Like us on Facebook
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
CLICK THE FROG TO PLAY ALONG
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
LISTEN TO THE BAND
“I’ve had enough of this scene,” said Stephen Stills as he sat at a coffee house in Greenwich Village. “I’m off to LA.”
Peter picked out a tune on his guitar. “Ya think you’ll make more bread out there?”
“Dunno. But it’s warmer.”
_____
As the two basked in California sunshine, Stephen handed Peter a newspaper. “I’m auditioning. Why don’t you?”
Peter read the ad. “I’m a musician. Haven’t acted since the PTA play in grade school.”
“It says ‘Musicians-Singers.’”
“Okay. What’ve I got to lose?”
Years later, Peter Tork told an interviewer. “I’ll always have the Monkees on my back.”
***
RIP Peter
February 13,1942- February 21, 2019
I’m detecting a recurrent theme over the past couple of weeks
LikeLike
Really?
LikeLike
Happy New Year, Rochelle. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New year to you, too, Joy.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great line to finish the story with… Oh no, I see Shrek and hear ‘the song’ again. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Tannille,
What are friends for if not to provide you with earworms? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh boy, those were the days. I was never a Monkees fan in the way that others were, but oh the nostalgia for the times. Stephen Stills, was that of Crosby Stills and Nash fame or am I barking up the wrong tree here. Thanks for the memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sandra,
You are correct. It was that Stephen Stills. Just think, if the auditions had gone differently, he might’ve been a Monkee. Guess I’ve been in nostalgia mode to escape the present. Glad you enjoyed and took the time to say so. ‘
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS I’m still a dyed in the wool Beatles fan. 😉
LikeLike
What’ve I got to lose? Can be a action template for life 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Reena,
I agree. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
An interesting and delightful tribute to a talented musician, Rochelle. Well written. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Suzanne,
Peter was a talented musician. He probably didn’t get as much credit as he deserved. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle,
I love how you’ve given each Monkee his proper due. Just goes to show that if you don’t try, you won’t get… And how cool that he was buddies with Stephen Stills – who also made it!
Shalom and lotsa musical love,
Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale,
Can you imagine Stephen Stills as a Monkee? Me neither. 😉 Once I started the Monkee trail, I just couldn’t stop myself. 😉 Three down, one to go. 😀 Glad you’re enjoying the ride on the Last Train to Clarksville. he he.
Shalom and lotsa melodious hugs,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, I really cannot! I’m very much enjoying your series 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Better to have had some success than never achieved, those Monkees must have made a lot of things possible for him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Iain,
There’s no doubt the Monkees paved his way to opportunity and fame. Lucky break indeed. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great series, m’lady.
Your closing line reminds me of George Harrison’s reply to the question ‘What would you have been if you weren’t a Beatle?’
A better guitarist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear CE,
I’d forgotten that George Harrison said that. Love it! Thank you for your kind words. 3 down and 1 to go. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
As an adult I like Mike N the best, but as a kid, Peter was always my favorite. Yep, I’m sure he did have a hard time with that Monkee on his back. Look where Stephen Stills went with his career…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Trent,
Like any other adolescent girl I found Davy irresistible. At the same time there was something mysterious and attractive about Micky. I think that Monkee on Peter’s back might have had its disadvantages but it didn’t hurt is career any, did it? 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
He did have a great career while that band lasted, but it was hard to take him serious after it was all over, which is a shame since was very talented.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. Steven Stills? I would never have imagined them as friends before “Their break”. Can you see those two as a duo? Thanks for the info. I never knew. Good job.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jan,
Can you imagine Stephen Stills as a Monkee? I’d say their lives took them in the directions they were supposed to go. Thanks, m,luv.
LikeLike
Someone got sucked into her Monkees research last week! You know I love your historical vignettes, Rochelle. They always leave me wanting more (in a good way).
J
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jen,
Actually she was sucked into the Monkees research two weeks ago. Started with one and then, what the heck, I’ll do something about each of them. 😉 https://rochellewisoff.com/2020/12/30/1-january-2021/ Glad I left you wanting more. Makes me happy. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Oh, I missed that one! I’m glad they all get a fair crack. My sons are big fans of even-handedness!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lots of Monkee business out there lately, Rochelle :). I was never a big fan, and I should probably find some videos and give them a listen. Maybe they’re better than I thought they were!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Linda,
I’m kind of a latent Monkees fan as I’ve learned more of their story Had it not been for NBC these four random guys would never have formed a band, in fact Mike Nesmith admits he didn’t like Peter Tork.
I’ll admit to the Monkee business. I started with Davy and felt like I should give the other three equal time. 3 down. 1 to go. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your Monkee moments just keep coming! I wonder what we’ll learn next week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Keith,
Take heart. There were only four Monkees. 😉 Three down and one to go. And you’ll just have to come back next week for the answer to your question. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t get enough of The Monkees – keep up the good work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You seem to be having a Monkee of a month.
Is Stephen Stills the Stills of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and sometimes Young? It’s always interesting to me when people start at a similar point and take different paths to find their success.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Nobbin,
It just seemed to be the time to Monkee around. 😉 Yes. That Stephen Stills. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle,
What an entertaining bit of history! Imagine just going to California on a whim and for the weather and striking it “big”! Serendipity – being at the right place at the right time with the right talent “Hey, hey, we’re the Monkees . . . We’re the young generation and we have something to say!!!!” ❤️😀
Shalom,
Dora
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dora,
Both musicians were in the right place at the right time. 😉 Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, hey, it’s the Monkees again! I like the idea that it was the warmth that took Peter Tork to LA!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Penny,
Only one more Monkee to go. 😉 I’ll admit it. You’re in for another next week. It’s where my stale muse wanted to go. Thank you for swinging by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Can ya clue me in on what software you use for your audio link? ach time up…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Bear,
I use an app called MP3 player on my iPhone. Then I email it to myself and download it and it’s played by Groove Music which I think came with the computer. Not sure that helps. It really is pretty simple.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I just discovered a sound recorder on my tracfone, so we’ll see. Maybe next week I’ll have a sound bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good pics to go with a good story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lisa. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle you are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
And … rock history is made! Love it. Have a great rest of the week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Anne,
Glad you love it. Three Monkees down and one to go. 😉 I’m having a blast with it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
More Monkee magic 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Ali,
😉 Three Monkee down four to go. Hope you’re enjoying the magic.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another story with a hidden earworm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Liz. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
I think you have the Monkees on your mind at the moment, but then they were infectiously happy, sweet, and funny. At the moment, in particuar, we all need happiness, sweetness, and funny-ness in a world that seems quite the opposite. Thanks for making me smile 🙂
i realised, looking at Dale’s photo prompt this week, that I wrote a FF 100-word cello-related story back in 2016. Here’s the link https://sarahpotterwrites.com/2016/11/18/friday-fictioneers-boy-enfolded/
About time I wrote a new contributions to FF, just to get my writing muscles going again. It’s no good me suggesting that Dale writes a novel, when I’ve come to a standstill myself. That’s hardly setting a good example.
Am working on a new painting. Bluebell woods are harder to paint than I thought D:
We must speak again soon.
All best wishes,
Sarah
.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sarah,
It always makes me happy to see you here in Purpleville. 😉 I had to go back and read your story. Interestingly, it’s very close to the one Dale wrote for this prompt. It was also interesting to see who commented on it way back in 2016. A few absentees there. sigh. I can’t believe in April I’ll be celebrating my 9th year as an FF participant.
I really do feel stalled in my writing. Not in my art, but it feels out of balance, if you know what I mean.
As for the Monkees, I started with a story about Davy Jones. In my Google searching for something else, I learned that Davy was part of the Broadway cast of Oliver Twist (Artful Dodger) the same night the Beatles debuted on Ed Sullivan. 9 February 1964. Once I did that story I felt it only fair to give the other Monkees equal time. And it has been fun. While I wasn’t a huge fan back then, it’s fun to watch some of their antics way back when,
Just think of those paintings are more difficult than we anticipated as growing pains. I’m working on one that’s stretching me. I’ve hated it and loved it by turns.
Yes, we can’t let too much time pass before the Three Graces speak again.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle,
Sorry I’ve taken so long replying to your reply to my comment. Have been immersed in my bluebell wood painting, in between long periods of feeling unmotivated. I have now finished the painting and am thrilled with it, as is my son, who is going to have it hanging on his bedroom wall when the frame for it arrives. I think that the old expression “no gain without pain” can be applied to most things creative. My next challenge is to try to paint a bookcover, when I’ve decided which book to do it for, and that depends upon assessing readership mood a few months down the line.
I’ve just discovered that the Mermaid of Black Conch, a decidedly offbeat novel that I totally love, has won the Costa Best Novel Prize 2020. It shows that I have taste 😉
Yes, Three Graces to speak again this week or next. Let me know when you & Dale are free.
All best wishes,
Sarah
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Sarah,
No worries. I understand being immersed. Perhaps you could paint a picture of Anna for the front of Counting Magpies 😉 which I’m slowly but surely reading and enjoying the ride.
No word here on Last Dance but I remain hopeful.
My week’s pretty free but Dale does have a job.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Rochelle,
I was thinking that Counting Magpies might be the one to go for, so you’ve just helped me make up my mind. Everything moves with such inexorable slowness in the publishing world, especially at the moment. I think that publishers feel as betwixt and between as we writers do, re predicting future trends. Remaining hopeful is the best we all can do.
Shall we say next week would be better for our chat, which will give Dale more flexibility re the amount of time available?
All best wishes
Sarah
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a plan although I can’t speak for her. 😉 Got that right on the publishing world.
LikeLiked by 2 people
How fun! (or should I write, “how fan”? 😉 )
Love this!
Na’ama
LikeLiked by 1 person
Na’ama Y’karah,
What can I say? I wasn’t a huge fan, but it felt only right to give each Monkee equal time. 😉 And it has been fun. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Here’s to the fundom of fandom. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the “Dunno. But it’s warmer,” line. And, look where it got them. Warmer is always better (haha). I was a Monkees’ fan so am enjoying your stories especially!! A fun story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Brenda,
Of course I wasn’t privy to the conversation. 😉 Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
“What’ve I got to lose?” is a good question to ask before making an important decision. if you can’t make up your mind, then follow your heart
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Plaridel,
Follow your heart. Well said. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Querida Rochelle,
I always felt like Peter was the shy one of the group.
I guess LA was the placed to go to be discovered. Another interesting read, mi amiga.
Gracias por su trabajo cada semana … Stay Healthy … Be Safe 😷
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Querida Isadora,
I don’t know that he was the shy one, but they did make him out to be the nebbish of the group. No doubt that was in the script. 😉 Gracias por sus palabras amables mi amiga. Stay well.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
LikeLike
More Monkees! Ah I did enjoy their tv series ! Peter was the musically talented one wasn’t he? The musician?
Maybe I have that wrong. Anyway my sister loved Peter Tork! 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Laurie,
Three Monkees down and one more to go. 😉 Actually they were all musically talented. Mike and Peter were the ones who were musicians and not actors. Peter was a cutie. So sad that he’s no longer among us. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
A delightful cameo of pop music history, I like the ad you include. I love it when you bring stories from the past alive Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Francine,
I love how the Monkees were thrown together by NBC and became a band in their own right as well as an integral part of American Pop culture. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Monkee association, I see a pattern Rochelle. Were you a fan? Did you happen to see them perform?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Roy,
I actually started the year with this Monkee business when I found in a Google search that Davy Jones shared the stage on Ed Sullivan with the Beatles. You can find that story here: https://rochellewisoff.com/2020/12/30/1-january-2021/ From there I decided the other three guys should get equal time.
I wasn’t actually a fan. I saw them as a fake band who couldn’t hold a candle to the Beatles. However, I’m a latent fan now as I’ve watched a few documentaries on the Pre-Fab Four and how they became a real band. Alas, I never saw them live.
Now aren’t you glad you asked? 😉 Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much fun!
Ronda
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ronda. I’m enjoying my Monkee business and glad others are, too. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
“Dunno. But it’s warmer.” Exactly!
You brought the characters to life, as always. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for such a lovely comment/compliment, Mags.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people