Monkee Business

A classically trained pianist as a child, Ed got his first drum kit at age 10 after his parents decided they would rather cook with undented pots and pans. They thought two years of drum lessons and sound-proofing the garage would keep them sane – hah!

After college and a brief hiatus from playing music, Ed rejoined the music scene about 20 years ago and quickly developed a passion for tribute bands. Ed grew up in the age of Rock n Roll, listening to The Beatles, The Who, The Stones, Chicago, Steely Dan and, of course, The Monkees.

Fast forward 50 (plus) years. Having played drums with four different Beatles Tribute bands, one Stones tribute band, two Doors tribute bands, and numerous cover bands (playing everything from rock to jazz to Motown to funk), Ed is now emulating the great Hal Blaine (and other Wrecking Crew drummers), laying down the back beats you remember from those great Monkees albums! And, on occasion, Ed lends his vocals to the mix, helping to round out those great harmonies.

Gerald grew up with music in his DNA — his mother was a church organist, which meant the house was never short of sheet music. Too busy to give formal lessons, she pointed him toward the books and answered his endless questions. By age 10 he’d worked through Für Elise and John Lennon’s Imagine and was hooked for life.

That obsession traveled with him — north to Alaska for college, east to Missoula where he earned two graduate degrees in mathematics, then on to Portland for several years before eventually landing in San Francisco where he works as a software engineer. Along the way he played keys in original bands and tribute projects spanning the Beatles, the Doors, and beyond.

Gerald brings a deep love of vintage organ tones to Monkee Business — Hammond B3 warmth and that classic Wrecking Crew-era keyboard texture. He’s been playing alongside band leader Ed for years, so joining this project was a natural extension of a long musical partnership.

When Ken Johnson was in his 30’s he was invited to join a band called Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’. They played 50’s and 60’s music and had a huge setlist. At the time Ken didn’t play any musical instruments! Out of curiosity and grit, Ken accepted this challenge and learned how to play rhythm and lead guitar. 30+ years later, this band still plays gigs at car shows and church events throughout Northern California. Ken then started playing with another rock band called The Cadillacs, and recruited his wife to play keyboard.

Most recently, Ken’s interest was piqued when he learned about Monkee Business. He has always been a fan of the Monkees sound, but had an especial respect for the world’s best studio band in LA (The Wrecking Crew) who recorded the instrumental music on the first few Monkees albums. Ken joined Monkee Business in July 2025 as the guitar player. He loves the technical skill, rich repertoire, and the joy of sharing this beloved music with others.

Alan Mac picked up his first instrument — the accordion (don’t laugh! … it was wildly popular at the time) — at age 5, later adding clarinet and guitar. His musical background includes a five-year stint in Stockholm, Sweden, with the American rock band Wedge, Sweden’s leading hard-rock act at the time, touring extensively throughout the country.

After returning to the Bay Area, Alan played keyboards in The Robert Grace Band and in Eddie Money’s backup band The Tomkatz. Most recently he’s been handling vocals, keyboards, and guitar with The Elmwoods and Satchmo’s Ghost, both based in Oakland.

Alan also has an album of original pop/rock tunes and assorted covers — listen to Anachronistic on Apple Music.

Mischelle started playing upright bass at age six — simply because it was larger than a trombone, which her older brother played. Sibling rivalry at its finest!

Growing up, her mother listened to a local jazz station all day, so naturally Mischelle’s musical interests followed suit. At 14 she began playing professionally with Bay Area legend, pianist Bill Bell “The Jazz Professor,” remaining a regular part of the rhythm section for the next 32 years alongside notable drummers Will Kennedy (Yellowjackets) and Willard Dyson (Regina Belle, Cassandra Wilson, Michael Franks).

Mischelle studied under bassists John Patitucci and Rufus Reid and has performed with Donald Bailey, Art Blakey, Laurindo Almeida, Calvin Keys, Carl Lockett, Buddy Montgomery, Michael Wolff, Rodney Franklin, Clairdee, Janice Maxie-Reid, Carmen McRae, Jules Broussard, Noel Jewkes, and many more.

She took a 17-year hiatus from performing for medical reasons, but it was always her brother’s wish that she start playing again. When he passed away in 2023, she decided to honor that wish.

One of her most cherished memories: “I remember camping out on the living room floor with my brother, watching The Monkees on TV right before bedtime. At seven years old, I had the biggest crush on Michael Nesmith. It must have been the beanie hat!”