Bob Rafelson directed some of the best films during the most important period in movies: flicks like Five Easy Pieces and The King of Marvin Gardens guarantee the director’s inclusion among the best of the New Hollywood auteurs, and his experimental send-up of The Monkees, Head, makes him a mad genius for the ages. Rafelson celebrates his 84th birthday on February 21. Here’s the director talking about the Monkees’ transformation from the pre-fab four, to a recording group, to the meta-Monkees that swung through the potent-if-plotless Head…

Stay Awake!

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel where I archive all of the videos I curate at Insomnia. Click here to check out more Music posts.

Man or Monkee?

Real sad to hear about Davy Jones’ passing yesterday. Whether their ’60′s critics knew it or not, the Monkees were a talented band that recorded a number of kick-ass singles. Michael Nesmith went on to prove he was an odd genius with his First National Band and his pioneering work in music videos and film, and Micky Dolenz’ leads on classics like “(I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone” and “Last Train to Clarksville” are tough as nails.

Jones’ main roles in the band were to sing with a British accent and look cute. And he did. And he was. By all accounts he was also a gentleman and a generous performer who was always happy to play an old favorite for a fan. When those old favorites include tunes like this one, its not cheesy to just smile and play them one more time:

Stay awake!

Watch this performance of my OccupySong at Occupy Congress in DC!