AN EVENING WITH THE MONKEES
Featuring Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork
Spring & Summer 2015
Indio, California (Photo by Kevin Fitzgerald)
"Tork and Dolenz took the stage, and they wasted no time diving into the classics, opening with 'Last Train to Clarksville,' 'Your Auntie Grizelda,' and 'She.' Micky Dolenz’s vocals on 'She' were almost opera-quality—his vocal range is still intact. The song of the night was 'Mary, Mary;' Dolenz and Tork couldn't have performed it better, and the backing band handled its duties nicely...Despite the absence of Davy Jones and Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork managed to put on an outstanding two-hour performance as
The Monkees."
-Review of The Monkees' concert at Fantasy Springs in Indio, California
THE TOUR SCHEDULE
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March 27: Fantasy Springs Events Center, Indio (Palm Springs), California April 22: River Cree Resort & Casino, Enoch, Alberta, Canada April 24: Casino Rama, Rama, Ontario, Canada April 25: Casino Rama, Rama, Ontario, Canada July 31: Nashville Symphony, Nashville, Tennessee August 1: River City Casino and Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri August 27: Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, New Jersey August 28: American Music Theatre, Lancaster, Pennsylvania August 29: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, Westbury, New York September 4: Hammersmith Eventim Apollo, London, England September 6: Moseley Folk Festival, Birmingham, England The Monkees Live Almanac chronicled the 2015 Monkees concerts. Additional photos, articles, videos, reviews, and more about the shows |
PETER DISCUSSES THE MONKEES AS A DUO & WHY MICHAEL IS ABSENT
I’m sitting in my hotel room after tonight's show, mulling over the evening's event. Tonight, for the first time, Micky and I went on stage, here at the Fantasy Springs hotel and casino, just the two of us, as The Monkees.
Before virtually every show The Monkees ever did, starting with the very first show we did in Hawaii in 1967, the four of us, or three of us, had a little huddle and said, "hober reeber sober sokin'," or words to that effect, as a way of affirming we were on a team. Tonight Micky and I looked at each other, and, since you can't have a huddle with two people, we had a hug, and said “hober reeber…” etc. Having a hug instead of a huddle was a bit strange, but Michael didn't want to do any more touring, and we thought there might be demand for the Monkees anyway, and so, nervous and cautious, Micky and I went out, just the two of us, as The Monkees.
Well, I guess we needn’t have worried. The show went very well, particularly for a first show in a new format. Micky sang as well as he ever has, and I sang maybe better than I ever have. We sang a few of Mike's songs, and of course, no Monkees concert would be complete without "Daydream Believer," which Micky and I sang in unison, mostly, so Davy was represented as well. Micky and I also sat down with acoustic guitars and sang some songs in a more relaxed way than usual. Later, Micky sang his version of "Sugar, Sugar," which he'd recorded on his solo CD, Remember, and I sang "Even White Boys Get the Blues," which, as you know, I've done with Shoe Suede Blues for years. These last two were by way of each of us having a solo spot, as we used to do in Monkee concerts of old.
The audience, apparently about 1500 strong, was enthusiastic, and we got the standing ovation we always hope for. I felt that a great time was had by all, certainly myself and Micky. I surprised myself by being pretty comfortable up there, and I think it came through in my performance.
I surely hope you get to see the show. We've got a show in Edmonton, Alberta, and two near Toronto, Ontario, on April 22nd and 24th and 25th. We are looking at some dates in the Northeast in September followed by a trip to the UK, and even though nothing is solidly scheduled just yet, we’re going to be there for sure. So you better get ready, we may be coming to your town…to quote a song. Heheheh
Thanks, Team, as always, for your fabulous affection and help. I love you all. Peter (March 28, 2015)
Before virtually every show The Monkees ever did, starting with the very first show we did in Hawaii in 1967, the four of us, or three of us, had a little huddle and said, "hober reeber sober sokin'," or words to that effect, as a way of affirming we were on a team. Tonight Micky and I looked at each other, and, since you can't have a huddle with two people, we had a hug, and said “hober reeber…” etc. Having a hug instead of a huddle was a bit strange, but Michael didn't want to do any more touring, and we thought there might be demand for the Monkees anyway, and so, nervous and cautious, Micky and I went out, just the two of us, as The Monkees.
Well, I guess we needn’t have worried. The show went very well, particularly for a first show in a new format. Micky sang as well as he ever has, and I sang maybe better than I ever have. We sang a few of Mike's songs, and of course, no Monkees concert would be complete without "Daydream Believer," which Micky and I sang in unison, mostly, so Davy was represented as well. Micky and I also sat down with acoustic guitars and sang some songs in a more relaxed way than usual. Later, Micky sang his version of "Sugar, Sugar," which he'd recorded on his solo CD, Remember, and I sang "Even White Boys Get the Blues," which, as you know, I've done with Shoe Suede Blues for years. These last two were by way of each of us having a solo spot, as we used to do in Monkee concerts of old.
The audience, apparently about 1500 strong, was enthusiastic, and we got the standing ovation we always hope for. I felt that a great time was had by all, certainly myself and Micky. I surprised myself by being pretty comfortable up there, and I think it came through in my performance.
I surely hope you get to see the show. We've got a show in Edmonton, Alberta, and two near Toronto, Ontario, on April 22nd and 24th and 25th. We are looking at some dates in the Northeast in September followed by a trip to the UK, and even though nothing is solidly scheduled just yet, we’re going to be there for sure. So you better get ready, we may be coming to your town…to quote a song. Heheheh
Thanks, Team, as always, for your fabulous affection and help. I love you all. Peter (March 28, 2015)
THE SET LIST
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Last Train to Clarksville
Your Auntie Grizelda She Mary, Mary The Girl I Knew Somewhere I'll Be Back Up On My Feet For Pete's Sake Randy Scouse Git Acoustic Set: Tear The Top Right Off My Head / Take a Giant Step / Sometime in the Morning / Papa Gene's Blues / I'll Spend My Life With You Cuddly Toy * D.W. Washburn No Time Words Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again Goin' Down Can You Dig It Sugar, Sugar (Micky's solo spot) Even White Men Get the Blues (Peter's solo spot) That Was Then, This Is Now Daydream Believer Listen to the Band Steppin' Stone Encore: Pleasant Valley Sunday I'm a Believer |
Last Train to Clarksville
That Was Then, This Is Now Your Auntie Grizelda A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You (Micky lead vocal) She Mary, Mary The Girl I Knew Somewhere I'll Be Back Up On My Feet For Pete's Sake Randy Scouse Git No Time Acoustic Set: Tear The Top Right Off My Head / Take a Giant Step / Sometime in the Morning / Papa Gene's Blues / I'll Spend My Life With You D. W. Washburn Words Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again Goin' Down Sugar, Sugar (Micky's solo spot) Alvin / Saved By The Blues (Peter's solo spot) Daydream Believer Listen to the Band Steppin' Stone Encore: Pleasant Valley Sunday I'm a Believer |
*As a tribute to Davy, the performance of "Cuddly Toy" was accompanied by the original video of the song from the TV show with Davy’s vocal only on the track; Micky and Peter sang the harmony part live to Davy on film.
The set list for the shows on August 27 - August 29:
(Photo by Sherri Hansen)
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Last Train to Clarksville Your Auntie Grizelda A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You (Micky lead vocal) She Mary, Mary The Girl I Knew Somewhere I'll Be Back Up On My Feet For Pete's Sake Randy Scouse Git Words No Time Acoustic Set: Tear The Top Right Off My Head / Take a Giant Step / Sometime in the Morning / Midnight Train / Papa Gene's Blues / I'll Spend My Life With You Porpoise Song Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again Goin' Down D.W. Washburn Sugar Sugar (Micky's solo spot) Alvin / Saved by the Blues (Peter's solo spot) Daydream Believer Listen to the Band That Was Then, This Is Now Steppin' Stone Encore: Pleasant Valley Sunday I'm a Believer |
At the August 28 show in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Peter substituted "Tear The Top Right Off My Head" with his Bach piano piece. "I'll Spend My Life With You" was not a part of the acoustic set in Westbury, New York on August 29.
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The set list for the September 4 show at the Hammersmith Eventim Apollo in London, England:
Last Train to Clarksville
Your Auntie Grizelda A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You (Micky lead vocal) She Mary, Mary The Girl I Knew Somewhere I'll Be Back Up On My Feet For Pete's Sake Randy Scouse Git Words No Time Acoustic Set: Tear The Top Right Off My Head / Take a Giant Step / Sometime in the Morning / Midnight Train / Papa Gene's Blues Porpoise Song Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again Goin' Down D.W. Washburn Sugar Sugar (Micky's solo spot) Saved by the Blues (Peter's solo spot) Daydream Believer Listen to the Band That Was Then, This Is Now Steppin' Stone Encore: Pleasant Valley Sunday I'm a Believer |
The set list for the September 6 show at the Moseley Folk Festival in Birmingham, England:
Last Train To Clarksville
That Was Then, This Is Now Your Auntie Grizelda A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You (Micky lead vocal) She Mary, Mary The Girl I Knew Somewhere I’ll Be Back Up On My Feet For Pete's Sake Words Randy Scouse Git No Time Papa Gene's Blues Take a Giant Step D.W. Washburn Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again Goin' Down Pleasant Valley Sunday Listen to the Band Daydream Believer Steppin' Stone I'm a Believer Encore: Porpoise Song (with special guests The Polyphonic Spree) |
PHOTO GALLERY
VIDEO FOOTAGE & AUDIO
Above: Complete recording of The Monkees live at the Moseley Folk Festival in Birmingham, England on September 6, 2015
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Micky and Peter live at Fantasy Springs in Indio, California (Photo by Kevin Fitzgerald)