Neither were singers, although Mills did have two Top 40 hits in 1961 and 1962 here, ”Let's Get Together” (no. 8), and ”Johnny Jingo” (no. 21). Mills was a world-renowned actress and one of the best teen stars, if not the biggest, of the day. And the U.S. public adored her, particularly teenage girls. She was an icon, everyone wanted to be or look like Hayley Mills.
Twiggy (her real name was Leslie Hornsby; the nickname came about because she reminded many of a young tree twig!) was also an international sensation. She burst upon the fashion scene in 1966 (discovered by her then-boyfriend, Justin de Villeneuve, born Nigel John Davies) and captivated the world. She made the super skinny look very fashionable. Cute as a button, she also was the epitome of the Mod sixties look, as was Jean Shrimpton. (But Twiggy was more famous). Teenage girls all over the western world also wanted to look like and be her.
America had to bring out the big guns: The Monkees. For a couple of years, this other ”Fab Four” really gave the Beatles and other British acts a run for their money. They were a prefabricated American version of The Beatles, created and put together by producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider.
The duo placed an ad in all the major Hollywood trade papers for ”four insane boys, age 17-21, want spirited Ben Frank types (Ben Franklin?!!) for acting roles in new TV series.” Within a month, 437 hopefuls were auditioned, including Stephen Stills and Charles Manson.
Four were finally picked: Robert Michael Nesmith, shortened to Mike Nesmith, an unknown folk singer; Mickey Dolenz, a former child actor (He was Corky in the TV children's series Circus Boy) and recently had played in a garage band: Peter Thorkelson, shortened to Peter Tork, a Greenwich Village folk singer, and David Jones, shortened to Davey Jones, who had some considerable acting and singing experience. He had appeared on Broadway as The Artful Dodger in Oliver, appeared in Ben Casey, and had released an album of pop songs, some of which he performed on the same Ed Sullivan show on which the Beatles had debuted.
In late 1965, a pilot was made and bought quickly; the producing duo began grooming their new foursome. There were intensive acting lessons. The music was created and handled by the likes of songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, all the Brill Building songwriters and Neil Diamond, who also doubled with Carole King as backup vocals. Then-studio musicians such as Leon Russell and Glen Campbell played the instruments.
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