I grew up listening to the Monkees. Some of their early music was written by the likes of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, David Gates from Bread (Saturday's Child) and Carol King (Pleasant Valley Sunday). In the early days, they were definitely the Milli Vanni of the 60's (just watch Micky Dolenz attempt to play the drums), but later they really did come out as a real band. I still listen to their music now and then. There is some good stuff in there.