Review: The Monkees Present The Mike And Micky Show, Beacon Theatre 3-9-2019

By Fred Velez (all photos by Fred Velez)

The March 9th, 2019 Beacon Theater performance of The Monkees Present The Mike Nesmith and Micky Dolenz Show was destined to be a special show. The concert was originally scheduled for June, 2018 when it was rescheduled due to Michael Nesmith’s health scare. Between that time to this show was Nesmith’s First National Band Redux Tour and the sad passing of Peter Tork. I was fortunate to attend the VIP sound check where Micky and Mike and their band performed six songs that were not going to be played during the regular show that night:

D. W. Washburn
Different Drum
Steam Engine
Some of Shelly’s Blues
As We Go Along
Grand Ennui

Sound Check

For ‘As We Go Along’ the video for the song from the movie ‘Head’ was shown on the screen backdrop, and the images of Peter Tork and Davy Jones made the song even more poignant. Micky and Mike set the tone of what the show was going to be like for that evening with Micky being focused and funny and Nesmith being a little giddy and silly, but still very serious as he played his acoustic guitar. Their band included Coco Dolenz on backing vocals, Christian Nesmith on guitars, Circe Link on backing vocals, guitarist and band leader Wayne Avers, drummer Rich Dart, John Billings on bass, Alex Jules on keyboards and backing vocals, Paul Kramer on fiddle, guitar and banjo, and Pete Finney, who accompanied Nez on his First National Band Redux and his solo January 2019 tour, on pedal steel and guitar. Probyn Gregory from the Brian Wilson Band was recently added to lineup also performed at the Beacon show.

After a dinner break we returned to the Beacon Theatre for the main event. The lights dimmed and the band took their positions. Then from the wings emerged Micky and Michael, who waved hello. As Micky started to strap on his guitar, Nez approached him and said he had something to say to him, and he turned to the crowd and admonished them to remain quiet until he finished. Then Mike looked at Micky and softly began singing “Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,…”, and it was at that point the audience began to sing along, much to Mike’s chagrin. As the previous day, March 8th, was Micky’s birthday, it was only natural that Nez wanted to keep the celebration going.

With a light hearted scold to the audience, the concert promptly started with a rigorous version of ‘Good Clean Fun’ followed by the one two punch of ‘Last Train To Clarksville’. Micky was very energetic throughout the show and drove the band through Monkees classics and rare deep cuts. Michael Nesmith was more laid back in his performance which he augmented with his unique, dry humor. Among the highlights of the show was a lovely rendition of ‘Me & Magdalena’ from the ‘Good Times’ album. The presence of Davy Jones and Peter Tork were felt with the performances of two songs associated with them, ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You’ and ‘For Pete’s Sake’. Before the intermission a video of Peter Tork singing ‘Til Then’ played on the backdrop screen, not leaving a dry eye in the house and was a proper tribute to Peter.

There were many surprises in the show, including ‘Auntie’s Municipal Court’ which fans have had in their wishlist for years, and ‘Birth Of An Accidental Hipster’ which segued into the Nez rarity ‘St. Matthew’. The acoustic set included an acoustic take on ‘Randy Scouse Git’ and ‘I’ll Spend My Life With You.

Acknowledging TV anchorman Brian Williams in the audience, Nesmith dedicated his solo song ‘Joanne’ to him, accompanied by Pete Finney on pedal steel guitar.

Coming towards the end of the show, the image of Davy Jones flickered on the backdrop and Micky and Mike led the audience in an emotional singalong of ‘Daydream Believer’, made all the more poignant with Peter Tork’s image on the screen too. After performing ‘What Am I Doing Hangin’ Round’, Micky and the band left Michael Nesmith alone on the stage as he strummed the first couple of notes of ‘Listen To The Band’ solo, then the band returned to the stage and they launched into a full version of the song. The evening ended with ‘I’m A Believer’, the entire theater on their feet giving Micky, Nez and the band a well deserved standing ovation.

No matter how many times I’ve seen The Monkees in concert in their many incarnations, I’ve never seen them give a bad performance. This evening at The Beacon Theatre definitely rates as one of their best shows, as well as one of the most poignant now that the lineup has been reduced sadly again.

Thank Heavens that we can still show Micky and Mike how much they are loved by the fans.

Fred Velez, 2019.

Fred Velez is the author of the book ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective’

Link: Fred Velez Monkees Book