The Monkees (1966-68, NBC)
The Lylas is the latest show to use television exposure to launch a pop musical career. But back in 1966, NBC created a sitcom about four musicians who happened to live together while trying to write hit songs. “The Monkees” took four men with some showbiz experience and made them into genuine stars: Michael Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz (a child star on a 1950s series “Circus Boy”), Peter Tork and Davy Jones (who had done “Oliver” in his native Britain) had two seasons on the air and a string of hits written by such artists as Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, Neil Diamond, Carole King and Gerry Goffin: “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Daydream Believer” and “I’m a Believer,” among them. The band continued to release songs after the series was cancelled and enjoyed reunion tours. Davy Jones died in 2012.
The Archies (1968)
Session musicians– featuring Ron Dante on vocals–propelled The Archies, an animated Saturday morning program featuring the characters from on the Archie comic strip, to the top of the charts with the bubblegum pop hits like “Sugar, Sugar.” Archie played lead guitar and sang, Jughead played drums, with Veronica on the organ, Betty on tambourine and Reggie on bass guitar.
The Partridge Family (1970-74, ABC)
One of the most successful musical TV shows was ABC’s “The Partridge Family,” which cast Oscar winner Shirley Jones (“Elmer Gantry”) as a widowed mom with a brood of kids who decided to go on the road in a yellow school bus with her five musical children. More wholesome than “The Monkees,” the series was based on the real-life singing Cowsills and launched a genuine teen idol in David Cassidy (Jones’ real-life stepson). With his shag haircut, wishbone frame and “mod” clothing, he was a dreamboat to many teenage girls who chased him on concert tours and gobbled up singles like “I Think I Love You.” The Partridge Family made 9 albums between 1970 and 1973.
JONAS (2008-2010, Disney Channel)
Think David Cassidy times three and you’ve got The Jonas Brothers. Nick, Kevin and Joe Jonas launched their musical careers on a TV movie called “Camp Rock” as a band called Connect Three (terrible name). Their TV show was first called “JONAS” and then “Jonas LA” for its second and final season. Before their breakup in 2013, the brothers recorded four albums. Nick Jonas was already singing on Broadway before Hollywood producers snatched him up.