<Tr> <Th> Past members </Th> <Td> <Ul> <Li> Micky Dolenz </Li> <Li> Peter Tork </Li> <Li> Davy Jones </Li> <Li> Michael Nesmith </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> Micky Dolenz </Li> <Li> Peter Tork </Li> <Li> Davy Jones </Li> <Li> Michael Nesmith </Li> </Ul> <P> The Monkees were an American rock and pop band originally active between 1966 and 1971, with subsequent reunion albums and tours in the decades that followed . They were formed in Los Angeles in 1965 by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider for the American television series The Monkees which aired from 1966 to 1968 . The musical acting quartet was composed of Americans Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork; and British actor and singer Davy Jones . The band's music was initially supervised by producer Don Kirshner, backed by the songwriting duo of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart . </P> <P> The four actor - musicians were allowed only limited roles in the recording studio for the first few months of their five - year career as "the Monkees". This was due in part to the amount of time required to film the television series . Nonetheless, Nesmith did compose and produce some songs from the beginning, and Peter Tork contributed limited guitar work on the sessions produced by Nesmith . They eventually fought for the right to collectively supervise all musical output under the band's name . The television show was canceled in 1968, but the band continued to record music through 1971 . </P>

Who were the original members of the monkees