Here's how Mike Nesmith handled Monkees mania and its screaming fans

At a Monkees concert in the 1960s, the only thing louder than the music was the many screaming, adoring fans. Monkee Mania seemed to take the world by storm when The Monkees first premiered in 1966. 

Its four members — Mike Nesmith, Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork — became heartthrobs seemingly overnight. They were rock ’n’ roll idols. For Mike Nesmith, the Monkee with the wool hat, fame came with its highs and lows.

One benefit was the money, and another was the women. Well, sometimes. According to a 1967 interview with News and Record, policemen, bodyguards, and a huge support team weren’t always enough to keep away their most passionate fans.

"Yes, they'll literally tear the clothes off you," Nesmith said. "I'll bet I've lost at least $500 worth."

According to the interview, Monkee Mania was so intense that it sometimes led to injuries or clever escape routes. For example, Micky Dolenz was trying to get away from around 2,000 screeching fans when he jumped off the backstage, slipped, and injured himself.

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"But let's not knock it," Nesmith said. "I've got a six-figure bank account now, and I never would have had that without it."

Hysterical girls fainted at nearly all concerts. Both the women and the boys would follow the band around. Some hoped for a date, and others hoped to join the band — or at least catch a Monkee moment. 

"One of the worst things, though, is the business of throwing things," Nesmith said. "It wouldn't be so bad if they just threw paper. It's these perfume bottles and things like that that worry you."

Nesmith was the songwriter of the group and was proud of his many hits on the albums and in the TV show, including “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Daydream Believer,” and “I’m a Believer.”

Despite being proud, he was also worried about what was next, and how to top the success they already had. The band was being compared to The Beatles, the show was a hit, and the group was the biggest buzz around the country — so how do you go on from that?

"By the time I'm an old man, say like 40, all this is going to be changed," Nesmith said. "Rock ’n’ roll will be the establishment by that time."

It’s clear that the band truly knew how to hit the right note.

"You wouldn't believe it, but we've raked in something like $54 million through selling merchandise alone," Nesmith continued. "The records are going crazy too."