In a conscious effort to keep Monkeeshines from becoming a "boring" newsletter,
we have appealed to Ken to answer the following questions. With a modest British sense
of "humour" we proudly present....." THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE
TRUTH." (For the record, Hazel indicated she is not so sure about that!)
When, where and how did you meet Hazel?
I met Hazel in 1950 when I moved from Liverpool to Manchester and then attended the
same church. She set out to trap me from that date and eventually wore me down until we
married in 1959.
What did you thing about David's talent and/or potential the first time you saw
him perform in a play or at a concert?
I saw Dave in several church pantomimes- a rotten little kid with his gang (Do you mean
the PFG?- ED.) of rotten little urchins who kept getting in my way. His main talent was
turning up where I didn't want him!!!
Did you see David on Coronation Street in Oliver!,or at the Monkees 1967
Wembley concerts?
I borrowed a car to take Dave for his appearance on Coronation Street. He spent his time
"chatting up" on of the young girls in the series and trying to get rid of me. I stuck with it
'cause revenge is sweet!! I didn't see Oliver. I was working all of this time, but I did go
to stay with Dave and the other Monkees for the Wembly concerts. I shared a hotel room
with Dave so I know he behaved himself, but I can't vouch for the others!
If you did see the Monkees in the 1960's, what would you say the biggest
difference between the shows then and now would be (aside from the
equipment)?
None of the guys (nor their entourage could move outside the hotel with out a riot- at
least in the 80's they were able to have a private life away from the hotel/concert venues.
Apart from that I never really saw their equipment in the 60's so what can I say??
Was it true that there was a steady stream of girls "hanging around" your house in
the 60's?
It's true and might I say Dave was always jealous about this. I believe he got the
"knack" later on in his life!!!!
Was it difficult for David to have a "normal" relationship with Deborah and
Robert when he came to visit?
Dave was always "Uncle David" to the kids and still is although at Robert's age and at his
age it doesn't always sound right.
Was David able to relax and just be himself when he came home to
visit?
No- it got difficult to go home and then he came to us and then that got difficult and we
weren't able to see him awhile. It's easier now - "David who??"
How did you manage becoming David's private bouncer on the road during the
Monkees' and David's past tours?
I thought I was going on holiday and then three days before the earlier English tour Dave
and Laurie Haley came to our house and Dave said - "By the way I've mentioned you to
the other guys and they think you should come along as security!!"
What did you enjoy the most and least about traveling on the road with
David?
The best bit is the travel and seeing all the different places. The worst bit is the travel and
only seeing the hotels in the different places. It's quite frightening to only know where you
are by looking a a list and checking the date.
What are some of your favorite stories about being on the road with
David?
I love Micky using a computor to plan his routes to various towns especially when he set
off for Newcastle under Lyne in-stead of Newcastle upon Tyne(only an hour late and
luckily there was an opening act.) I liked Dave falling off the stage in Carlisle and still
having his "mic" switched on. (Ken did you pull the wings off flies when you were a kid?
Ed.) Don't tell him I said that. He really did hurt himself.
What is the biggest difference in David now as opposed to then?
David still gets up as early as he always did- but now he doesn't "wake up" until noon.
Just try talking to him at breakfast.
Since you have retired and find time to lounge about the house whilst wife Hazel
slaves to support you in a manner in which you have grown accustomed, what
interest/hobbies have you developed? (Remember this is a family newsletter?)
I paint and do a little but of sculpture and answer questionaires from maniacs (But that
doesn't make us bad people and someone once said the mentally ill oftentimes act quite
normal!!! - Ed.)
Page 2