Micky Dolenz at B.B. Kings – July, 30, 2014

by Fred Velez

Micky Dolenz and his band returned to B.B. King’s in New York City on July 30th, 2014 and presented a super-charged show to a packed audience. WAXQ-FM DJ Jim Kerr introduced Micky and the band which included Micky’s sister Coco on background vocals. Starting with a one-two punch of ‘Mary, Mary’ and ‘Steppin’ Stone’, Micky got the show rocking from the start. Fans noticed that Micky was wearing a black hand bandage on his left hand and he explained two versions of why he was wearing it. The ‘boring’ version was that he had accidentally sliced his hand while cutting a nectarine and had to get some stitches which prevented him from playing the guitar on this tour. The ‘exciting’ version was that Micky was attacked by Somali pirates while having drinks at a resturant and fended them off with the little plastic sword from his martini (three olives), and one got him! The ‘exciting’ version generated big laughs from the fans.

The hits kept coming with ‘That Was Then, This Is Now’, ‘Clarksville’, ‘D.W. Washburn’, Micky’s cover of Chuck Berry’s ‘Johnny B. Goode’ which he explained was his audition piece for the Monkees. Micky recounted the Monkees/Jimi Hendrix story with an excerpt of ‘Purple Haze’ with the Monkees’ fans cries of ‘We Want Davy!’. Micky brought Coco up to share the stage with him in a beautiful rendition of the Everly Brother ‘Crying In The Rain’ and Coco took a solo turn with covers of the Linda Ronstadt version of Michael Nesmith’s ‘Different Drum’ and the Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit’.

Micky and Coco Dolenz

Micky and the band did a moving version of Davy Jones’ signature song ‘Daydream Believer’ with the audience joining in, which was followed by another Davy/Monkees’ song ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You’. Micky then told the story of visiting the Beatles in the recording studio and sang an incredible version of ‘Oh Darling’. Next up was an energetic version of ‘Goin’ Down’, with Micky picking fan Terri Clark sitting at a front table to sing a verse from the song, which she did perfectly to the crowds approval. The Show began winding up with ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday’ with encores of the Spencer Davis Group’s ‘Give Me Some Lovin’ and wrapped up with the Monkees’ biggest hit ‘I’m A Believer’, reminding the wild, enthusiastic crowd that “I sang this BEFORE Shrek!!!”

The band which included guitarist Wayne Avers, drummer Rich Dart, bassist John Billings, Dave Alexander on keyboards and Aviva Maloney on saxophone and many other instruments kept the show exciting and rocking.

B.B. King’s Micky Dolenz set list. Thanks to Katherine McGann.

Definitely catch Micky Dolenz on this tour when they come to your town!

Fred Velez, 2014
Author of ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective’