Posted on 05/31/2025 8:45:04 AM PDT by DallasBiff
Throughout music history, bands have been formed by members who were friends or perhaps created by ambitious producers looking for the next Big Sensation. On the other hand, there are also bands that were born out of cartoons, television programs, and movies. They generally only performed as musical acts on the screen yet achieved the success of a traditional group by releasing records and videos, blurring the lines between real and fiction. While they may not have received major awards or recognition, real people did lend their voices to these pieces of vinyl.
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The Archies
The Banana Spits
The Blues Brothers
The Monkees
The Partridge Family
(Excerpt) Read more at culturesonar.com ...
A lot more than that.
Sometimes the fake bands are better than the real ones.
One hit wonders are often great.
I was surprised that Bob Marley never sued the banana splits. The BS theme song ripped off Buffalo Soldier by Marley. Oh well.....
Mickey did the vocals for the Monkeys. The studio did the instrumentals. Just as the studio did the instermentals for The Beach Boys Pet Sounds album.
I remember those fake bands. So popular with adolescents that their TV performances had rubber bands for guitar strings.
Interesting. I never noticed that.
I’ll have to think about it.
Mike Nesmith was very talented.
I agree. But he doesn’t play or sing on almost any of the early Monkee hits.
The Ruttles come to mind.
A legend that lasted a lunchtime.
Why isn’t Bruce “The Boss” on the list?
Not only is he fake, he’s a flammin’ idiot.
(Oh, maybe cuz his songs are trash??)
Can’t stand that guy
I liked The Commitments, a band made for a movie about a band of Irish soul singers. Had modest but respectable hits with “Try a Little Tenderness,” “Mustang Sally,” and “Take Me To the River.”
Of course, “fake” here means “fictional,” not “phony,” so no Milli Vanilli.
How can you not list the Gorillaz?
LOL! Nice!
Boston apparently
I liked The Commitments, a band made for a movie about a band of Irish soul singers.
That was a great movie.
Steam was an American pop rock music group, best known for their 1969 number one hit single, “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”. The song was written and recorded by studio musicians Gary DeCarlo (aka Garrett Scott), Dale Frashuer, and producer/writer Paul Leka at Mercury Records studios in New York City. The single was attributed to the band Steam, although at the time there was actually no band with that name. Leka and the studio group also recorded the first album of the band from which four other songs were released as singles in 1970.
...well, maybe Glen Campbell being the exception.
"Over the years as a session player, Glen Campbell played on numerous recordings by the Beach Boys, Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Ricky Nelson, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, the Monkees, Nancy Sinatra, Merle Haggard, Jan and Dean,[19] Bing Crosby, Phil Spector, Sammy Davis Jr., Doris Day, Bobby Vee, The Everly Brothers, Shelley Fabares, The Cascades, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Wayne Newton, The First Edition, The Kingston Trio, Roger Miller, Gene Clark, Lou Rawls, Claude King, Lorne Greene, Ronnie Dove and Elvis Presley.
Among the songs Glen played on during those sessions were…
Elvis Presley — “Viva Las Vegas”
Elvis Presley's — "What'd I Say"
Frank Sinatra — “Strangers in The Night”
The Monkees —”I'm a Believer”
The Monkees —"Mary, Mary"
The Beach Boys —“Fun, Fun, Fun”
I get Around — “The Beach Boys”
The Beach Boys —"Caroline, No"
Righteous Brothers – “Lost That Loving Feeling”
Ricky Nelson — “Hello Mary Lou”
Wayne Newton — “Danke Schoen”
Jan and Dean — “Surf City”
Roger Miller — "Dang Me"
Gloria Jones — “Tainted Love”
Merle Haggard —"Mama Tried"
The Rolling Stones should be on the list. Or are they a band that just sucks?
If your boss look like Meghan Rapinoe, time to find new job.
“I thought the goofy Monkees has some pretty good songs.”
In addition to the Monkees, Mike Nesmith was an respected country music performer and songwriter within the Outlaw County and Cosmic Country genre.
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