On this day in 1965, an advertisement was put out that would cast The Monkees

The original idea for The Monkees as a television show and musical project was conceived in 1962 by aspiring filmmaker Bob Rafelson, though he was initially unable to sell the concept. The project was then idle until an agreement was made with Columbia Pictures in April 1965. 

Rafelson had originally planned to make the program with an existing folk rock group called the Lovin’ Spoonful but soon realised the band had signed a record deal, making it impossible to use their music on the television program. Soon after, Rafelson and his partners discovered and focused on Davy Jones, a star in the Broadway show Oliver! 

By September, the project was ready to find its other members, and an ad was run in the Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter calling for auditions. The ads read;

“Madness!! Auditions. Folk  & Roll Musicians-Singers for acting roles in new TV series. Running parts for 4 insane boys, age 17-21. Want spirited Ben Frank’s-types. Have courage to work. Must come down for interview.”

A total of 437 applicants were  auditioned before Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz were chosen for the roles. The series officially began in August of 1966 and before long the members were both TV and rockstars.