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The picture below of Peter Tork, Coco Dolenz, and Micky Dolenz, taken at the Troubadour in Hollywood in September 1970, has been a part of the multimedia show during Micky and Peter's concerts this year. Micky shared the name of this impromptu group as DDT - Dolenz, Dolenz & Tork.  Here's footage of this unique trio many years later at last Thursday's show at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, New Jersey, courtesy of Cindy Ferrier. Micky, his sister Coco, and Peter perform Micky's composition "Midnight Train," which originally appeared on The Monkees' 1970 album Changes, a version that also featured Coco on backing vocals.
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 Micky's sister, Coco, has a long history with The Monkees. She provided harmony and background vocals on such Monkees tracks as "Shortly Blackwell," "Little Girl," "Midnight Train," and "Mommy and Daddy." She wrote for teen magazines in the 1960s at the height of her brother's fame, and in the late 1970s, she toured with Micky and Davy after the dissolution of Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart. In 1987, Coco released her own album, One Voice. She joined The Monkees onstage in a supporting role when Michael, Micky, and Peter reunited in late 2012 for a series of concerts after the passing of Davy Jones.
When not touring with The Monkees, you can hear Coco at Micky's solo shows, where she often duets with her brother on "Bye Bye Blackbird" and "Crying in the Rain" while taking over on lead vocals for Michael Nesmith's own "Different Drum." In this 1989 interview with Paris Stachtiaris and guest host Valerie Lionel on the Headquarters radio program, Coco talks about experiencing Monkeemania in the '60s, growing up with Micky, working with Micky and Davy (and The Laughing Dogs) on the road in 1977, and much more. You'll also get to hear tracks from her 1987 album One Voice and The Coasters' version of "D.W. Washburn."  (From the June 1968 issue of Fave)  After Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart disbanded, Micky and Davy continued to work together and formed a new act that played clubs in 1977. Micky's sister, Coco, joined the duo on the road. Coco, of course, has been a part of The Monkees' touring band since 2012. Here's a promotional photo that Coco shared on her Facebook page from her days with Micky and Davy:  (Photo courtesy of Coco Dolenz)  (From the January 1968 issue of Fave - click to enlarge)  I'm guessing this photo was taken sometime during the late 1970s. Anyone know the exact date and location?  (From the program for Micky's 1982 tour of Japan) Micky and his band played last evening in Bow, Washington. "Riu Chiu," performed by The Monkees at the end of their 1967 Christmas episode, was a part of the night's set list. Joining Micky onstage in the video are Monkees backing band members Rich Dart, Coco Dolenz, and (I'm presuming) Dave Alexander as Santa, and it was filmed by bassist John Billings. I'm not for certain who the lady is standing next to Rich.
The last Monkees reunion (with Micky, Davy, and a bearded Peter) before 1986 occurred at the Starwood Club in March 1977 in Hollywood.  (From the collection of Rodney Bingenheimer)  Micky, Peter, Coco Dolenz, and Davy (Photo by Henry Diltz)  (From the November 1967 issue of Tiger Beat)  (From the August 1967 issue of Monkee Spectacular - click to enlarge)  Let's take a moment to acknowledge the musicians who currently support The Monkees during their live concerts, and to also say thanks to all of those who have played with The Monkees since they regrouped in 1986.
Four members of The Monkees' backing band get in some extra rehearsal time during the 2013 tour...  L to R: Christian Nesmith, Rich Dart, Dave Alexander, and Coco Dolenz (2013) Here's Micky's "Little Girl," the first track on The Monkees Present album from 1969. It features Micky on lead and backing vocals as well as acoustic guitar. His sister, Coco, contributes backing vocals. Guitar ace Louie Shelton plays the song's guitar lick.  Peter live at the Vic In 1988, after two frenzied years on the road and in the studio, The Monkees maintained a relatively low profile. Micky, Davy, and Peter eventually toured Australia late that year, but beyond the trek down under, the only other group public appearance in '88 was at a Monkees convention in Chicago, Illinois in August. The trio were guests at the gathering, and Peter played a solo show at the Vic Theatre on August 20 to coincide with it. Micky and Davy joined Peter during the encore for both "Daydream Believer" and "I'm a Believer." Peter played for about 90 minutes that evening, mixing Monkees songs, solo material, and covers (including Elvis and The Beatles) throughout the set. The show was billed as "Peter Tork and Friends." The late Jerry Renino, a member of the Peter Tork Project in the early '80s who also toured with The Monkees throughout the years, played bass. A bootleg recording of the Vic concert has long floated among collectors. During the show, Peter introduced a few friends who were in the audience that night, including Monte Landis, a frequent guest star on The Monkees television series best known for his appearance in the second season episode "The Devil and Peter Tork." Monkees associate and songwriter Bill Chadwick, producer Chip Douglas, photographer and musician Henry Diltz, and Micky's sister, Coco, sang a rendition of "Higher and Higher" with Peter as well. Here's the set list from the concert at the Vic: Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again Tender Is Don't Be Cruel Good Looker Hi Hi Babe Lady Madonna Foggy, Foggy Dew Seeger's Theme I Truly Understand MGBGT Bye, Bye Peggy Milkshake Blues in the Bottle Since You Went Away All Shook Up Witchy Mama Sea Change Cuckoo Wasn't in the Cards Vagabond John Cripple Creek I'll Spend My Life With You Higher and Higher (with Bill Chadwick, Chip Douglas, Henry Diltz, and Coco Dolenz) Miracle Get What You Pay For Encore with Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz: Daydream Believer I'm a Believer In 2019, thanks to Sherri Hansen, video of Peter's concert at the Vic was published on YouTube:  Micky and Davy appeared with Peter during the encore at the Vic Theatre  Peter is joined onstage at the Vic by (left to right) Henry Diltz, Bill Chadwick, Coco Dolenz, and Chip Douglas for a performance of "Higher and Higher"  Monte Landis and Peter Tork at the 1988 Chicago Monkees convention (Photo by Michael G. Bush) |
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