Reaching the top ten or even the top 40 on the music charts is something that most bands only dream of achieving after years of hard work. But the bands on this list didn't have to agonize over that because they weren't real bands in the first place. Check out these fictional hit makers, but be prepared to get at least one song stuck in your head.

1. The Chipmunks

The Chipmunks, a fictitious music group created by Ross Bagdasarian in 1958, consisted of three singing chipmunks: Alvin, the troublemaking frontman; Simon, the intellectual; and Theodore, the sweetheart.

Ross Bagdasarian sped up his own voice electronically to create "The Chipmunks."

The trio was managed by their human "father," Dave Seville. In reality, Dave Seville was the stage name of Bagdasarian, who electronically sped up his own voice to create the higher-pitched squeaky voices of the chipmunks. This process was so new and innovative that it earned a Grammy for engineering in 1959.

The Chipmunks released a number of albums and singles, with "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" spending four weeks atop the charts in the late 1950s. They have also starred in their own cartoon series and animated films over the years.

2. The Monkees

Hey, hey . . . were the Monkees a real band or a fake? In 1965, auditions were held for "folk and roll musicians" to play band members on a new TV show called The Monkees. Actors Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz and musicians Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork were chosen as The Monkees. The show won two Emmy Awards in 1967, and the band was so successful that they went on tour -- with the Jimi Hendrix Experience as their opening act!

The Monkees reached the top of the charts three times with hits "I'm a Believer," "Last Train to Clarksville," and "Daydream Believer." Although the show was canceled in 1968 and the band officially broke up in 1970, they have continued to record and tour with some or all of the original members.

3. The Archies

Stars of the comic strip Archie and the Saturday morning cartoon The Archie Show, The Archies were a garage band founded in 1968. Band members included Archie, Reggie, Jughead, Betty, and Veronica. Producer Don Kirshner gathered a group of studio musicians to perform the group's songs, the most popular being "Sugar, Sugar," which topped the pop charts in 1969 and was named Billboard magazine's song of the year, the only time a fictional band has ever claimed that honor.

The Archies also reached the top 40 with "Who's Your Baby?," "Bang-Shang-A-Lang," and "Jingle Jangle."

On the next page, you will find more fictional bands with hit songs, including the Blues Brothers.

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