Don Kirshner

Don Kirshner, once known as The Man With the Golden Ear, is an American song publisher and rock producer; best known for managing songwriting talent to successful groups like The Monkees and The Archies. As a producer, Kirshner was influential in starting off the career of singers and songwriters including Bobby Darin, Neil Diamond and Carole King.

The Monkees

In the early '60s, Kirshner was a successful music publisher (head of his own company 'Aldon Music', with partner Al Nevins), bringing performers together (like Bobby Darin) with songwriters and musicians.

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Kirshner was hired by the producers of The Monkees to provide hitworthy songs to accompany the TV program, within a demanding timeframe. Kirshner quickly corralled songwriting talent from his Brill Building stable of writers and musicians to create catchy, engaging tracks which the band could pretend to perform on the show.

Related Topics:
The Monkees - Brill Building

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This move wasn't because of any lack of Monkee talent, though as a band they had little experience or polish and Micky Dolenz was completely new to drums, but to emphasize comedy over music, and to churn out ready-to-go recordings to give each new episode its own song. Each Monkee was retained for vocal duties, but they weren't allowed to play on the records.

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The formula worked phenomenally well: singles Last Train to Clarksville and I'm a Believer and the first two Monkees albums were produced and released in time to catch the initial wave of the TV program's popularity.

Related Topics:
Last Train to Clarksville - I'm a Believer - TV

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However along with the success came challenges. Kirshner had allowed Michael Nesmith to produce his own songs, and Peter Tork had sat in on guitar. But after a year, the Monkees wanted another chance to all play their own instruments on the records. They also wanted additional oversight into which songs would be released as singles. Further, when word belatedly came out that the band hadn't played on the first season's songs a controversy arose, and the public expected the Monkees to put up or shut up.

Related Topics:
Michael Nesmith - Peter Tork

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The matter reached a breaking point over a disagreement regarding the Neil Diamond-penned A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You in early 1967. The song, released by Kirshner as a single without the band's consent, led to his dismissal. The initial B-side was replaced with a Nesmith song, performed by the Monkees themselves, and they performed on the next year's recordings, featured in the show's second season. Monkees record sales dropped to nearly half after Kirshner's departure.

Related Topics:
Neil Diamond - 1967

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Kirshner was reported to have been incensed by the group's rebellion and swore never to repeat his mistake. This experience led directly to his later ventures The Archies and Josie and The Pussycats, which were animated series ? the "stars" existed only on an animation cel and could not demand creative control.

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