album · June 1, 1987

Live 1967

The Monkees

Play 30s preview

RhinoSee this day

rockclassic rock

This 1987 release on Rhino captures The Monkees live in 1967, showcasing their early hits during the height of their television and recording career.

• The album was recorded live at the Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 22, 1967. The recording was made during the Monkees' first major concert tour. Rhino Records released the album in 1987, over 20 years after the original performance.
• The setlist features many of the band's earliest and most popular hits, including "I'm a Believer," "Last Train to Clarksville," and "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone." The Monkees' early live performances were often characterized by a surprising level of musical proficiency from a group initially assembled for a TV show. Many of the live tracks were later re-recorded in the studio for their official albums.
• This release was one of Rhino Records' early efforts to tap into the burgeoning market for archival live recordings of popular artists from the 1960s. The album offered fans a glimpse into the Monkees' concert experience during their peak popularity. Despite the group's complex history with live performance vs. studio recording, this album stands as a document of their mid-60s touring prowess.

The Monkees were an American band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1966. They were initially created for the television show of the same name, which aired from 1966 to 1968. The Monkees were a manufactured band, assembled from four young actors chosen from thousands of auditions. By 1967, The Monkees had already achieved massive commercial success with their first two albums and multiple hit singles. This period saw them transitioning from a purely manufactured act to a more self-sufficient musical unit, though this live album captures them still relying on their established hits.