30th ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Dolenz, Jones, and Tork
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"Backed by a tight, talented quintet, these pop classics came off without a hitch. It was a refreshing, nostalgic blast of good clean family fun for the angst-ridden '90s." -Hollywood Reporter review of The Monkees' concert at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California, 6/20/96 "When we get on stage, we're so together. It's unbelievable. It's such a wonderful feeling. We've all experienced so much together. We really care about each other, and we really know how to play off each other and that's a wonderful thing, to have that sort of confidence in each other when you go out on stage. "
-Davy Jones, August 1996 |
THE SET LIST
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The set list for the 1996 tour varied from night to night but usually followed this order:
Last Train to Clarksville
That Was Then, This Is Now Valleri For Pete's Sake She It's Nice To Be With You Long Title: Do I Have to Do This All Over Again The Girl I Knew Somewhere Your Auntie Grizelda Hard to Believe Purple Haze bit (Micky) Since I Fell for You (Micky solo) Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow) D.W. Washburn Circle Sky I Wanna Be Free Randy Scouse Git Pleasant Valley Sunday Bach’s Two-Part Invention in F Major (Peter's keyboard solo) A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You Heart and Soul What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round? Mary, Mary Sea Change (Peter solo) She Hangs Out Goin' Down Girl (Davy solo) No Time Papa Gene's Blues (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone Daydream Believer Encore: Listen to the Band I'm a Believer |
1996 tour program
Also performed at various shows were "Every Step of the Way," "It's Not Too Late," "Shades of Gray," "I’ll Love You Forever," "Daddy’s Song," "Peter Percival Patterson's Pet Pig Porky," Peter's solo song "Good Looker," a cover version of Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher," and Davy’s solo songs "It’s Now" and "Rainy Jane."
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THE 1996 TOUR SCHEDULE
June 8: Ramada, Laughlin, Nevada
June 9: Ramada, Laughlin, Nevada
June 15: Riverport Amphitheatre, St. Louis, Missouri
June 19: Reno Hilton Amphitheatre, Reno, Nevada
June 20: Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, California
June 21: Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada
June 22: Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
June 27: Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 28: Sec Taylor Stadium, Des Moines, Iowa
June 29: Zoo Amphitheatre, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
June 30: Sandstone Amphitheatre, Bonner Springs, Kansas
July 1: Edmonton Stadium, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
July 4: Music Mill Amphitheatre, Arlington, Texas
July 5: Sea World, San Antonio, Texas
July 6: Tim McCarver Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
July 8: Brady Theatre, Tulsa, Oklahoma
July 12: Star Lake Amphitheatre, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
July 13: Nautica Stage, Cleveland, Ohio
July 14: Warner Theatre, Erie, Pennsylvania
July 15: Coors Pavillion, Cincinnati, Ohio
July 17: Interlochen Center, Interlochen, Michigan
July 18: Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, Michigan
July 19: Columbus Amphitheatre, Columbus, Ohio
July 20: Claridge Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
July 22: Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
July 24: Melody Fair Theatre, North Tonawanda, New York
July 25: Foxwoods, Ledyard, Connecticut
July 26: Hershey Park Amphitheatre, Hershey, Pennsylvania
July 27: North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, Massachusetts
July 28: Cape Cod Melody Tent, Hyannis, Massachusetts
July 30: Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire
July 31: Oakdale Musical Theatre, Wallingford, Connecticut
August 1: Warwick Musical Theatre, Warwick, Rhode Island
August 2: South Shore Music Circus, Cohasset, Massachusetts
August 3: Valley Forge Music Fair, Devon, Pennsylvania
August 4: Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, New York
August 5: Anderson Center, Binghamton, New York
August 7: Classic Amphitheatre, Richmond, Virginia
August 8: Virginia Beach Amphitheatre, Virginia Beach, Virginia
August 10: Walnut Creek Amphitheatre, Raleigh, North Carolina
August 11: Blockbuster Pavilion, Charlotte, North Carolina
August 14: Mankato Civic Center, Mankato, Minnesota
August 15: Bayfront Park, Duluth, Minnesota
August 16: Star Plaza Theatre, Merrillville, Indiana
August 17: Metrocentre, Rockford, Illinois
August 18: Mark Of The Quad Cities, Moline, Illinois
August 21: Stanley Theatre, Utica, New York
August 22: Fingerlakes Center, Lake Canandaigua, New York
August 23: Kirby Center, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
August 24: Patriot Center, Fairfax, Virginia
August 25: Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York
August 30: Taste Of Iowa Festival, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
August 31: Maritime Days Festival, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 8: Street Scene Festival, San Diego, California
September 13: Salt Lake City, Utah (Private Show)
September 20: Los Angeles, California (Private Show)
November 1: Vanderburgh Auditorium, Evansville, Indiana
November 20: Billboard Live, Los Angeles, California *
November 21: Braden Auditorium, Normal, Illinois
November 22: Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont, Illinois
November 23: Eagles Ballroom, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
November 29: Tropicana, Las Vegas, Nevada
November 30: Tropicana, Las Vegas, Nevada
December 31: Tempe Tostitos Block Party, Fiesta Bowl, Tempe, Arizona
January 17, 1997: South Florida Fairgrounds, West Palm Beach, Florida
January 19, 1997: Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Florida
* with Michael Nesmith
June 9: Ramada, Laughlin, Nevada
June 15: Riverport Amphitheatre, St. Louis, Missouri
June 19: Reno Hilton Amphitheatre, Reno, Nevada
June 20: Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, California
June 21: Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada
June 22: Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
June 27: Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 28: Sec Taylor Stadium, Des Moines, Iowa
June 29: Zoo Amphitheatre, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
June 30: Sandstone Amphitheatre, Bonner Springs, Kansas
July 1: Edmonton Stadium, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
July 4: Music Mill Amphitheatre, Arlington, Texas
July 5: Sea World, San Antonio, Texas
July 6: Tim McCarver Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
July 8: Brady Theatre, Tulsa, Oklahoma
July 12: Star Lake Amphitheatre, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
July 13: Nautica Stage, Cleveland, Ohio
July 14: Warner Theatre, Erie, Pennsylvania
July 15: Coors Pavillion, Cincinnati, Ohio
July 17: Interlochen Center, Interlochen, Michigan
July 18: Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, Michigan
July 19: Columbus Amphitheatre, Columbus, Ohio
July 20: Claridge Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
July 22: Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
July 24: Melody Fair Theatre, North Tonawanda, New York
July 25: Foxwoods, Ledyard, Connecticut
July 26: Hershey Park Amphitheatre, Hershey, Pennsylvania
July 27: North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, Massachusetts
July 28: Cape Cod Melody Tent, Hyannis, Massachusetts
July 30: Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire
July 31: Oakdale Musical Theatre, Wallingford, Connecticut
August 1: Warwick Musical Theatre, Warwick, Rhode Island
August 2: South Shore Music Circus, Cohasset, Massachusetts
August 3: Valley Forge Music Fair, Devon, Pennsylvania
August 4: Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, New York
August 5: Anderson Center, Binghamton, New York
August 7: Classic Amphitheatre, Richmond, Virginia
August 8: Virginia Beach Amphitheatre, Virginia Beach, Virginia
August 10: Walnut Creek Amphitheatre, Raleigh, North Carolina
August 11: Blockbuster Pavilion, Charlotte, North Carolina
August 14: Mankato Civic Center, Mankato, Minnesota
August 15: Bayfront Park, Duluth, Minnesota
August 16: Star Plaza Theatre, Merrillville, Indiana
August 17: Metrocentre, Rockford, Illinois
August 18: Mark Of The Quad Cities, Moline, Illinois
August 21: Stanley Theatre, Utica, New York
August 22: Fingerlakes Center, Lake Canandaigua, New York
August 23: Kirby Center, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
August 24: Patriot Center, Fairfax, Virginia
August 25: Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York
August 30: Taste Of Iowa Festival, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
August 31: Maritime Days Festival, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 8: Street Scene Festival, San Diego, California
September 13: Salt Lake City, Utah (Private Show)
September 20: Los Angeles, California (Private Show)
November 1: Vanderburgh Auditorium, Evansville, Indiana
November 20: Billboard Live, Los Angeles, California *
November 21: Braden Auditorium, Normal, Illinois
November 22: Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont, Illinois
November 23: Eagles Ballroom, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
November 29: Tropicana, Las Vegas, Nevada
November 30: Tropicana, Las Vegas, Nevada
December 31: Tempe Tostitos Block Party, Fiesta Bowl, Tempe, Arizona
January 17, 1997: South Florida Fairgrounds, West Palm Beach, Florida
January 19, 1997: Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Florida
* with Michael Nesmith
The Monkees and their band performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on June 17, 1996.
Micky, Davy and Peter later appeared on The Rosie O'Donnell Show on July 24, 1996.
Micky, Davy and Peter later appeared on The Rosie O'Donnell Show on July 24, 1996.
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Hollywood's Hard Rock Cafe / 1995
On January 5, 1995, Micky, Davy, Michael, and Peter attended a ceremony at the Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood. The band's first five albums had recently been recertified as platinum and multi-platinum sellers by the Recording Industry Association of America, and the group was presented with the awards by Rhino Records founder Harold Bronson. At the ceremony, it was announced that The Monkees and Rhino were committed to such projects like a new Monkees album, a feature film, and a 30th Anniversary reunion tour. Later in July 1995, all four Monkees signed a management deal with Ward Sylvester. Sylvester managed Davy before The Monkees, served as an associate producer of The Monkees television series, oversaw the first Monkees concert tour and their 1969 television special, and worked with Michael on various projects throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Micky told Monkee Business Fanzine that Sylvester was the only choice of all four Monkees. "He has a good history with us," Dolenz said. "He was there right at the beginning, and we all trust him." Sylvester was happy to take the reins. "Much of the music and film The Monkees produced was groundbreaking," Sylvester said. "Their artistry got overlooked in the bedlam. Now with some perspective, I think people are going to appreciate them all the more."
Despite the excitement that Michael Nesmith would indeed be a full participant in this new round of Monkees projects, fans were disappointed when it was announced in October 1995 that a proposed Monkees reunion tour in 1996 would not include Nez as originally planned. When his Pacific Arts Corporation became involved in a lawsuit with television channel PBS, Nesmith, who reportedly was already discussing setlists and staging of the tour, was forced to stay off the road. He did, however, pledge his full support to The Monkees, and promised to be an integral part of the band's upcoming 30th Anniversary projects.
Micky, Davy, and Peter returned to the concert stage in June 1996 for the first time in seven years with the 'Here We Come World Tour.' The set list for the show featured a mix of the band's best known songs along with select album cuts, as well as both 1980s reunion singles. Davy’s solo song “It’s Now” was added to the set on some nights, as was “Good Looker” and “Sea Change,” both Tork solo efforts. A banjo-driven rendition of Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher," led by Peter, was also played, as was "Girl," the song made famous by Davy from his 1971 appearance on The Brady Bunch television show. Unlike previous tours (except for Australia 1987 and Together Again 1994/1995), Davy participated in the performance of "That Was Then, This Is Now," and would continue to do so during future tours. The Monkees and their band performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Rosie O'Donnell Show in June 1996 to promote the start of the tour. Peter was enthusiastic about The Monkees' return to the stage after a prolonged layoff. "We're doing a wonderful show now that I like so much," Peter told the Boston Herald in July 1996. "I get to work with two classic funny men, some of the best comedians I know. The tours the three of us did in the late '80s were fun, but this tour makes those look like two rocks and a stick."
Ever since The Monkees had returned to the concert stage in 1986, no Monkees tour had taken place without the band's television series airing on cable or in syndication. Key to the success of The Monkees' 20th Anniversary Tour in 1986 was the heavy promotion provided by MTV's constant running of the series that year, including marathon showings. Due to various disagreements between television distributors and Sony/Columbia, who owned the syndication rights, The Monkees was not available for broadcast during the 1996 tour. As a result, Ward Sylvester's original plan of an arena tour was changed in favor of playing theatres and mid-sized amphitheatres. Though crowds were strong and a general enthusiasm surrounded the band's activities, the success of the 30th Anniversary tour did not match the heights of the 20th Anniversary in 1986.
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With the trio on the road, Nesmith was focused on other Monkees projects while still battling PBS. He began work on a proposed second Monkees feature film, which ultimately never got off the ground. However, during breaks on tour, Micky, Davy, and Peter joined Michael in the recording studio to put the finishing touches on a new album (Justus, released in the fall of 1996). While introducing "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" during the '96 shows, Micky informed the crowd that Nez was in the studio mixing the album, and that he sent his best wishes. No songs from Justus made the setlist, but "It's Not Too Late" was tested at a few concerts. Nesmith remained busy after the album was completed, securing a deal with the ABC television network to produce a brand new, original prime time television special to air during the February 1997 ratings sweeps period. He began work on the script while Micky, Davy, and Peter completed their concert obligations.
Sam Goody/Musicland acted as the official retail sponsor of The Monkees' 30th Anniversary Tour. Displays and posters were prominent in stores that summer, and the trio made several in-store personal appearances in key cities on the tour's schedule, including Hollywood, Toronto, and Charlotte. A co-sponsor of the tour included Carvin, who supplied guitars for each Monkee as well as for members of the backing band.
On tour in 1996, Micky played rhythm guitar for almost the entire show while Davy would play tambourine, maracas, and occasionally an acoustic-electric guitar. Peter switched back and forth between lead guitar, keyboards, and banjo. The backing band included Jerry Renino (bass), Wayne Avers (guitar), Aviva Maloney (saxophones/flute/keyboards), VJ Riccitelli (drums), and Jimmy Riccitelli (keyboards). Sandy Gennaro replaced VJ Riccitelli on drums towards the latter part of the tour.
All four Monkees officially celebrated their 30th Anniversary on September 12, 1996 in Santa Monica, California with a private party for family, friends, and former co-workers from the television series. Michael was able to finally join Micky, Davy and Peter in concert when the group played in Los Angeles in November to promote the Justus album. Later, in March 1997, the quartet played a string of concerts in the United Kingdom, highlighted by two sold-out appearances at Wembley Arena.
On tour in 1996, Micky played rhythm guitar for almost the entire show while Davy would play tambourine, maracas, and occasionally an acoustic-electric guitar. Peter switched back and forth between lead guitar, keyboards, and banjo. The backing band included Jerry Renino (bass), Wayne Avers (guitar), Aviva Maloney (saxophones/flute/keyboards), VJ Riccitelli (drums), and Jimmy Riccitelli (keyboards). Sandy Gennaro replaced VJ Riccitelli on drums towards the latter part of the tour.
All four Monkees officially celebrated their 30th Anniversary on September 12, 1996 in Santa Monica, California with a private party for family, friends, and former co-workers from the television series. Michael was able to finally join Micky, Davy and Peter in concert when the group played in Los Angeles in November to promote the Justus album. Later, in March 1997, the quartet played a string of concerts in the United Kingdom, highlighted by two sold-out appearances at Wembley Arena.
PHOTO GALLERY
VIDEO FOOTAGE
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