The band was created originally for a comedy television series of the same name which aired on NBC , from 1966 to 1968 . The members of the group were Davy Jones , Michael Nesmith , Peter Tork , and Micky Dolenz . Assembled in Los Angeles in 1966 by Robert `` Bob '' Rafelson and Bert Schneider for the American television series The Monkees , which aired from 1966 to 1968 , the musical acting quartet was composed of Americans Micky Dolenz , Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork , and Englishman Davy Jones .