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THE SET LIST
Last Train to Clarksville
Papa Gene's Blues Your Auntie Grizelda She Sweet Young Thing I'm a Believer Steppin' Stone Davy Jones tribute video: I Wanna Be Free You Told Me Sunny Girlfriend You Just May Be the One Mary, Mary The Girl I Knew Somewhere (Michael lead vocal) For Pete's Sake Early Morning Blues and Greens (Peter lead vocal) Randy Scouse Git Daily Nightly Tapioca Tundra Goin' Down Video: Head highlights & trailer Porpoise Song Daddy's Song (featuring Davy's vocals & the song and dance scene from Head on the video wall) Can You Dig It As We Go Along Circle Sky Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again Video: Homage to Davy Jones Daydream Believer What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round? Encore: Listen to the Band Pleasant Valley Sunday |
THE 2012 TOUR SCHEDULE
November 8: California Center for the Arts, Escondido, California
November 9: Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, California
November 10: Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, California
November 11: Flint Center for the Performing Arts, Cupertino, California
November 15: State Theatre, Minneapolis, Minnesota
November 16: Chicago Theatre, Chicago, Illinois
November 17: Lakewood Auditorium, Cleveland, Ohio
November 18: The Center For The Arts, Buffalo, New York
November 29: Keswick Theatre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
November 30: State Theatre Regional Arts Center, New Brunswick, New Jersey
December 1: The Paramount, Huntington, New York
December 2: Beacon Theatre, New York, New York
November 9: Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, California
November 10: Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, California
November 11: Flint Center for the Performing Arts, Cupertino, California
November 15: State Theatre, Minneapolis, Minnesota
November 16: Chicago Theatre, Chicago, Illinois
November 17: Lakewood Auditorium, Cleveland, Ohio
November 18: The Center For The Arts, Buffalo, New York
November 29: Keswick Theatre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
November 30: State Theatre Regional Arts Center, New Brunswick, New Jersey
December 1: The Paramount, Huntington, New York
December 2: Beacon Theatre, New York, New York
In 2011, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork reunited for The Monkees’ 45th Anniversary. Playing live together for the first time in a decade, the trio opened their anniversary tour in the United Kingdom, highlighted by a sold out appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The tour made its way to the United States in the summer of 2011. Fans on both sides of the pond were treated to a fresh stage show that featured an expansive set list, including deep cuts from the group’s catalog. “You can't accuse The Monkees of phoning it in – this was an excellent show from a legendary pop band giving out much, much, much more than they had to,” wrote Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone when reviewing The Monkees’ appearance in New York City. “It's hard to imagine anybody disappointed by this show unless they just plain hate life.” Michael Nesmith, who had last performed with The Monkees during a tour of the United Kingdom in 1997, was not asked specifically to go on the 2011 tour, but he was kept up-to-date on the plans should he have had the wish to be involved at any point. “Michael’s always welcome,” Peter told Rolling Stone. Nesmith eventually did agree to appear with The Monkees during the tour, but then there was no consensus from the other members to allow him to be a part of a performance. After the conclusion of the tour, the group expressed their pleasure with the reception they received and their relationship with one another. “This tour has been absolutely incredible,” Micky told a New York newspaper. “The crowds have been amazing, probably some of the best we've ever played before.” Davy voiced satisfaction about once again working with his bandmates. "Without Micky and Peter this show would not have been possible. I adore and have tremendous respect for them."
Once the group came off the road in August 2011, Micky, Davy, and Peter returned to their individual careers. Business issues leftover from the tour initially prevented any discussion or planning of future Monkees performances. In October 2011, Peter gave an interview to Rolling Stone saying the chances of another Monkees tour were good and that the band's internal relations were strong, but outside matters had to be worked out in private before any new plans could be discussed. Everything changed when Davy passed away suddenly on February 29, 2012 from a heart attack. The reaction to Davy’s death was immediate. He was mourned in public and private as a consummate entertainer and a show business professional. An outpouring of affection and memories from fans of all ages flooded the internet as the media extensively covered his passing. Micky, Michael, and Peter all shared their feelings about Davy in various interviews, with Dolenz in particular making several television appearances in the weeks that followed to discuss his friend of over 45 years. Michael, in a discussion with Rolling Stone, said “For me David was The Monkees. They were his band. We were his side men.” He continued to remember Davy in a post on Facebook. “David’s spirit and soul live well in my heart, among all the lovely people, who remember with me the good times, and the healing times, that were created for so many, including us,” Nesmith wrote. “I have fond memories. I wish him safe travels.”
A memorial concert in New York City was held on April 3, 2012 and featured appearances by both Micky and Peter. The duo joined the house band, made up of former members of The Monkees’ touring troupe over the years, for renditions of “What Am I Doing Hangin’ ‘Round?,” "You and I" (Justus version), "I'm a Believer," and "Daydream Believer." A private memorial organized by Micky, Michael, and Peter was held shortly afterward in Los Angeles, California at the home of Micky’s first wife, Samantha Juste. The Los Angeles memorial marked the first time that the three surviving members of The Monkees had gathered in the same room since the end of the 1997 UK tour. At the event, brief discussions were held about the possibility of staging a tribute for Jones. “The question became where to hold it,” Micky told the Chicago Tribune. “Los Angeles? New York? England?”
Throughout the spring of 2012, Davy continued to be remembered by fans, musicians, celebrities, and a wide range of members of the extended Monkees family from Bob Rafelson to Bobby Hart to Andrew Sandoval. A tribute on Rolling Stone magazine’s website helped to capture Davy’s contribution to the music and entertainment world. “Anyone lucky enough to catch The Monkees' 45th Anniversary Tour last summer can tell you: he never lost that spark as a showman, and he never lost a step as a singer, dancer or performer. That's why he'll always be beloved as a great pop star in a great pop band.”
Throughout the spring of 2012, Davy continued to be remembered by fans, musicians, celebrities, and a wide range of members of the extended Monkees family from Bob Rafelson to Bobby Hart to Andrew Sandoval. A tribute on Rolling Stone magazine’s website helped to capture Davy’s contribution to the music and entertainment world. “Anyone lucky enough to catch The Monkees' 45th Anniversary Tour last summer can tell you: he never lost that spark as a showman, and he never lost a step as a singer, dancer or performer. That's why he'll always be beloved as a great pop star in a great pop band.”
In the months following Davy’s passing, it began to be revealed that The Monkees had been considering the possibility of touring in 2012 to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Headquarters, the band’s third album and the first to be produced under their complete creative and artistic control. Monkees archivist Andrew Sandoval originally conceived the idea of a Headquarters tour and approached the band about it. In a November 2012 interview with the Ventura County Star, Dolenz elaborated on future activities the group had been discussing before Davy's death. “At the end of last year, we'd already started talking about other projects. One was an idea about doing Headquarters in its entirety. It sounded like a great idea. But then the holidays came along, and when David passed away in February, it looked like everything was going to come to a standstill.” Peter later confirmed in an interview with the Chicago Sun Times that Michael was also interested in celebrating the Headquarters album on the road.
The ever private Nesmith surprisingly began to reemerge in the public spotlight in the months following Davy’s death. On May 4, he appeared in San Francisco, California to perform a few songs at the Great American Music Hall. (Michael had also previously appeared at Largo in Los Angeles and the Crowley Theatre in Marfa, Texas in late 2011.) He quickly announced a short solo tour of the United Kingdom for October and played another brief set at an event in Big Sur, California on August 25. Through a post on Facebook, Nez even broached the possibility of reuniting with drummer John Ware of the First National Band to revisit his early 1970s RCA solo albums in concert.
The ever private Nesmith surprisingly began to reemerge in the public spotlight in the months following Davy’s death. On May 4, he appeared in San Francisco, California to perform a few songs at the Great American Music Hall. (Michael had also previously appeared at Largo in Los Angeles and the Crowley Theatre in Marfa, Texas in late 2011.) He quickly announced a short solo tour of the United Kingdom for October and played another brief set at an event in Big Sur, California on August 25. Through a post on Facebook, Nez even broached the possibility of reuniting with drummer John Ware of the First National Band to revisit his early 1970s RCA solo albums in concert.
Without Davy, most fans believed it was the end of The Monkees as a group. “There is a faint chance we'll continue,” Peter told Rolling Stone. “I don't know whether we could structure something without Davy. I had a couple of thoughts, but I don't know if they're workable.” However, on August 7, 2012, Michael posted a message on Facebook that read “We may be coming to your town.” That same day, The Monkees’ Facebook page alerted fans about a special announcement for August 8. In a move that surprised many, a 12-city tour of the United States was announced for November and December, featuring the surviving members of The Monkees. The tour would visit theatres around the country, highlighted by stops in Los Angeles at the Greek Theatre and the Chicago Theatre in Illinois, while closing on Broadway in New York City at the Beacon Theatre.
Fans and the press were surprised to hear of Nesmith’s sudden and unexpected return to the band. “It just caught us all by surprise,” Micky told Rolling Stone. It wasn't this massive plan that people had been concocting for years or months or anything. It sort of happened organically.” Michael shared his thoughts on reviving The Monkees after Davy's death. “This seems like a good time to do this – the right time,” he told Rolling Stone. “Who knows when we will get another chance?” The 2012 tour would be the first full-fledged jaunt by The Monkees in the United States with Nesmith since 1969, and the first Monkees tour to feature him since the 1997 appearances in the United Kingdom. (Nez had previously appeared for a few scattered performances in Los Angeles with Micky, Davy, and Peter in the 1980s and 1990s.) Though the group had barely communicated with Nesmith since the end of the ’97 UK tour, Dolenz reported that the old magic didn’t take long to return. “There wasn't any strained relations as far as I was concerned,” he told Rolling Stone. “Look, it's impossible to go through something like that and get totally disconnected. It's like a brother. We may not see each other for literally years, and as soon as we get back together we're immediately back into the same dynamic.” However, Peter noted Davy’s absence and its effect on the group. “Mike is much more laid back,” he told the Chicago Sun Times. “Davy was all buzzy and energetic, so there’s a huge difference there.” Tork was pleased about Nesmith’s return, though, and said that early rehearsals brought back memories of the group’s heyday. “Micky, Mike, and I went into the rehearsal studio and jammed for a few hours and I was surprised it was the same vibe as it was playing the concerts in the 1960s. I’m glad to hear Michael on his songs again. That voice in those songs in that same style.”
Fans and the press were surprised to hear of Nesmith’s sudden and unexpected return to the band. “It just caught us all by surprise,” Micky told Rolling Stone. It wasn't this massive plan that people had been concocting for years or months or anything. It sort of happened organically.” Michael shared his thoughts on reviving The Monkees after Davy's death. “This seems like a good time to do this – the right time,” he told Rolling Stone. “Who knows when we will get another chance?” The 2012 tour would be the first full-fledged jaunt by The Monkees in the United States with Nesmith since 1969, and the first Monkees tour to feature him since the 1997 appearances in the United Kingdom. (Nez had previously appeared for a few scattered performances in Los Angeles with Micky, Davy, and Peter in the 1980s and 1990s.) Though the group had barely communicated with Nesmith since the end of the ’97 UK tour, Dolenz reported that the old magic didn’t take long to return. “There wasn't any strained relations as far as I was concerned,” he told Rolling Stone. “Look, it's impossible to go through something like that and get totally disconnected. It's like a brother. We may not see each other for literally years, and as soon as we get back together we're immediately back into the same dynamic.” However, Peter noted Davy’s absence and its effect on the group. “Mike is much more laid back,” he told the Chicago Sun Times. “Davy was all buzzy and energetic, so there’s a huge difference there.” Tork was pleased about Nesmith’s return, though, and said that early rehearsals brought back memories of the group’s heyday. “Micky, Mike, and I went into the rehearsal studio and jammed for a few hours and I was surprised it was the same vibe as it was playing the concerts in the 1960s. I’m glad to hear Michael on his songs again. That voice in those songs in that same style.”
What had started in previous discussions between Micky, Michael, and Peter about staging a memorial concert for Davy eventually morphed into a small tour. Davy’s unexpected passing and the resulting outpouring of affection for The Monkees’ music and pop culture legacy played a large role in the band’s reformation. “As soon as the three of us expressed even the slightest bit of interest there was a lot of interest from others,” Dolenz said. “The ball started rolling, and the train left the station. Rhino Records also got very excited and helped us support it.” Peter spoke of similar feelings after the first Monkees tour to not feature Davy Jones was announced. “This tour was under discussion before Davy passed away. It’s the 45th anniversary of Headquarters and Mike was expressing interest in touring behind that. When Davy passed away we looked at each other and took a couple of deep breaths and said this is still what we wanted to do.”
Nesmith was philosophical about his return to The Monkees. In an interview with Rolling Stone after the plan to tour was revealed, he said, “I never really left. It is a part of my youth that is always active in my thought and part of my overall work as an artist. It stays in a special place, but like things in the past it fades in and out in relevance to activities that are current. Getting together with old friends and acquaintances can be very stimulating and fun and even inspiring to me. We did some good work together and I am always interested in the right time and the right place to reconnect and play.”
Nesmith was philosophical about his return to The Monkees. In an interview with Rolling Stone after the plan to tour was revealed, he said, “I never really left. It is a part of my youth that is always active in my thought and part of my overall work as an artist. It stays in a special place, but like things in the past it fades in and out in relevance to activities that are current. Getting together with old friends and acquaintances can be very stimulating and fun and even inspiring to me. We did some good work together and I am always interested in the right time and the right place to reconnect and play.”
Despite the absence of perhaps its most popular member, ticket sales for the 2012 Monkees tour proved brisk right from the start. Ticket sales were actually greater and faster than in 2011, albeit for fewer dates. "When we called to get ticket counts on the first day sales for the November tour, we were taken aback by how quick the East Coast dates were selling out," Bruce Solar of The Agency Group told the Hollywood Reporter. "By the middle of the first day, we had promoters calling us trying to add more nights."
Early details about what kind of structure the show would take began to emerge after the tour was announced. A press release touted "a show that will encompass a full multimedia evening of music, rare films, and one-of-a-kind photographs" and "featuring classic hits, deep cuts and fan favorites from the soundtrack to their cult film classic Head and their Emmy-award winning television series." "The Monkees have always done multimedia," Micky told the Chicago Tribune. "In 1967 we brought a full-blown film projector on the road with us and showed 35 mm films during the show. That's been a tradition all along from the very early days. There were a lot of visuals in 2011, and there will be in 2012." Micky provided more specifics to Rolling Stone. "We'll start out with the early Boyce and Hart songs, the 'Last Train to Clarksville' stuff, and then morph into Headquarters, which we plan on playing a significant amount of material from. Then we'll do material from the movie Head. I'm really looking forward to that. ‘Circle Sky' is one of my favorites." Micky also revealed that the show would feature multiple tributes to Davy Jones and that he had been working with Michael to assist in his transition back to the concert stage. "I've been up in northern California with Mike Nesmith for the last month, working with him, because he hasn't done a lot of this material in many years," he told MusicRadar.com in September. "It's a different dynamic . . . it is bittersweet. We're not calling it the Davy Jones Memorial Tour, but he will definitely be remembered, and there will be an homage to him." Addressing concerns that the band was plugging along without one of its front men, Peter was resolute. "Of course we miss Davy," he told the Los Angeles Times, "and it's sad to be playing without him. But when Davy, Micky, and I were touring, it was sad to play without Mike." Nesmith concurred. "This show, it's not about a loss, it's not a memorial. It's acknowledging the gain and the contribution that David made. At this time of our lives, we don't have illusions about what this is: It's about the good work we did."
Early details about what kind of structure the show would take began to emerge after the tour was announced. A press release touted "a show that will encompass a full multimedia evening of music, rare films, and one-of-a-kind photographs" and "featuring classic hits, deep cuts and fan favorites from the soundtrack to their cult film classic Head and their Emmy-award winning television series." "The Monkees have always done multimedia," Micky told the Chicago Tribune. "In 1967 we brought a full-blown film projector on the road with us and showed 35 mm films during the show. That's been a tradition all along from the very early days. There were a lot of visuals in 2011, and there will be in 2012." Micky provided more specifics to Rolling Stone. "We'll start out with the early Boyce and Hart songs, the 'Last Train to Clarksville' stuff, and then morph into Headquarters, which we plan on playing a significant amount of material from. Then we'll do material from the movie Head. I'm really looking forward to that. ‘Circle Sky' is one of my favorites." Micky also revealed that the show would feature multiple tributes to Davy Jones and that he had been working with Michael to assist in his transition back to the concert stage. "I've been up in northern California with Mike Nesmith for the last month, working with him, because he hasn't done a lot of this material in many years," he told MusicRadar.com in September. "It's a different dynamic . . . it is bittersweet. We're not calling it the Davy Jones Memorial Tour, but he will definitely be remembered, and there will be an homage to him." Addressing concerns that the band was plugging along without one of its front men, Peter was resolute. "Of course we miss Davy," he told the Los Angeles Times, "and it's sad to be playing without him. But when Davy, Micky, and I were touring, it was sad to play without Mike." Nesmith concurred. "This show, it's not about a loss, it's not a memorial. It's acknowledging the gain and the contribution that David made. At this time of our lives, we don't have illusions about what this is: It's about the good work we did."
Formal rehearsals for the tour began in early November. Micky expressed great satisfaction in working with Michael again. When asked what the best thing was about having Nesmith back in the lineup, Micky replied, “Hearing him sing. He and I did a lot of singing together on the early records. When we started rehearsing about a month ago, we did some of those harmonies and it just sent chills up my spine.” But the experience proved to be unusual now that Davy was gone. “I kept looking over my shoulder," Micky told the San Francisco Chronicle. “You're never going to replace somebody like Davy Jones.”
The backing band for the tour consisted of some veterans from previous Monkees tours along with some new faces. The band included Wayne Avers (guitar), Dave Alexander (keyboards), John Billings (bass), Rich Dart (drums), Micky’s sister Coco Dolenz (backing vocals/percussion), Aviva Maloney (reeds/wind/keyboards), and Michael's son, Christian Nesmith (guitar). A formal dress rehearsal show for family and friends was held on November 7 at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, California, the site of the opening night of the 2012 tour.
The backing band for the tour consisted of some veterans from previous Monkees tours along with some new faces. The band included Wayne Avers (guitar), Dave Alexander (keyboards), John Billings (bass), Rich Dart (drums), Micky’s sister Coco Dolenz (backing vocals/percussion), Aviva Maloney (reeds/wind/keyboards), and Michael's son, Christian Nesmith (guitar). A formal dress rehearsal show for family and friends was held on November 7 at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, California, the site of the opening night of the 2012 tour.
When the tour officially kicked off on November 8, the three Monkees debuted a concert that was separated into different segments. The show included songs in the set list that had never previously been played in a live setting and some that hadn’t been performed since the 1960s. A large screen behind the band featured video montages that were produced by Rachel Lichtman. The footage (from the group's series, their 1968 movie Head, the 1969 TV special 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee, 1960s concerts, as well as album covers, picture sleeves, magazines, and candid shots) was recut and created just for the tour. A video pre-show was also screened, encompassing some elements of the intermission show from the UK and early US 2011 tour dates along with newly added material. In addition, every evening featured pre- and post-show music programmed by the tour's producer, Andrew Sandoval. Sandoval set up the dates, managed the staff, and worked with Wayne Avers and the backing band.
The opening segment of the 2012 concerts highlighted the early part of the group’s career and featured tracks made famous during the first season of their NBC television series. To close the first segment, a tribute video was projected on the screen that showed Davy walking on the beach while the 1966 studio recording of “I Wanna Be Free” played over the speakers. The second segment of the show drew heavily from the Headquarters album and other tracks from the band’s mid-period, including two songs never previously performed by The Monkees in concert (“Early Morning Blues and Greens,” featuring Peter on lead vocals, and “Daily Nightly”). During “Daily Nightly,” Micky told the audience that the song was thought to be the first to feature a Moog synthesizer (of which he played one on the original studio recording). A running gag of the tour was that Michael had assured Micky he would provide a Moog for the show, but ultimately wasn’t able to deliver and instead brought a picture of one. Micky eased the band into the song as Nez playfully provided twisted Moog-like sound effects with his own voice in lieu of having an actual Moog. The third segment of the concert was introduced by a montage of clips (created by Lichtman, which had run at some shows in 2011) that spotlighted the group's 1968 feature film, Head. The six full length songs from the soundtrack followed. Davy’s song and dance performance of “Daddy’s Song” from the movie was played on the screen while the backing band accompanied Davy’s vocal (which was newly mixed for the 2012 tour). A career homage featuring footage of Davy through the years was screened after the Head set, which led right into “Daydream Believer.” Micky told the audience that during rehearsals they were trying to figure out who would sing lead on Davy’s signature Monkees hit. He spoke of a suggestion that Michael had offered in which he believed that none of the members of the group could sing the song. “It doesn’t belong to us anymore,” Micky would tell the audience. “It belongs to you.” As a result, a concertgoer was chosen each night to come onstage and lead a sing-along of “Daydream Believer” as footage of Davy dancing from the song’s original music video played in slow motion on the screen behind the band. The show closed with “What Am I Doing Hangin’ ‘Round?” and the encore included “Listen to the Band” (which allowed Micky to introduce each member of the backing band), followed by a rousing rendition of “Pleasant Valley Sunday.”
The three Monkees mixed it up instrumentally during the 2012 tour. Michael played a 12-string Gretsch guitar (custom made by Gretsch for Nesmith and modeled after his 1960s version of the same guitar) for the entire show except when he moved to a six-string Fender Stratocaster for “Pleasant Valley Sunday.” Micky drummed for a large portion of the Headquarters set and some of the Head set, and played the bongos on “Can You Dig It,” the cowbell on “Tapioca Tundra,” and the cajon box on a reworked, banjo-laden version of “Sweet Young Thing,” featuring Peter on banjo. Micky also played rhythm guitar on various songs throughout the show. Peter used a 5-string bass on “You Just May Be the One,” “Sunny Girlfriend,” and “Mary, Mary.” He played keyboards for the usual tracks like “The Girl I Knew Somewhere,” “Daydream Believer,” and “Randy Scouse Git” (Michael moved to keyboards during “For Pete’s Sake," however) and was on electric guitar for the rest of the show. Peter also played the banjo on “What Am I Doing Hangin’ ‘Round?” and “You Told Me.” Nez handled lead vocal duties on his own song, “The Girl I Knew Somewhere,” which was originally sung by Micky on record and live in concert in the past. Peter was the lead vocalist on one of Davy's Headquarters tracks, “Early Morning Blues and Greens,” a song Peter is known to be fond of and that has been a part of his solo show for some time. (Peter had also sung lead with Davy on an early, aborted version of the song during the Headquarters sessions.)
Reviews for the tour were overwhelmingly positive. The Chicago Tribune said the concert at the sold-out Chicago Theatre “was an emotionally disarming multimedia show that, for all its backward glance, felt fresh and electric.” The Los Angeles Times, however, panned the concert at the Greek Theatre, saying the show "lacked the center of gravity Jones provided" during the group's live performances. Nonetheless, the band itself appeared stronger than ever during the twelve concerts across the United States and the return of Nesmith to the fold seemed somewhat seamless. Michael relayed his satisfaction with the tour on Facebook. "It's hard to describe how much fun I am having performing and playing music live to an audience," he wrote. "The Monkees concerts are so gratifying . . . there is a reciprocity in a live show that is not approachable from any other direction than live and real time." Micky agreed and didn't hide his feelings about the fact that Nesmith was along for the ride. "I'm having the very best time with Mike," Micky told the Philadelphia Inquirer in late November. "It's not as if we weren't in contact. And it wasn't as if he avoided us. He hasn't toured his own solo material in decades. There are a few truly amazing moments on stage for me, especially the Headquarters stuff, where it's just the three of us and I'm playing drums,” Dolenz continued. “I love drumming and haven't done so in every Monkees configuration, but with Michael there, it's just powerful." When speaking about the Jones tributes in the show, Micky was emotional. “Without exaggeration I tear up every time. He is so very fondly remembered.”
After the 2012 tour, Micky was asked by The Huffington Post if The Monkees would ever perform again. "You never know. That's the short answer. I just don't know at this point, it's too soon to tell what's gonna happen." He elaborated even more about the potential future of the group in an interview with Variety in early 2013. "Peter and I would like to record with Mike again but we presently have no plans. We recorded all the (2012) shows, so there might be a live album coming out. I don't think getting a deal would be a problem. We just have to agree on new music that we'd all want to record." Michael was upbeat about the group returning to the stage. In an interview with Examiner.com, he was asked about the potential for more Monkees concerts. "Yes, we will tour again I am sure," Nesmith said. "It was great fun and the show was great. Micky and Peter are good guys, talented, and fun to work with."
After the 2012 tour, Micky was asked by The Huffington Post if The Monkees would ever perform again. "You never know. That's the short answer. I just don't know at this point, it's too soon to tell what's gonna happen." He elaborated even more about the potential future of the group in an interview with Variety in early 2013. "Peter and I would like to record with Mike again but we presently have no plans. We recorded all the (2012) shows, so there might be a live album coming out. I don't think getting a deal would be a problem. We just have to agree on new music that we'd all want to record." Michael was upbeat about the group returning to the stage. In an interview with Examiner.com, he was asked about the potential for more Monkees concerts. "Yes, we will tour again I am sure," Nesmith said. "It was great fun and the show was great. Micky and Peter are good guys, talented, and fun to work with."
The Monkees Live Almanac chronicled the 2012 Monkees Tour as it happened.
Additional photos, articles, videos, reviews, and more about the tour
Additional photos, articles, videos, reviews, and more about the tour
"One would be hard-pressed to find another band that curates its history as effectively as The Monkees do during the course of a single show. It was an avalanche of non-stop cultural eye candy on the screen behind them, including rare photos, covers of vintage teen magazines and clips from their TV series and the film Head."
- Chicago Tribune review of The Monkees' performance at the Chicago Theatre on November 16, 2012
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THE PRESS RELEASE
An Evening With The Monkees - Fall Tour Announced
Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, And Peter Tork To Perform Their First Concerts Together In Fifteen Years
Twelve Exclusive Dates Announced For U.S.
Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork return to the concert stage this November for a historic, twelve-date tour of the United States. These performances will mark their first concerts together since 1997. The jaunt kicks off at Escondido’s California Center for the Arts on November 8 and wraps at New York City’s prestigious Beacon Theatre on December 2.
The trio’s shows are set to feature a selection of their classic hits (such as "Last Train To Clarksville," "I’m A Believer" and "Pleasant Valley Sunday"), deep cuts from their first five platinum albums (including some performed for the first time since the 1960’s) and fan favorites from the soundtrack to their cult film classic Head and their Emmy®-award winning television series. The show will encompass a full multimedia evening of music, rare films, and one-of-a-kind photographs.
Since the dates fall forty-five years on from their epic struggle to become legitimate music makers, the concerts will be highlighted by a set performed by just Nesmith, Dolenz and Tork. In 1967, the year the Monkees outsold the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, they issued two #1 albums (Headquarters and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.) which primarily featured the Monkees as a self-contained, musical unit. Each evening’s trio set will showcase numbers from these albums and present the Monkees’ electric garage band sound that they developed on their mid-1960’s tours. To open and close the show, the Monkees will be augmented by a stellar crew of players to play the hand-picked setlist each evening.
These dates comprise the first U.S. Monkees tour to feature Michael Nesmith since 1969. He has reunited with the group over the years; his last stateside concert with the band was a rare private show in support of 1997’s Justus album. These dates also follow the unexpected passing of their musical comrade Davy Jones in February. Plans call for Jones to be saluted in the show’s multimedia content.
Although Davy’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Monkees and their fans, these concerts will be an opportunity to share their memories amidst the music and the movies that brought them together. Moreover, the band look forward to performing for their many new fans who have discovered their music through repeats of their TV show on Antenna television, classic rock radio, or via social media. One thing is for certain, these concerts will be a once-in-a-lifetime series of shows that are not to be missed.
Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, And Peter Tork To Perform Their First Concerts Together In Fifteen Years
Twelve Exclusive Dates Announced For U.S.
Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork return to the concert stage this November for a historic, twelve-date tour of the United States. These performances will mark their first concerts together since 1997. The jaunt kicks off at Escondido’s California Center for the Arts on November 8 and wraps at New York City’s prestigious Beacon Theatre on December 2.
The trio’s shows are set to feature a selection of their classic hits (such as "Last Train To Clarksville," "I’m A Believer" and "Pleasant Valley Sunday"), deep cuts from their first five platinum albums (including some performed for the first time since the 1960’s) and fan favorites from the soundtrack to their cult film classic Head and their Emmy®-award winning television series. The show will encompass a full multimedia evening of music, rare films, and one-of-a-kind photographs.
Since the dates fall forty-five years on from their epic struggle to become legitimate music makers, the concerts will be highlighted by a set performed by just Nesmith, Dolenz and Tork. In 1967, the year the Monkees outsold the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, they issued two #1 albums (Headquarters and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.) which primarily featured the Monkees as a self-contained, musical unit. Each evening’s trio set will showcase numbers from these albums and present the Monkees’ electric garage band sound that they developed on their mid-1960’s tours. To open and close the show, the Monkees will be augmented by a stellar crew of players to play the hand-picked setlist each evening.
These dates comprise the first U.S. Monkees tour to feature Michael Nesmith since 1969. He has reunited with the group over the years; his last stateside concert with the band was a rare private show in support of 1997’s Justus album. These dates also follow the unexpected passing of their musical comrade Davy Jones in February. Plans call for Jones to be saluted in the show’s multimedia content.
Although Davy’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Monkees and their fans, these concerts will be an opportunity to share their memories amidst the music and the movies that brought them together. Moreover, the band look forward to performing for their many new fans who have discovered their music through repeats of their TV show on Antenna television, classic rock radio, or via social media. One thing is for certain, these concerts will be a once-in-a-lifetime series of shows that are not to be missed.