Davy Jones Claimed Credit For Charles Manson 'Monkees' Rumor

Monkees singer Davy Jones has died, but his music will live on with fans.

So will his creation of one of rock's most chilling legends: The one about Charles Manson once auditioning for the cast of "The Monkees."

It's a legend still being repeated in the various Jones tribute pieces and obituaries, but it is untrue: Manson was behind bars during the show's tryouts and, pushing 30, would have been too old to be cast.

What is less known about the legend is its creator. According to Snopes.com, the alleged audition never occurred, but the website reported that the rumor's creator is unknown.

In 1999, Jones confessed to FlashNews.com that he was the culprit.

Sometime after the Tate-LaBianca Murders made Manson infamous, Jones jokingly told a reporter Manson was a "Monkees" candidate. Apparently the story caught fire because it is up there with rock folklore like the notion that Jim Morrison is still alive, that Mama Cass choked on a ham sandwich and that there is a "27 club," whose members include Kurt Cobain, Amy Wineshouse and Janis Joplin.

Jones told reporter Baird Jones that he had been reluctant to tell the truth for years because he feared it would just reinforce the false rumor.

Comments

[JohnFromCensornati]

09:10 AM on 03/02/2012

It probably would have been an improvement if he was in the "band".

[johnny strike]

08:34 AM on 03/04/2012

it would have been interesting for sure. a band is a bunch of people playing together no matter how it was formed. the sex pistols covered stepping stone. i see the bias you have for politics carries over to other fields as well.

[JohnFromCensornati]

12:12 PM on 03/04/2012

I see that your list of hand-fed political talking points serves multiple purposes! No need to discriminate between schlock and artistic integrity. Freedumb!

[Squiriferous]

01:24 AM on 03/02/2012

The "27 Club" is obviously real. Here's some neat Monkees trivia you jerks might not know: Michael Nesmith's mom invented Liquid Paper.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Nesmith

[tws9652]

10:56 AM on 03/02/2012

1. The “27 Club” is DEFINITELY real. Its members include: Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, and 37 others.

For the complete list, go here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/27_Club

2. Who you calling a jerk, jerk!?!

[obabystar]

05:39 PM on 03/01/2012

Good one Davy... RIP

[kmcc895370]

04:16 PM on 03/01/2012

Shame on you, Davie. Telling a fib like that. Anyway, who says Jim Morrison isn't still alive?? ; )

[meltippie]

02:39 PM on 03/01/2012

Big Fan...Sorry to hear this news. My prayers with the family.

[bill tuna]

02:13 PM on 03/01/2012

Good guy, Good memories.

[moinks]

10:56 AM on 03/01/2012

I had cast Davey in an episode of the Brady Bunch. I forget who's idea it was but he came to Paramount to meet me. We immediately bonded, what a nice chap. We talked about our growing familys, my three boys, his ladies. We talked of all getting together but never did. I saw Davey several times after that, I'd bump into him at various places and I'd always get that huge infectious smile and personality. I wish I could go there and pay my respects but I can't. He'll be greatly missed especially by those that really knew his heart, his wife and blessed kids...

[rocknhula]

12:28 PM on 03/01/2012

I got to speak with him at Universal. Nice guy.

[Hypocrites are Watching]

10:18 AM on 03/01/2012

Charles Manson- In June 1966, Manson was sent to Terminal Island,his release day March 21, 1967.
The Monkees assembled in Los Angeles late in 1966.
So it was plausible if not true.

[brisedemer]

09:47 AM on 03/01/2012

"The Monkees" premiered on NBC in Sept. 1966. It was off the air by 1968. The Manson murders took place during the summer of 1969. Therefore, Manson was not behind bars when the show was being cast.

I always knew the rumor was false, but that's not the point. You should at least get the timeline correct.

[sdag28]

02:17 PM on 03/01/2012

Manson had been in and out of jail before the murders.

[Andy noface]

09:08 AM on 03/01/2012

Wish they would have given Davey a little more coverage. All we heard for four weeks was Whitney Houston and we had Michael Jackson shoved in our face for years with a blame-game trial. I guess a nice decent person doesn't merrit attention when he dies! Don't hand me anything about a fake-band either; Whitney or Jackson sang and didn't play any instruments either.
I think the Manson rumor is funny...I could see them getting the funniest looks from everyone they met with him around!

[funfacts2012]

09:03 AM on 03/01/2012

Up until I read this article, I always thought it was true that 'Mama Cass' choked eating a ham sandwich. All these years I've been eating chicken sandwiches instead.

[Leond]

11:23 AM on 03/01/2012

I've just been eating what I want, and chewing it thoroughly.

[funfacts2012]

11:29 AM on 03/01/2012

Very wise. Very wise indeed. You shall live long.

[kmcc895370]

04:12 PM on 03/01/2012

...while not being drunk.

[soski]

12:24 PM on 03/01/2012

She choked on a turkey.

[gqlefty]

07:16 AM on 03/01/2012

Thanks Davy..... RIP

[Michael C Teniente]

01:37 AM on 03/01/2012

Then I saw her face
and I was a believer!

mike t.

[JenniferEccles]

06:57 AM on 03/01/2012

"now I'm a believer"

[whitechicuva]

07:16 PM on 03/01/2012

"not a trace of doubt in my mind", RIP Davey and condolences to your luved ones..

[anitafeeney]

01:22 AM on 03/01/2012

davy jones is dead my very first crush EVER oh no well i am going to cry in a corner now

[kmcc895370]

04:13 PM on 03/01/2012

Wish I could be there to console you. ; )

[anitafeeney]

04:02 AM on 03/02/2012

its very sad no i did not cry in a corner but i did play all my monkees cds my eyes did mist up though

[bellasmema]

12:49 AM on 03/01/2012

I LOVE YOU DAVY