1997 UNITED KINGDOM ‘JUSTUS’ TOUR

Dolenz, Jones, Nesmith and Tork

(March 1997)

For updated information on this article, see the web site: monkeesconcerts.com

“Genius…brilliant.”
–Melody Maker review describing one of the Monkees’ performances at Wembley Arena in London

• Last Train To Clarksville
• Circle Sky  (Justus version)
• Regional Girl
• Sunny Girlfriend
• Mary, Mary
• You And I  (Justus version)
• Randy Scouse Git  (featuring Davy playing the tympani drum)
• Shades Of Gray  (Davy lead vocal)
• You Just May Be The One
• Oh, What A Night
• I’m A Believer
• Bach’s Two-Part Invention in F Major  (Peter’s keyboard solo)
• Laugh Kills Lonesome (or) Rio  (Mike solo)
• Lucille  (Peter solo)
• Since I Fell For You  (Micky solo)
• Daddy’s Song  (Davy solo)
• For Pete’s Sake
• A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
• Goin’ Down
• Your Auntie Grizelda
• Valleri
• Listen To The Band
• Porpoise Song (Theme from Head)
• Daydream Believer
• Encore:
• (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone
• Pleasant Valley Sunday

 

The return of all four Monkees to the United Kingdom created a British media stir. The quartet appeared on many UK television talk shows to hype the concerts.  The Justus tour played to mostly full arenas in England, Scotland and Ireland, including two sold-out shows at Wembley Arena, for one month in the winter of 1997.  The UK press is known for being cynical, and though they widely covered the tour, most coverage was negative and unflattering.  Most surmise that the double punch of negative reviews and possible internal band tension forced Michael Nesmith to reassess his position as a full-time member of the Monkees.

The first half of the show featured the four Monkees playing their respective instruments alone on stage. Micky played the drums while Peter switched between bass guitar and keyboards, Mike handled lead guitar duties, and Davy played tambourine and the electric-acoustic guitar. The backing band from the 1996 North American tour (with Sandy Gennaro replacing VJ Riccitelli on drums and John Sabino replacing Jimmy Riccitelli on keyboards) took the stage to support each individual member during the solo segments. The backing band remained onstage for the rest of the concert allowing the Monkees more freedom to sing and perform. The new songs were incorporated into the show nicely, often accompanied by footage from the 1997 US television special projected on video screens on both sides of the stage. The encore featured only the four Monkees on stage. The band Nancy Boy, featuring Jason Nesmith, opened up the shows.

For the first half of the tour, Mike performed “Laugh Kills Lonesome” during his solo segment, but switched to “Rio” for the second half of the tour.