The Most Extreme Rumor The Monkees Made About Themselves and A Serial Killer

The Monkees were one of the most talked-about bands of the 1960s, mixing music, comedy, and charm in a way that made them pop icons. But along with fame comes some pretty bizarre stories. One of the weirdest? Charles Manson, the infamous cult leader, once tried out for the band. As wild as that sounds, it turns out the rumor came from a Monkee himself—and it wasn’t even true.

Micky Dolenz Started the Rumor as a Joke

In a 2019 interview with Australia’s Studio 10, Monkees drummer and vocalist Micky Dolenz revealed the truth behind the rumor. During a radio interview in the band’s early days, Dolenz was rattling off names of famous people who auditioned for the Monkees. He mentioned Stephen Stills from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Paul Williams, the songwriter behind big hits for Barbra Streisand and David Bowie. Then, just for laughs, he added, “Charlie Manson!”

The problem? Dolenz said it with such a straight face that the interviewer believed him—and the legend took off. “It just got out there,” Dolenz explained. He and fellow Monkee Mike Nesmith got a real kick out of watching people run with it. But he never expected it to become one of the most enduring urban legends tied to the band.

Why It Couldn’t Possibly Be True

Aside from being a joke, the timeline makes it totally impossible. According to Snopes, the Monkees held auditions in 1965. At that time, Manson was in prison, serving time from 1961 to 1967. He couldn’t have been at the auditions even if he wanted to be. Also, producers were looking for fresh-faced guys between 17 and 21 years old. Manson was already 30. Out of the 437 people who auditioned for The Monkees, Charles Manson definitely wasn’t one of them.

Still, the story stuck—probably because it’s so absurd. The Monkees were known for their upbeat, family-friendly TV show and bubblegum rock. Linking them to one of the most infamous criminals in American history creates a darkly funny contrast that people can’t resist repeating.

Manson’s Strange Footprint in Rock History

While Manson never auditioned for the Monkees, he did try to make it in the music business. After his release from prison in 1967, he moved to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming a star. He made connections in the industry—most notably with Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson. The band even recorded one of Manson’s songs, “Cease to Exist,” which they renamed “Never Learn Not to Love.”

Later, Manson’s name kept popping up in music. His songs were covered or sampled by Guns N’ Roses, GG Allin, The Lemonheads, and others. Shock rockers like Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie drew inspiration (and their stage names) from the Manson Family’s eerie legacy. Manson also shows up in horror movies and documentaries, becoming a dark symbol in American pop culture.

So no, Charles Manson was never in the running to be a Monkee. But thanks to one deadpan joke from Micky Dolenz, the rumor lives on—and adds one more strange twist to the wild ride that was the 1960s.