This is the only authentic exclusive column in which the Monkees themselves answer those horrid rumors about them!

copyright 1967, "Teen Datebook" Magazine
Note: this is a reproduction of an article appearing in "Teen Datebook" Magazine in December of 1967

Rumor: Micky likes girls who like children, pets and walking in the rain.
Micky: I thought all girls liked children, pets and walking in the rain - if they don't, they should!

Rumor: Peter used to be married, but left his wife when he found out he was going to be a Monkee!
Peter: I was married for a short time in 1964 - her name is Jody. But the marriage ended long before the Monkees were even thought of.

Rumor: Davy's engaged to Lynne Randell - they fell in love during the concert tour.
Davy: I know you've heard the line before - but we really are just good friends! We've been just good friends for quiet a while - and believe me, luvs, there's no time for romance on one of those tours!

Rumor: Even if he doesn't get drafted, Davy wants to leave the Monkees.
Davy: Not a chance, luv, I'm not leaving the Monkees. I'm going to stay with them as long as there are Monkees!

Rumor: The Monkees made a movie in England last February.
Micky: There were plans to do a Monkee movie next February, but it'll have to wait a while, 'cuz the TV series is going so well. We don't know what it'll be about - but it will be something special!

Rumor: All four of the Monkees are hooked on LSD and other drugs because of Paul McCartney's statement - especially Peter.
Mike: We do not take drugs - oh, I do have vitamin pills.
Micky: And I drink coffee.
Davy: I go for Exlax myself!
Peter: We all like the Beatles artistically - but we don't go around doing things just because they do. Especially not dangerous things like LSD or drugs.

Rumor: Mike thinks that Monkee music is inane and banal, and that if we want good music we should not buy Monkee records.
Mike: I do think the More Monkees album is probably the worst in the history of the world - but we really think of Headquarters as our first album! We're putting more time and effort into our discs now - and I think we produce music that makes people happy. The Beatles create music to make people think.

Rumor: Micky is very bored with the TV show.
Micky: Hey, no - I'm having a ball doing it - and it's especially exciting this season, cos we're doing some straight adventure shows along with the regular comedy episodes.

Rumor: The Monkees are all hippies!
Mike: We're all very peaceful people - very anti-kill, and while we're entertaining we like to put over a few good thoughts if we can - but the only notable significance I've seen from Hippies and Flower Children is that I get my mailbox stuffed full of flowers every morning. That's kind of nice!

Rumor: The Who play your instruments and sing your songs. What do you have to say about that?
Mike: Who?

Rumor: Is it true that Davy has a twin brother who is also in show biz?
Mike and Peter and Micky: No!no!no!no!no! One Davy Jones is enough!

Rumor: Davy is going to repeat the role he played in "Oliver" when they make the movie.
Davy: It choked me up, luvs, it really did. I would have loved to play that part - but being a Monkee is a full-time job, and I couldn't get away long enough to do the movie. I'll tell you this - whoever does get the role will win an Oscar!

Rumor: I met a girl in Memphis who said she's married to Micky. She even showed me the wedding ring he gave her!!!
Micky: You know, that's very strange - cuz I never met a girl in Memphis who said she was married to me! She must have been puttin' you on.

Rumor: The Monkees will never really be friends.
Peter: It's not like we grew up together, like John Lennon and Paul McCartney. But we do get along very well. We have arguments sometimes - all friends do - but I think we'll be friends forever!

Rumor: Davy will play the drums sometimes on the new season.
Davy: I play drums some of the time in our concerts - and there's a plan for me to take over on drums completely so Micky can move up front to perform!

Rumor: Mike and Phyllis are expecting a new little monkee.
Mike: That's absolutely false - we're not expecting a monkee, we're expecting a baby. (In December)