The Monkees

The first manufactured boy band, The Monkees turned out to be far more than just some pretty(ish) faces.

For starters Mike Nesmith is credited with inventing MTV and Micky Dolenz went on to make the kids TV show Metal Mickey in the 1980s.

The Monkees were set up to compete against the Beatles, as a four piece who could head a TV show, be stand up comedians, loveable larrikins and pop stars all in one (S Club 7 anyone?).

The first EP of The Monkees aired in 1966 but it wasn't until 1967 that they became the hottest thing in the UK - picking up a transatlantic number one with 'I'm a Believer'.

After criticism for not writing or playing instruments in their songs the Monkees moved towards developing their own sound - with dubious results. They later starred in a movie called Head (1968), written by Jack Nicholson, before going on to even greater things.