album · May 22, 1967

Headquarters

The Monkees

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psychedelic rockclassic rockfolk rock

Headquarters saw The Monkees take the reins, producing and playing on their own records after a string of hits helmed by outside songwriters and musicians. The result was a more musically adventurous album that leaned into the era's psychedelic rock and folk rock sounds.

• The album reached number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1967.
• Guitarist Mike Nesmith and drummer Micky Dolenz are credited with playing the majority of the instruments on the album, a departure from their earlier work.
• The album cover features the band members in a studio setting, surrounded by musical equipment, signaling their increased involvement in the recording process.

Formed for the TV show of the same name, The Monkees were nevertheless a fully realized rock band whose early work often took a backseat to their manufactured image. By 1967, they were asserting more creative control, moving away from their pop origins into more complex arrangements and sounds.