you see him live (he’s got
a great memory and could probably play these songs for you).

************************************************
(kkwang@typhoon.seas.ucla.edu)
Ken Wang asks:

–Is “I Think It’s Gonna Rain” (5/68) the same song as Nez’ 1965 San Antonio
concert song “Looks Like Rain”?
–answer—————————————-
Very likely.

************************************************
(kkwang@typhoon.seas.ucla.edu)
Ken Wang asks:

–Did you come across any of the studio 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee tracks?
–answer—————————————-
Only alternate, unfinished versions of a couple songs. The only finished
versions exist on the video for the show. In this case The Monkees performed
many of the vocals live at the tapings for 33 1/3 and, furthermore, even the
unfinished master versions haven’t turned up.

************************************************
(kkwang@typhoon.seas.ucla.edu)
Ken Wang asks:

–There are a couple Davy tunes “How Can I Tell You” (Chadwick/Jones) and
“Opening Night” (Jones/Smalls) from 6/27/69. Do these exist?
–answer—————————————-
Opening Night exists with vocals but as of 1994 Davy felt that these was
largely just a rough run through. I’m inclined to agree.

************************************************
(brybeatle@aol.com)
BryBeatle asks:

–Will any (hopefully all) of the upcoming video releases- Head, episodes,
33 &1/3- be issued on Laserdisc?
–answer—————————————–
Not for a good while at least – but maybe somewhere down the line. Sorry.

*************************************************
(GRIFFINA@acc.jbu.arknet.edu)
Andrew W. Griffin asks:

–Are you working on Missing Links 3?
–answer—————————————–
Yes. As we speak. It’ll be out in October.

*************************************************
(XES600295%manvax@CUVMB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU)
Chris asks:

–On the World Wide Web we have a listing of each Monkee episode. I noticed
how some songs are listed in episodes and there weren’t even recorded yet
(such as The Girl I knew Somewhere and You Told Me in the Sept.12, 1966
show) I know the shows were redubbed in the summer and in later years. Will
the shows box set Rhino is releasing have the episodes as originally aired
or with redubs?
–answer—————————————–
They will be the original, first run, unedited versions with beautiful color
correction. Much better than anything you’ve seen before.

*************************************************
(XES600295%manvax@CUVMB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU)
Chris asks:

–Is Missing Links 3 to be released and when and what are some song
possibilities?
–answer—————————————–
October. Zor & Zam [T.V. version], How Insensitive, (Theme From) The Monkees
[T.V. version from master source – not like guitar shaped sampler), She’ll
Be There, Midnight Train [demo], The Merry-Go-Round Song, and more.

*************************************************
(XES600295%manvax@CUVMB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU)
Chris asks:

–Did the Monkees perform on the Ed Sullivan Show? If so, please describe
in full detail(ex. what song, interview?, what instruments, etc….)
–answer—————————————–
No. Although Davy did in Feb. ’64 (pre-Monkees) as a part of the cast of Oliver!

*************************************************
(dmclalle@nyx.cs.du.edu)
David asks:

–So what’s left out there? What haven’t we heard? What unreleased gems
are still aching to jump out of the vaults of the mighty Rhino machine?
–answer—————————————–
Hollywood, Propinquity, Look Down, Little Red Rider and more…

*************************************************
(dmclalle@nyx.cs.du.edu)
David asks:

–Is there some technical reason that you can’t release a 33 1/3 CD? If
the sound is CD quality as reported, why can’t we have a CD taken directly
from the video soundtrack? Let me assure you that with the market of
Monkees collectors out here the sales of one would certainly not impact the
sales of the other. In fact, I think they would enhance each other!
–answer——————————————
Who reported the sound was CD quality?

**************************************************
(dmclalle@nyx.cs.du.edu)
David asks:

–How long have you personally been a fan? What got you started?
–answer——————————————
19 years. Watching the show in reruns on Cahnnel 11 KTTV in Los Angeles.

**************************************************
(calico@onramp.net)
Kathy Bigham asks:

–Is everything going the way you thought it would, or is it more than you
thought? (or less?)
–answer—————————————–
No. I always expect Monkees fans to be happy with new or enhanced material.
But, more often than not, I get people like FRODISMAN who think they know it
all and just want to gripe about everything they think exists or that they
should be getting. Everyone must understand that I just work for Rhino, I
don’t run the whole show, there are a lot of matters that I don’t have the
power to change, or that I’m simply not allowed to get involved in.

*************************************************

(bradw@aztec.asu.edu)
Brad Waddell asks:

–Would Pacific Arts exist without Liquid Paper?
–answer—————————————–

Yes. It existed in the ’70s long before Nesmith’s inheritance.

NOTE: Mr. Waddell asked a number of other, in some cases kind of personal
(if you ask me), questions which I think are up to Mr. Nesmith to personally
answer – if he so wishes to.

*************************************************
(fvrtree@rain.org)
Matt asks:

–It is known who played on most of the _Changes_ album, but are personnel
listings available for “Midnight Train”, “99 Lbs.” (Probably the same
personell as “Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You”, but maybe not), “I Never
Thought It Peculiar”, and the bonus track “Time & Time Again”?
–answer—————————————–
I only had time to research two:

99lbs: Davy-vocals;Arthur Butler-organ;Stan Free-piano;Louis Mauro & James
Tyrrell-bass;Herb Lovelle-drums;Al Gorgoni, Don Thomas & Hugh
McCracken-guitars;Thomas Cerrone-tambourine

Midnight Train: Micky-vocals;Hal Blaine-drums; James Burton & Louie
Shelton-guitars;Joe Osborn-bass;Tommy Morgan-harmonica – essentially the
same personnel as “Bye Bye Baby Bye Bye” (which was originally entitled
“Second Song”).

**************************************************
(fvrtree@rain.org)
Matt asks:

–Do we really need a reissue of _Pool It!_ with bonus tracks?!?! And what
are the bonus tracks gonna be? An alternate mix of “She’s Movin’ In With
Rico”, perhaps? Maybe a version of “Every Step of the Way” with extended
synthesizer & electronic drum solos?
–answer——————————————
You tell me. I’m not involved in this project in anyway. Aparently, quite a
few people have written in to request this. If you find out who they are,
ask them.

**************************************************
(krp@gladstone.uoregon.edu)
Karen Pederson asks:

–What is the story behind the composition of “Goin’Down”? It is credited
to The Monkees/Hildebrand, but in your liner notes for the “More of …”
reissue, you imply that it is a Tork/Hildebrand collaboration. What exactly
were each of the Monkee’s contributions to this song?
–answer——————————————
Diane Hildebrand wrote the lyrics and Peter came up with the tune sort of.
It is really an old blues number known as Parchman’s Farm. The Monkees all
shared the credit because it was essentially a group improv.

**************************************************
(krp@gladstone.uoregon.edu)
Karen Pederson asks:

–Why, in your opinion, were Peter’s contributions almost entirely banned
from release back in the 60’s? The Birds, Bees album is a perfect example;
Micky said that each of them was to have three tracks; Why did the Powers
That Be decide that NONE of Peter’s tracks would be included?
It seems like a poor marketing scheme to me; The Beatles gave Ringo and
George their “token tracks” on each album–seems they and their producers
recognized the value of pleasing all the fans.
–answer——————————————-
Banned my be too strong a word. I asked Peter a similar question in May of
1991. His only utterance was – “karma”

***************************************************
(tbaslier@community.net)
Tami Bassler asks:

–Which is your favorite Monkees album, and why?
–answer——————————————-
PAC & J. It just has everything going for it. Nice sleeve, great songs, the
most cohesive production of any of their albums, and a general group
involvement that gives a sense of stylistic unity (except for “Hard To
Believe”).

***************************************************
(tbaslier@community.net)
Tami Bassler asks:

–Can you tell us anything about the Boyce & Hart tribute CD, “Boyce & Hart:
Words and Music”?
–answer——————————————-
It will feature Boyce & Hart tracks like “Blow You A Kiss,” “Goodbye Baby
Bye,” and “Out & About,” alongside covers of Tommy & Bobby’s work. A final
track listing has not been arrived at yet.

**************************************************
gsalap@nccseq.noctrl.edu
Leigh Peterson asks:

Andrew, will Rhino be releasing the Monkees logo on any items in stores such
as key chains, shirts, maybe some poster?
–answer——————————————–
Not for awhile.

**************************************************
(The End. Thank you, Andrew.)