Record #0009: Last Train To Clarksville / Take a Giant Step – THE MONKEES

Colgems 66-1001 (original), USA, August 14, 1966
Words & Music by:  Side A – Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart; Side B – Gerry Goffin, Carole King
Musicians:   Micky Dolenz (vocals), Louie Shelton (guitar), Tommy Boyce (acoustic guitar), Wayne Erwin (guitar), Gerry McGee (lead guitar), Larry Taylor (bass), Billy Lewis (drums), Gene Estes (percussion), David Walters (percussion on side A), Jack Keller (piano on side B), Michael Rubini (harpsichord on side B), Bobby Hart (glockenspiel on side B)
Recording session:  (Side A) RCA Victor Studio, Hollywood, CA, July 25, 1966 (7 pm-3 am); Side B on July 9, 1966 (2-9 pm)
Highest chart positions:  US #1, UK #23

The group was put together for the TV series “The Monkees” and the members were chosen out of 437 applicants who replied to the job ads that were put in “Daily Variety” and “The Hollywood Reporter”. Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz were the lucky ones to get the job. Nesmith and Jones were the only ones who had some degree of credibility as musicians before joining the Monkees.

This was the Monkees’ debut single, but Dolenz was actually the only member of the group to appear on these two songs. RCA used seasoned studio musicians (and Boyce – Hart, who also produced the record) to play all the instruments. 

List price:  “Very Good+” is $7.50 and “Near Mint” is $15.