The Monkees tended to sound a lot like the Beatles because that's what Kirshner wanted. They had the best of the best writing pop nuggets for them, but the OG's behind the Monkees were Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. They more or less came up with the idea of that show, with the thought they'd be the stars. They were still part of it as songwriters and performers... but it didn't work out as intended.
Kinda thought this one from Paul Revere and the Raiders nick a bit of that Doctor Robert vibe.