You keep mentioning "Monkees"...you like the Monkees, but not the Beatles??
(scratches head & wonders, by the bank of his own lagoon) 
I've always thought that it's too bad Danny Kirwan never hooked up with Paul McCartney after he got 86'd by Mick back in 1972...Danny would've been the PERFECT lead guitarist for Wings "back in the day"...how great would've THAT been? Danny's songwriting, too, would've fit right in to that Wings sound, I think.
Just think:
Paul McCartney: bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals
Linda McCartney: keyboards, vocals
Denny Laine: guitar, bass, vocals
Danny Kirwan: guitar, vocals
Denny Seiwell: drums
Ram Jam City & Love Can Always Bring You Happiness on "Venus & Mars"?? WOW!!