The Monkees Are Back!

by Mark Bego

Without a doubt, The Monkees have had one of the most unique, unusual,
ultimately-successful careers in the music business.  As a famed
quartet, since their 1966 to 1969 heyday, the group has always morphed
in structure.  Peter Tork left first to leave Mike Nesmith, Davy
Jones, and Micky Dolenz to be a recording trio, then Nesmith left
creating a Jones / Dolenz duet act.  In the 1980s everyone but Nesmith
regrouped for an album called “Pool It.”  Then in the 1990s all four
Monkees got back together for an album called “JustUs.”  After years
as the Tork / Dolenz duet, suddenly comes the first ever Nesmith /
Dolenz duo teaming.

Opening on June 1 in Chandler, Arizona, the very first show entitled
“The Monkees Present the Mike and Micky Show” was presented, and what
a great evening it was.  Playing to a sold out multi-generational
audience Nesmith and Dolenz kept the crowd cheering for “more” from
one of the most legendary rock groups on the planet.  Their mere
endurance is reason to celebrate.  They survived eras of disco, punk,
grunge, rap, and hip-hop, and are still in fine voice and top form.

In this two act rock show, complete with a nine-piece accompanying
band, Micky and Mike really “delivered the goods” in the form of song
choices, pacing, and infectious fun.  Since Nesmith rarely ever toured
with The Monkees beyond the 1960s this 16 city tour offers the
opportunity for fans to witness him performing several of his
infectious album tracks from the group’s heyday, including, “Sweet
Young Thing” and “I’ll Spend My Life With You.”

The program was a perfect balance:  one of the big Dolenz led
hits–like “Last Train To Clarksville,” “Mary Mary,” and “I’m a
Believer,” followed by a more obscure “deep album track” like
“Auntie’s Municipal Court,” “What Am I Doing Hanging” and “Sunny
Girlfriend.”

The second act opened with more of an acoustic group of songs, and the
Dolenz / Nesmith highlight was the brilliant duet “Me and Magdelaine”
off the band’s highly successful 2016 “Good Times” reunion album.

Other high points included a brilliant version of the Number One hit
“Pleasant Valley Sunday” and the appropriately titled “Listen to the
Band.”  Naturally the show had “shout outs” to missing Peter, and
deceased Davy, but the proceedings all unfolded with lots of great
music.  One of the best aspects of the show is that both Dolenz and
Nesmith are in great voice, and judging from their opening night show,
they have much to be happy about, by proving that if you stage a
well-paced rock show:  the fans will come!

Backstage after the performance both Micky and Mike were both pleased
to have the first show under their belts.  According to Dolenz, “This
was the first full run through of the whole show, so we’re happy with
it.”  They both have a right to be happy!  “The Monkees Present the
Mike and Micky Show” is the season’s “must see” concert for their
devoted legion of followers.

Mark Bego is the author of Eat Like A Rock Star (Skyhorse)