If you have photos, videos, or stories you'd like to share, email them to me or post them on my facebook and I'll add them here!!
Welcome!
Come on in, kick off your shoes and stay awhile! This is a Monkess fan page by a fan for the fans! It's dedicated to keeping you up-to-date on everything Monkees! I am a huge Monkees fan, thanks to my older sister and my mom, and figured if I was going to try to keep up with all the photos, videos, and stories I might as well make a place to share them all! Send in your photos with Davy, Peter, Micky, or Mike and I'll post them in the gallery! Send in a story about a Monkees concert or meeting one of the guys or just your love of the Monkees in general and I'll post that too! Hope you enjoy!
 Follow me on Facebook for updates!!
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The Saga of the Sparkly Shoes
The Epic Adventure of Meeting Nez
After the show in Cincinnati I found myself standing with my mom and good friend to the side of the stage wearing an ‘aftershow’ pass sticker on my shirt that seemed to glow with significance and hidden wonder. I asked my friend if I melted into a puddle on the floor would she please mind scooping me up and taking me home to which she graciously agreed. By a wild turn of events a day that started out exciting enough- going up to Cincinnati to meet a friend and see The Monkees- had spiraled into a million daydreams that had entertained my tiny little mind for years. We were going to meet the one and only- Nez.
So there I stood. Waiting. Where were we going? What were we doing? Would I be required to string together coherent sentences when we got there? The nice guard…maybe he wouldn’t appreciate being called ‘the nice guard’…the super intimidating and muscley guard motioned us on and off we went, around the side of the stage and through the legendary, often dreamt of, backstage door.
Once inside, we waited just inside the door while they got everyone shuffled around and ready for company. Then we were off again, down the hall past Micky in his dressing room and on to Nez’s room where we were nicely greeted with a smile and friendly hello by Peter, exiting the room. We were shown in and given a place to sit and there sat Nez on a couch opposite- relaxing after the show. I’m sure my eyes were as big as dinner plates as I sat down and tried, unsuccessfully I’m sure, to ‘play it cool.’
We were introduced and he looked at us very intently. I got the feeling that he could read souls. For the rest of our time together he called us by name. I mostly listened to him chat with a few others in the room filling in my pieces when asked- always meeting those intense eyes. You can tell just from listening to him chat that he is incredibly intelligent and also very genuine and kind. You would expect most people in this situation to just glance at you and you’d be pretty sure they were thinking of what to eat for dinner but he really focuses on you when he’s talking to you- makes you feel relevant and a bit less small.
After what could have been 30 minutes or 3 hours, it was time to pack up the buses and head out so he followed us back down the hall to the door where he shook hands with my mom and I and told us he was glad to meet us and happy that we could come out and enjoy the show.
Then followed the most surreal bit of the experience- we opened the door and walked out alongside Nez to the cheers of the line of fans waiting behind the fence to wave the guys off. My mom and I are usually out there, cheering and waving. And I realized suddenly that I was on the other side of the fence- walking with Nez. How did this happen?? We waved goodbye as he greeted the fans with a big wave and I floated, dazedly, wearing a goofy grin, through the fence to head back to the car.
It was an extraordinary night for this ordinary little Monkees fan, one I will remember with a smile and recount countless times to anyone who will stand still long enough for me to get started. So here’s what I have to say to you my friends, keep daydreaming and wishing and hoping because you just- never- know!
So there I stood. Waiting. Where were we going? What were we doing? Would I be required to string together coherent sentences when we got there? The nice guard…maybe he wouldn’t appreciate being called ‘the nice guard’…the super intimidating and muscley guard motioned us on and off we went, around the side of the stage and through the legendary, often dreamt of, backstage door.
Once inside, we waited just inside the door while they got everyone shuffled around and ready for company. Then we were off again, down the hall past Micky in his dressing room and on to Nez’s room where we were nicely greeted with a smile and friendly hello by Peter, exiting the room. We were shown in and given a place to sit and there sat Nez on a couch opposite- relaxing after the show. I’m sure my eyes were as big as dinner plates as I sat down and tried, unsuccessfully I’m sure, to ‘play it cool.’
We were introduced and he looked at us very intently. I got the feeling that he could read souls. For the rest of our time together he called us by name. I mostly listened to him chat with a few others in the room filling in my pieces when asked- always meeting those intense eyes. You can tell just from listening to him chat that he is incredibly intelligent and also very genuine and kind. You would expect most people in this situation to just glance at you and you’d be pretty sure they were thinking of what to eat for dinner but he really focuses on you when he’s talking to you- makes you feel relevant and a bit less small.
After what could have been 30 minutes or 3 hours, it was time to pack up the buses and head out so he followed us back down the hall to the door where he shook hands with my mom and I and told us he was glad to meet us and happy that we could come out and enjoy the show.
Then followed the most surreal bit of the experience- we opened the door and walked out alongside Nez to the cheers of the line of fans waiting behind the fence to wave the guys off. My mom and I are usually out there, cheering and waving. And I realized suddenly that I was on the other side of the fence- walking with Nez. How did this happen?? We waved goodbye as he greeted the fans with a big wave and I floated, dazedly, wearing a goofy grin, through the fence to head back to the car.
It was an extraordinary night for this ordinary little Monkees fan, one I will remember with a smile and recount countless times to anyone who will stand still long enough for me to get started. So here’s what I have to say to you my friends, keep daydreaming and wishing and hoping because you just- never- know!
My photos from Cincinnati, OH- June 6, 2014
What an amazing concert! The guys were spot on as usual and the music was super tight! The arrangements had been tweaked a bit in places and turned out absolutely fantastic! Coco and Circe's backup vocals really added something special- especially to some of the slower tunes- beautiful! And the new videos on the back screen were really great too- there was some new stuff like pieces from the guys' auditions that hadn't been seen before and the clip from the tv show where Micky heard the phrase 'randy scouse git!' The video behind that particular song was really something too- quite a rush of pop culture! They really know how to bring it every single time!
Here are my photos from the show- feel free to snag them and run! :)
Here are my photos from the show- feel free to snag them and run! :)
Photos from the Hard Rock Casino Show
Many thanks to the always lovely Alexis Rigby for sharing these photos with us!
YouTube finds from Bethlehem, PA
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I’m a believer! The Monkees rock NJPAC
Call it a harbinger of happiness or maybe just a nice omen, but when I and thousands of other true believers descended upon NJPAC last Saturday night to discover the 1966 Monkeemobile parked out front of Prudential Hall, we collectively sensed that a very special evening was in store for us....
Written In Our Hearts Cookbook
So excited to see the first cookbooks! Looks fantastic! Can't wait to buy one!
"Written In Our Hearts is a vegetarian cookbook that is being compiled in the memory of Davy Jones. Proceeds will benefit the Davy Jones Equine Memorial Foundation that cares for the herd of rescued horses he left behind."
"Written In Our Hearts is a vegetarian cookbook that is being compiled in the memory of Davy Jones. Proceeds will benefit the Davy Jones Equine Memorial Foundation that cares for the herd of rescued horses he left behind."
Nez's Movies of the Mind Live Album Now Available
Summer Greetings!
Michael Nesmith's Movies of the Mind live album is now available online at Videoranch! This album was recorded live during the US Fall 2013 Tour.
Click here to purchase this album on CD or click here to dowload the album now!
We have samples of all the songs available for you to listen to so check them out! We also have Movies of the Mind T-shirts, Hoodies, and even Tote Bags!
We do still have a few limited/numbered Standard Edition versions of the Movies of the Mind CD which comes with a Tshirt available. Please email [email protected] if you are interested as they are no longer listed on the website.
The Band:
Michael Nesmith- Vocals & Guitar
Joe Chemay- Bass & Backing Vocals
Boh Cooper- Keyboards & Backing Vocals
Paul Leim- Drums
Chris Scruggs- Electric Guitar, Steel Guitar & Mandolin
Track List:
Welcome & Introduction of Band
Calico Triptych
Calico Girlfriend
Nine Times Blue
Little Red Rider
Introduction to Propinquity
Propinquity
Introduction to Different Drum
Different Drum
Introduction to Some Of Shelly's Blues
Some Of Shelley's Blues
Introduction to Joanne-Silver Moon Diptych
Joanne
Silver Moon
Introduction to Rio-Casablanca Moonlight Diptych
Rio
Casablanca Moonlight
Introduction to Yellow Butterfly
Yellow Butterfly
Introduction to Light-Rays Diptych
Light
Rays
Introduction to Crusin'-Dance-Tonight Triptych
Cruisin'
Danc
Tonight
Introduction to Grand Ennui
Grand Ennui
If you have any questions about these or any of our other products, please call us at 831-384-8800 or email us at [email protected].
Sincerely,
The Videoranch Foreman
Michael Nesmith's Movies of the Mind live album is now available online at Videoranch! This album was recorded live during the US Fall 2013 Tour.
Click here to purchase this album on CD or click here to dowload the album now!
We have samples of all the songs available for you to listen to so check them out! We also have Movies of the Mind T-shirts, Hoodies, and even Tote Bags!
We do still have a few limited/numbered Standard Edition versions of the Movies of the Mind CD which comes with a Tshirt available. Please email [email protected] if you are interested as they are no longer listed on the website.
The Band:
Michael Nesmith- Vocals & Guitar
Joe Chemay- Bass & Backing Vocals
Boh Cooper- Keyboards & Backing Vocals
Paul Leim- Drums
Chris Scruggs- Electric Guitar, Steel Guitar & Mandolin
Track List:
Welcome & Introduction of Band
Calico Triptych
Calico Girlfriend
Nine Times Blue
Little Red Rider
Introduction to Propinquity
Propinquity
Introduction to Different Drum
Different Drum
Introduction to Some Of Shelly's Blues
Some Of Shelley's Blues
Introduction to Joanne-Silver Moon Diptych
Joanne
Silver Moon
Introduction to Rio-Casablanca Moonlight Diptych
Rio
Casablanca Moonlight
Introduction to Yellow Butterfly
Yellow Butterfly
Introduction to Light-Rays Diptych
Light
Rays
Introduction to Crusin'-Dance-Tonight Triptych
Cruisin'
Danc
Tonight
Introduction to Grand Ennui
Grand Ennui
If you have any questions about these or any of our other products, please call us at 831-384-8800 or email us at [email protected].
Sincerely,
The Videoranch Foreman
Exclusive: The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz Will Star in New Play by “Simpsons” Writer
Here comes Micky Dolenz, actor, singer, and most importantly, star of The Monkees, our favorite group from the mid 60s. Micky has signed to star in a new play by four time Emmy winner Mike Reiss, one half of the famous duo (with Al Jean) who has been writing and producing “The Simpsons” since George Bush was president. The first George Bush...
Almost 50 years later, The Monkees are still monkeying around
Hey, hey, they're The Monkees, and almost 50 years after their television debut, they're still monkeying around – and you better believe they don't seem particularly interested in stopping anytime soon....
Micky Dolenz Reflects on a Life With (and Apart From) The Monkees
By the mid-’80s, The Monkees were far from Micky Dolenz’s mind. Though the singer had dabbled in a few Monkees tie-in projects in the years following the made-for-TV band’s split, he eventually put the group behind him as he cobbled together a busy second career in television production between acting gigs. He’d been living in England when The Monkees resurgence broke, and it was as much a surprise to him as it was to anybody else. “Somebody told me, ‘The Monkees’ is on MTV,” Dolenz recalls, “and I said, ‘What’s MTV?’”....
Peter Tork - He's Not the Dummy. A Monkees Interview Part 1
Peter Tork's musical career is pretty well known: Former Greenwich Village folkie heads out to California where his friend Stephen Stills tells him about an audition for a television show about a band. (Stills had been rejected because of his hair and teeth.) The show turns out to be The Monkees which starts out like a made-up band, becomes huge and breaks beyond their studio-constructed identity to something where all four members gain creative control. Their albums begin as pretty good bubblegum pop and evolve into something more on the level with what Tork's pal Stills was doing with Buffalo Springfield...
The Monkees: The group that wouldn’t go away
It was supposed to be just a television show. Then after millions of records were sold, people said The Monkees were still just a shooting star from the Sixties soon to be relegated to the nostalgia scrap heap.
Oh how those people were wrong...
Oh how those people were wrong...
YouTube finds from Huntington, NY
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3rd Stop- Newark, NJ!
Thanks a million to the super sweet Laura Adams for sharing these great photos with us!
YouTube finds for Newark, NJ...
Wowzas! All uploaded by YouTube user Cindy Ferrier!
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Second Stop- Atlantic City, NJ
Thanks so much to the awesome John G. Anderson for sharing these wonderful photos with us!
Interviewing Micky Dolenz: The Monkees is just a role for him -- but role of his life
Micky Dolenz doesn’t always Monkey around.
The drummer of the famed TV show band The Monkees, which was so popular in the late 1960s that it outsold The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, says he sees his spot in the band as just a role, similar to ones he’s played in “Aida” and “Grease” on Broadway and “Hairspray” in London.
And yet, there’s no denying it was the role of Dolenz’s life — so much so that, more than 45 years after the series was canceled, Dolenz again finds himself on a tour with fellow Monkees Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith...
The drummer of the famed TV show band The Monkees, which was so popular in the late 1960s that it outsold The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, says he sees his spot in the band as just a role, similar to ones he’s played in “Aida” and “Grease” on Broadway and “Hairspray” in London.
And yet, there’s no denying it was the role of Dolenz’s life — so much so that, more than 45 years after the series was canceled, Dolenz again finds himself on a tour with fellow Monkees Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith...
Peter Tork Talks About The Monkees' 2014 Tour and Reuniting with Old Friends
When Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and the late Davy Jones were cast as four struggling band members in the quirky sitcom The Monkees (1966-1968), few people expected they would still be rocking over four decades later. While all have enjoyed successful solo careers, this month, Tork, Dolenz, and Nesmith are hitting the road together, embracing their pop culture legacy, and giving fans a highly anticipated and much loved dose of The Monkees. In an exclusive for Parade.com, Peter Tork recently shared with me his thoughts on the The Monkees’ 2014 tour, the fans, and reuniting with his former bandmates...
YouTube finds from the first night
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First stop on the tour- Hampton, NH!
Big thanks to the wonderful Katharine McGann for sharing these great photos with us!
My plea to get The Monkees on The Tonight Show
Got a little creative the other day and put this video together to try to get the guys on The Tonight Show! It's got lots of Tonight Show references in it if you get a bit confused! You can tweet the show at @jimmyfallon and @FallonTonight or post to their facebook page!
2014 Tour Dates
Thu. May 22: Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton, NH
Fri. May 23: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa – The Music Box, Atlantic City, NJ
Sat. May 24: New Jersey PAC, Newark, NJ
Sun. May 25: The Paramount, Huntington, NY
Tue. May 27: Sands Bethlehem Event Center, Bethlehem (Philadelphia), PA
Wed. May 28: The Palace Theater, Greensburg (Pittsburg), PA
Fri. May 30: Fox Theater, Detroit, MI
Sat. May 31: Star Plaza Theater, Merrillville, IN
Sun. Jun. 1: Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, WI
Mon. Jun. 2: Weesner Family Amphitheater (Music in the Zoo Concert Series), Minneapolis, MN
Wed. Jun. 4: Uptown Theater, Kansas City, MO
Thu. Jun. 5: FOX Theater, St. Louis, MO
Fri. Jun. 6: PNC Pavillion at Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH
Sat. Jun. 7: Hard Rock Live, Northfield (Cleveland), OH
Fri. May 23: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa – The Music Box, Atlantic City, NJ
Sat. May 24: New Jersey PAC, Newark, NJ
Sun. May 25: The Paramount, Huntington, NY
Tue. May 27: Sands Bethlehem Event Center, Bethlehem (Philadelphia), PA
Wed. May 28: The Palace Theater, Greensburg (Pittsburg), PA
Fri. May 30: Fox Theater, Detroit, MI
Sat. May 31: Star Plaza Theater, Merrillville, IN
Sun. Jun. 1: Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, WI
Mon. Jun. 2: Weesner Family Amphitheater (Music in the Zoo Concert Series), Minneapolis, MN
Wed. Jun. 4: Uptown Theater, Kansas City, MO
Thu. Jun. 5: FOX Theater, St. Louis, MO
Fri. Jun. 6: PNC Pavillion at Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH
Sat. Jun. 7: Hard Rock Live, Northfield (Cleveland), OH
The Official Monkees Convention 2014
From Rhino Entertainment...
Between Rhino Handmade reissuing The Monkees Present and Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork taking the stage together and touring throughout July and August, the summer of 2013 provided Monkees fans a couple of pretty great months. After that, though, the guys went their separate ways – maybe you caught Mr. Nesmith on his solo tour a few months back – so it’s been pretty quiet on the Monkees front.
If you’re in desperate need of a fix, then you’d better check your calendar and see what you’ve got going on between March 14 – 16 that you’re going to have to cancel, because that’s when the Monkees’ Official 2014 Convention – a co-presentation between Then and Now Productions and your friends here at Rhino – takes place in at the Hilton Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The two biggest reasons to attend? Both Mr. Dolenz and Mr. Nesmith will be there.
Ah, we’ve got your attention now, haven’t we? And there’s more! It’s a full-on family affair, with Micky and Michael’s respective broods coming with them: Georgia, Ami, Emily and Charlotte Dolenz are set to attend, as are Jonathan, Jessica, and Christian Nesmith, with Circe Link and the Christian Nesmith Band set to perform as well. Then there’s singer/songwriter Bobby Hart, Monkees historians Andrew Sandoval (who’s written and sung some pretty nice pop tunes in his own right) and Eric Lefcowitz, famed Monkees photographer Henry Diltz, Billy J. Kramer, the 1910 Fruit Gum Company, the Blue Meanies, the Characters, and many other musicians, singers, and celebrity guests. (You can find a full guest list here.)
Tickets are $55 per day, $160 for a weekend pass that includes all three days, and $260 for a weekend VIP pass, which – in addition to getting you in the door – also provides you with early admission as well as reserved seating in rows 3-20 for all ballroom events. And if you’re a real big spender, why not consider the Sunday Champagne VIP Brunch? Sure, it’ll set you back $500, but you get the weekend VIP pass with reserved seating in the second and third rows, and you get to attend a champagne brunch with some of the celebrity guests.
To order your tickets, all you have to do is click here, but just to let you know, if you’re on the fence about the brunch, you’d better get off of it pretty quick: the package is only available in advance, and since the Saturday Champagne VIP Brunch already sold out, you’d better get in on the opportunity while the getting’s good. Otherwise, you’ll be singing “This Just Doesn’t Seem to Be My Day” and meaning every word of it.
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-monkees-official-2014-convention-tickets-3683318906
Between Rhino Handmade reissuing The Monkees Present and Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork taking the stage together and touring throughout July and August, the summer of 2013 provided Monkees fans a couple of pretty great months. After that, though, the guys went their separate ways – maybe you caught Mr. Nesmith on his solo tour a few months back – so it’s been pretty quiet on the Monkees front.
If you’re in desperate need of a fix, then you’d better check your calendar and see what you’ve got going on between March 14 – 16 that you’re going to have to cancel, because that’s when the Monkees’ Official 2014 Convention – a co-presentation between Then and Now Productions and your friends here at Rhino – takes place in at the Hilton Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The two biggest reasons to attend? Both Mr. Dolenz and Mr. Nesmith will be there.
Ah, we’ve got your attention now, haven’t we? And there’s more! It’s a full-on family affair, with Micky and Michael’s respective broods coming with them: Georgia, Ami, Emily and Charlotte Dolenz are set to attend, as are Jonathan, Jessica, and Christian Nesmith, with Circe Link and the Christian Nesmith Band set to perform as well. Then there’s singer/songwriter Bobby Hart, Monkees historians Andrew Sandoval (who’s written and sung some pretty nice pop tunes in his own right) and Eric Lefcowitz, famed Monkees photographer Henry Diltz, Billy J. Kramer, the 1910 Fruit Gum Company, the Blue Meanies, the Characters, and many other musicians, singers, and celebrity guests. (You can find a full guest list here.)
Tickets are $55 per day, $160 for a weekend pass that includes all three days, and $260 for a weekend VIP pass, which – in addition to getting you in the door – also provides you with early admission as well as reserved seating in rows 3-20 for all ballroom events. And if you’re a real big spender, why not consider the Sunday Champagne VIP Brunch? Sure, it’ll set you back $500, but you get the weekend VIP pass with reserved seating in the second and third rows, and you get to attend a champagne brunch with some of the celebrity guests.
To order your tickets, all you have to do is click here, but just to let you know, if you’re on the fence about the brunch, you’d better get off of it pretty quick: the package is only available in advance, and since the Saturday Champagne VIP Brunch already sold out, you’d better get in on the opportunity while the getting’s good. Otherwise, you’ll be singing “This Just Doesn’t Seem to Be My Day” and meaning every word of it.
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-monkees-official-2014-convention-tickets-3683318906
Will a New Monkee Album Happen?
"The Monkees have not released an album of original material since 1996. That year, all four members of the group recorded a dozen new songs that ultimately became Justus. In interviews during the lead-up to the 2013 tour, however, Michael and Micky both alluded to the potential for a fresh Monkees album..."
Make sure you head over to monkeesconcerts.com and check out this great article and make sure to cast your vote in the poll!
Make sure you head over to monkeesconcerts.com and check out this great article and make sure to cast your vote in the poll!
Micky in concert at Mount Dora Library Association
March 1, 2014 at 7 p.m.
Christian Home & Bible School Field House
301 W. 13th St., Mount Dora, FL
Use entrance at Jackson and Donnelly Street
Tickets:
General Admission $35
SOLD OUT VIP $60 Rows 3 thru 5 Priority Parking Third group in line for Meet & Greet
SOLD OUT Patron $100 Rows 1 & 2 Priority Parking Second group on line for Meet & Greet
Christian Home & Bible School Field House
301 W. 13th St., Mount Dora, FL
Use entrance at Jackson and Donnelly Street
Tickets:
General Admission $35
SOLD OUT VIP $60 Rows 3 thru 5 Priority Parking Third group in line for Meet & Greet
SOLD OUT Patron $100 Rows 1 & 2 Priority Parking Second group on line for Meet & Greet
Micky to Perform at the Ella Awards
Micky will be at the Ella Awards in Beverly Hills, Thursday, February 20. A limited number of tickets are available for $100. If you're in the area, head out and join the fun!
Peter's Birthday Video
I've decided to try to put together Birthday videos for the guys this year with wishes from fans! Here's a link to see Peter's! Thanks a million to all you wonderful people who contributed! You rock my socks off! :)
The passing of Samantha Dolenz
So very sorry to hear of the passing of this beautiful lady, the girl in the yellow dress...
"It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Samantha Dolenz, today, February 5th, 2014.
She suffered a major stoke on Sunday night whilst asleep and never recovered.
She will be deeply missed by all of her family and friends."
-Micky's Facebook
"It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Samantha Dolenz, today, February 5th, 2014.
She suffered a major stoke on Sunday night whilst asleep and never recovered.
She will be deeply missed by all of her family and friends."
-Micky's Facebook
Papa Nez Live in Franklin, TN
My mom and I got to see Mike's show Monday in Franklin and it was fantastic!!
From the moment he waltzed on stage in those glittery shoes of awesomeness until the final bow, he had the whole house captivated. Who knew that such a musical powerhouse could live behind such an unassuming and mischievous grin? He would smile and look somewhat surprised that we liked each set of amazing songs before launching into a new story, a new "movie of the mind," that would set us up for the next set. The stories were like starting with a blank page in your mind and then watching all the details being slowly drawn and colored in by his words. And then the picture would jump to life as the music started!
His voice was amazing as always, I closed my eyes a couple of times and could see the 20-something young man in jeans and a button up shirt with that wave of hair and wool hat standing before me. He may be a smidgen older now but the twinkle in his eye and the voice complete with all those swinging high notes is very much the same!
Not only did he sing and play guitar amazingly but so did the rest of the band! Wowza! They are...Paul Leim on drums, Joe Chemay on bass, Chris Scruggs on steel, mandolin, guitar, and anything else you can dig up it seems, and Boh Cooper on keys. Boh has got to be having an absolute blast because the smile on his face was about a mile wide and those dance moves were rockin'! I also play keys, on a much simpler level, so I loved watching him go! Joe had some very nice thumpin' bass rhythms and Paul was great on drums- especially his solo in Listen To The Band! And Chris, well my goodness that boy can play- everything!
Setlist (all written by the great and powerful Nez)...
Encore:
From the moment he waltzed on stage in those glittery shoes of awesomeness until the final bow, he had the whole house captivated. Who knew that such a musical powerhouse could live behind such an unassuming and mischievous grin? He would smile and look somewhat surprised that we liked each set of amazing songs before launching into a new story, a new "movie of the mind," that would set us up for the next set. The stories were like starting with a blank page in your mind and then watching all the details being slowly drawn and colored in by his words. And then the picture would jump to life as the music started!
His voice was amazing as always, I closed my eyes a couple of times and could see the 20-something young man in jeans and a button up shirt with that wave of hair and wool hat standing before me. He may be a smidgen older now but the twinkle in his eye and the voice complete with all those swinging high notes is very much the same!
Not only did he sing and play guitar amazingly but so did the rest of the band! Wowza! They are...Paul Leim on drums, Joe Chemay on bass, Chris Scruggs on steel, mandolin, guitar, and anything else you can dig up it seems, and Boh Cooper on keys. Boh has got to be having an absolute blast because the smile on his face was about a mile wide and those dance moves were rockin'! I also play keys, on a much simpler level, so I loved watching him go! Joe had some very nice thumpin' bass rhythms and Paul was great on drums- especially his solo in Listen To The Band! And Chris, well my goodness that boy can play- everything!
Setlist (all written by the great and powerful Nez)...
- Calico Girlfriend
- Nine Times Blue
- Little Red Rider
- Propinquity (I've Just Begun To Care)
- Tomorrow And Me
- Different Drum
- Some of Shelly's Blues
- Joanne
- Silver Moon
- Rio
- Casablanca Moonlight
- Yellow Butterfly
- Light
- Rays
- Cruisin'
- Dance
- Tonight
- Grand Ennui
Encore:
- Rising In Love
- Listen To The Band
My Two Cents on the Monkees/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Debate
There is always a debate going on about the validity of The Monkees and whether or not they should be inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There are always dissenters in these discussions and I always assumed that they must have several valid arguments. I started doing a bit of research to check up on some of these arguments and this is what I've found...
The Monkees didn't play their own instruments...
Mike, Peter, and Micky all played guitar before joining the Monkees. Mike was playing gigs as Michael Blessing, released several singles with Highness, Omnibus, Edan, and Colpix, and was hired on to a publishing company for his song writing. Micky was doing local gigs with a group called The Missing Links. Peter was involved in the folk scene in Greenwich Village with guys like Stephen Stills. Davy was an established singer on Broadway and had released an album with Colpix.
They didn't play the tracks for their first two records for obvious reasons- they were busy making a television show. So, a group of musicians called The Wrecking Crew was brought in to play the backing tracks to these albums. This was common practice in the day, though little talked about. The same musicians that played for The Monkees albums also played for The Mamas and The Papas (California Dreaming, Creeque Alley, Dedicated to the One, Monday, Monday), The Beach Boys (California Girls, Fun, Fun, Fun, God Only Knows, Good Vibrations, I Get Around/Don't Worry Baby, Sloop John B.), The Righteous Brothers (Unchained Melody, You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'), The Byrds (Tambourine Man), and Simon and Garfunkel (Mrs. Robinson) all of whom were later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
By the time The Monkees were ready to produce their third album, Headquarters, they were facing criticism for not playing on their albums so, they played on every song. They had already been playing together for over a year doing tours in North America and Britain proving that they were quite capable of playing all their songs for thousands of screaming fans. As Mike is quoted as saying, "I'm fixin' to walk out there in front of fifteen thousand people, man. If I don't play my own instruments I'm in a lotta trouble!"
Peter played keyboard, bass, guitar, and banjo, Mike played lead guitar, Micky played drums and guitar, Davy played bass and drums, and they all sang.
The Monkees didn't write their own songs...
Many people think that because The Monkees had many songs written by other song writers that they weren't responsible for any of their music but this isn't true. Even on their first album Mike Nesmith is credited with writing Papa Gene's Blues and co-writing Sweet Young Thing. On their second album, he is credited with writing Mary, Mary and co-writing The Kind of Girl I Could Love. By the time they released Headquarters, the guys are credited with writing eight of the fourteen tracks.
So, did other groups, specifically those inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, write all of their songs? No, they did not. The Animals' hits House Of The Rising Sun, We Gotta Get Outta This Place, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, See See Rider, and Around And Around were all written by outside writers. The Four Tops' hits Same Old Song, Reach Out I'll Be There, and Standing In The Shadows Of Love were written by outside writers. The Byrds' hits Tambourine Man, All I Really Want To Do and Turn Turn Turn were all written by other songwriters. The Hollies started out doing cover songs before moving to written-to-order music and finally producing in-house. The team of Gerry Goffin and Carole King who were responsible for some of The Monkees tracks also wrote Don't Bring Me Down (The Animals), The Loco-Motion (Little Eva), One Fine Day (The Chiffons), Up On The Roof (The Drifters), and I'm Into Something Good (Herman's Hermits).
The Monkees haven't done anything really impressive...
The Monkees held the number-one spot on the Billboard album charts for 31 consecutive weeks, 37 weeks in total. They had four number one albums in one year. In 1967, they sold more records than The Beatles and The Rolling Stones combined. They are one of the first artists to achieve number-one hits in the US and UK simultaneously. The Monkees had the top-charting American single in 1967 (I'm a Believer) that remained number-one for seven weeks with Daydream Believer at third. Their second album, More of The Monkees, spent 70 weeks on the Billboard charts, becoming the 12th biggest selling album of all time. They were the first music artists to win two Emmy Awards. Along with The Beatles, they pioneered the idea of the music video. They were the first group to use a moog synthesizer on a pop album. They gave The Jimi Hendrix Experience their first US concert appearance as an opening act for their 1967 tour. Between 1966 and 1970, The Monkees released 121 songs on nine albums and eight non-LP singles. Members of The Monkees have participated in 18 tours of the US, UK, Australia, and Japan. When their albums were re-released in 1986/1987 they had seven albums on the Billboard top 200 chart at the same time including their new release, Pool It!
The Monkees aren't a real band...
The Monkees were conceived as a Television show. Four actors/musicians hired to play the role of a band trying to make a living. Because of their beginning, many people immediately count them out as a real band. Even Micky Dolenz has commented on the fact that The Monkees were hired to play a band. However, I think this makes what they've managed to accomplish all the more impressive. Here are four very different guys with very different voices thrown together for the sake of a TV show. You have Micky- Rock and Roll/Blues, Peter- Folk, Mike- Country/Western, and Davy- Broadway. These guys would never have met up in high school and decided to form a band. But the sound and the songs that they produced together are fantastic and unlike any other group because of these differences. No other group has such a diverse catalog of music. Each song could feel completely different simply by switching the lead vocals as can be seen by listening to some of the demos and alternate takes. Each member is a strong musician and together, they create something unique and beautiful that has stood the test of time.
The group was widely accepted into the music scene at the time and is still loved today. They hung out with The Beatles, The Mamas And The Papas, Stephen Stills, Frank Zappa, Paul Revere And The Raiders, Peter Noone, and Jimi Hendrix among others. They got along very well with The Beatles; George Harrison once said, "The Monkees are still trying to find out who they are, and they seem to be improving as performers each time I see them. When they've got it all sorted out, they may be the greatest. According to Paul McCartney, "I'm sure The Monkees are going to live up to a lot of things many people didn't expect." Glen Campbell said, "I love The Monkees becuase I dug the music." And Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys credited the guys with inspiring him to write "Break Away" and wanted "to thank them for all the good music."
Many groups have covered Monkees songs since the 60s including U2 (Daydream Believer), The Four Tops (Daydream Believer), Smashmouth (I'm a Believer), The Sex Pistols (Steppin' Stone), Run DMC (Mary Mary), The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (Some of Shelley's Blues and Propinquity), and They Might Be Giants (What Am I Doing Hangin' Round).
They have continued to tour individually and together over the years, always drawing a crowd and selling out venues for their 45th Anniversary Tour this past summer. Anywhere I go, I can mention The Monkees and people perk up- a smile spreads across their face and they tell me how much they loved The Monkees and what their favorite song is and who their favorite Monkee is. If I wear a Monkees shirt, I will inevitably strike up several conversations with people who are thrilled to remember these guys. Thousands of fans spread over four generations just can't be wrong, there is something very special about The Monkees.
The Monkees didn't play their own instruments...
Mike, Peter, and Micky all played guitar before joining the Monkees. Mike was playing gigs as Michael Blessing, released several singles with Highness, Omnibus, Edan, and Colpix, and was hired on to a publishing company for his song writing. Micky was doing local gigs with a group called The Missing Links. Peter was involved in the folk scene in Greenwich Village with guys like Stephen Stills. Davy was an established singer on Broadway and had released an album with Colpix.
They didn't play the tracks for their first two records for obvious reasons- they were busy making a television show. So, a group of musicians called The Wrecking Crew was brought in to play the backing tracks to these albums. This was common practice in the day, though little talked about. The same musicians that played for The Monkees albums also played for The Mamas and The Papas (California Dreaming, Creeque Alley, Dedicated to the One, Monday, Monday), The Beach Boys (California Girls, Fun, Fun, Fun, God Only Knows, Good Vibrations, I Get Around/Don't Worry Baby, Sloop John B.), The Righteous Brothers (Unchained Melody, You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'), The Byrds (Tambourine Man), and Simon and Garfunkel (Mrs. Robinson) all of whom were later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
By the time The Monkees were ready to produce their third album, Headquarters, they were facing criticism for not playing on their albums so, they played on every song. They had already been playing together for over a year doing tours in North America and Britain proving that they were quite capable of playing all their songs for thousands of screaming fans. As Mike is quoted as saying, "I'm fixin' to walk out there in front of fifteen thousand people, man. If I don't play my own instruments I'm in a lotta trouble!"
Peter played keyboard, bass, guitar, and banjo, Mike played lead guitar, Micky played drums and guitar, Davy played bass and drums, and they all sang.
The Monkees didn't write their own songs...
Many people think that because The Monkees had many songs written by other song writers that they weren't responsible for any of their music but this isn't true. Even on their first album Mike Nesmith is credited with writing Papa Gene's Blues and co-writing Sweet Young Thing. On their second album, he is credited with writing Mary, Mary and co-writing The Kind of Girl I Could Love. By the time they released Headquarters, the guys are credited with writing eight of the fourteen tracks.
So, did other groups, specifically those inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, write all of their songs? No, they did not. The Animals' hits House Of The Rising Sun, We Gotta Get Outta This Place, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, See See Rider, and Around And Around were all written by outside writers. The Four Tops' hits Same Old Song, Reach Out I'll Be There, and Standing In The Shadows Of Love were written by outside writers. The Byrds' hits Tambourine Man, All I Really Want To Do and Turn Turn Turn were all written by other songwriters. The Hollies started out doing cover songs before moving to written-to-order music and finally producing in-house. The team of Gerry Goffin and Carole King who were responsible for some of The Monkees tracks also wrote Don't Bring Me Down (The Animals), The Loco-Motion (Little Eva), One Fine Day (The Chiffons), Up On The Roof (The Drifters), and I'm Into Something Good (Herman's Hermits).
The Monkees haven't done anything really impressive...
The Monkees held the number-one spot on the Billboard album charts for 31 consecutive weeks, 37 weeks in total. They had four number one albums in one year. In 1967, they sold more records than The Beatles and The Rolling Stones combined. They are one of the first artists to achieve number-one hits in the US and UK simultaneously. The Monkees had the top-charting American single in 1967 (I'm a Believer) that remained number-one for seven weeks with Daydream Believer at third. Their second album, More of The Monkees, spent 70 weeks on the Billboard charts, becoming the 12th biggest selling album of all time. They were the first music artists to win two Emmy Awards. Along with The Beatles, they pioneered the idea of the music video. They were the first group to use a moog synthesizer on a pop album. They gave The Jimi Hendrix Experience their first US concert appearance as an opening act for their 1967 tour. Between 1966 and 1970, The Monkees released 121 songs on nine albums and eight non-LP singles. Members of The Monkees have participated in 18 tours of the US, UK, Australia, and Japan. When their albums were re-released in 1986/1987 they had seven albums on the Billboard top 200 chart at the same time including their new release, Pool It!
The Monkees aren't a real band...
The Monkees were conceived as a Television show. Four actors/musicians hired to play the role of a band trying to make a living. Because of their beginning, many people immediately count them out as a real band. Even Micky Dolenz has commented on the fact that The Monkees were hired to play a band. However, I think this makes what they've managed to accomplish all the more impressive. Here are four very different guys with very different voices thrown together for the sake of a TV show. You have Micky- Rock and Roll/Blues, Peter- Folk, Mike- Country/Western, and Davy- Broadway. These guys would never have met up in high school and decided to form a band. But the sound and the songs that they produced together are fantastic and unlike any other group because of these differences. No other group has such a diverse catalog of music. Each song could feel completely different simply by switching the lead vocals as can be seen by listening to some of the demos and alternate takes. Each member is a strong musician and together, they create something unique and beautiful that has stood the test of time.
The group was widely accepted into the music scene at the time and is still loved today. They hung out with The Beatles, The Mamas And The Papas, Stephen Stills, Frank Zappa, Paul Revere And The Raiders, Peter Noone, and Jimi Hendrix among others. They got along very well with The Beatles; George Harrison once said, "The Monkees are still trying to find out who they are, and they seem to be improving as performers each time I see them. When they've got it all sorted out, they may be the greatest. According to Paul McCartney, "I'm sure The Monkees are going to live up to a lot of things many people didn't expect." Glen Campbell said, "I love The Monkees becuase I dug the music." And Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys credited the guys with inspiring him to write "Break Away" and wanted "to thank them for all the good music."
Many groups have covered Monkees songs since the 60s including U2 (Daydream Believer), The Four Tops (Daydream Believer), Smashmouth (I'm a Believer), The Sex Pistols (Steppin' Stone), Run DMC (Mary Mary), The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (Some of Shelley's Blues and Propinquity), and They Might Be Giants (What Am I Doing Hangin' Round).
They have continued to tour individually and together over the years, always drawing a crowd and selling out venues for their 45th Anniversary Tour this past summer. Anywhere I go, I can mention The Monkees and people perk up- a smile spreads across their face and they tell me how much they loved The Monkees and what their favorite song is and who their favorite Monkee is. If I wear a Monkees shirt, I will inevitably strike up several conversations with people who are thrilled to remember these guys. Thousands of fans spread over four generations just can't be wrong, there is something very special about The Monkees.
You and I and The Greatest Story Ever Told
Here's a couple videos I put together for your enjoyment...
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New Monkees Wallpapers!
Made some new wallpapers, feel free to snag them for your computer! Head over to Monkees Graphics for these and others!
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My Thank You Note to The Monkees
This is my way of saying thanks to the guys for all the fun we had on the 2011 tour!!
