 Peter Tork in a scene from "I Filmed Your Death" (Photo courtesy of Azbest Films) The Live Almanac first reported about Peter's involvement with the movie in December 2013. 
2 Comments
 (Image courtesy of Videoranch) This past January during a 5-concert jaunt throughout California, Michael Nesmith brought new life to his initial post-Monkees outfit, The First National Band. Originally consisting of Nez, Red Rhodes, John London, and John Ware, the group released three albums between 1970 and 1971, but their live performance history was fairly limited. Ignored and almost shunned by audiences and peers during their heyday, the music of the First National Band has since been cited by critics and contemporaries as a pioneering influence in the country rock genre. In one of the more unexpected moves of Michael Nesmith's career, a reconstituted First National Band hit the road in early 2018 with Christian Nesmith (guitar), Jonathan Nesmith (piano/guitar/vocals), Circe Link (vocals), Christopher Allis (drums), Jason Chesney (bass), Amy Spear (vocals), and Pete Finney (pedal steel). Sadly, original members Rhodes and London have passed away, but Ware gave his blessing to the project and wished everyone well. The concerts by the First National Band Redux, as they were dubbed, were ultimately a critical and commercial triumph. And now, The Monkees Live Almanac is proud to be the first to share the details about a forthcoming live album from 7a Records that will document this unique event in Nesmith/First National Band history.  (Photo by Ed Heffelfinger) Since 2015, 7a Records and its proprietors Glenn Gretlund and Iain Lee have been producing Monkees-related releases, including a collection of Micky Dolenz's 1970s MGM singles, Bobby Hart's first solo album, various limited edition vinyl 45s (Dolenz/Davy Jones/Dolenz with Circe Link & Christian Nesmith), and more recently, vintage and new live recordings by both Nesmith and Dolenz. And now 7a has made an agreement with Michael Nesmith and the members of the First National Band to release a live album documenting their January 2018 performances. "We are extremely proud and excited to be able to work with Michael Nesmith and the First National Band on this album," Glenn told the Live Almanac. "What I have heard so far literally gave me goose bumps. It's that good. By all accounts this will be a superb album and one of 7a Records' biggest releases to date." Iain was just as enthused. "If you’d have told 15 year old me I’d be releasing a brand new First National Band live album on my own record label I’d have laughed in your face. This is a dream come true and is the culmination of years of hard work and dreaming from both myself and my business partner Glenn. We make it our business to only release records that we would buy and man, I’d buy a dozen copies of this. It’s a thrill and an honor to be working with Michael and the band on this. And you wait until you hear what Christian [Nesmith] has done with the production. Stunning."  (Photo by Ed Heffelfinger) As Iain said, Christian Nesmith is currently in the process of mixing and mastering the recordings, but at this moment, it has not yet been decided whether the album will consist of one full show or a compilation of the best performances from the various stops on the tour. Nez will have the final vote once everything has been mixed. The following songs are very likely to be included on the album:
Be sure to check back with The Monkees Live Almanac as Glenn and Iain have promised more details about the upcoming First National Band live album release as they become available. I would also like to take a moment to thank both Glenn Gretlund and Iain Lee for sharing this news with the Live Almanac and its readers, and for their constant support of the site.  Michael Nesmith, Christian Nesmith, and Circe Link (Photo by Ed Heffelfinger)  (Photo courtesy of TheMacWire.com)  (From the 2012 Monkees tour program - click to purchase CD)  (Photo by Jason Chesney) Last night in front of a sold out house (which included Micky Dolenz, Rodney Bingenheimer, Keith Allison, Henry Diltz, and others), Michael Nesmith took the stage at the legendary Troubadour in West Hollywood, a place where he performed in the pre-Monkees era and the site of the earliest live shows by the First National Band in 1970. Here is the evening's set list, courtesy of Andrew Sandoval:   Donna Quinter Dolenz, Micky, and Nez at the Troubadour (Photo by Sherri Hansen)  (Photo by Andrew Sandoval) Here's some footage from The Troubadour, courtesy of Sherri Hansen:
The First National Band Redux performed at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California last night, and special guest Micky Dolenz was in attendance.
With Stan Lee (Photo courtesy of Videoranch 3D on Facebook)
Here is some footage from the show, courtesy of The Monkees Tour Facebook page:
On Sunday evening, Michael Nesmith's First National Band Redux opened their mini-tour at Pappy & Harriet's in Pioneertown, California. Here is the night's set list, courtesy of Andrew Sandoval:
The Monkees Tour Facebook page shared live footage throughout the performance:
(Photo courtesy of Andrew Sandoval)
Michael Nesmith will discuss The Monkees and the First National Band with Danny Bonaduce on his radio program this Wednesday, January 17. You can listen live, and all shows are logged as iTunes podcasts, too.  The Monkees commenced their 2013 summer tour at the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York. Many thanks to Jennifer Winkle for sharing her photographs from that night! Thanks a lot to Jennifer Winkle who submitted these photographs from The Monkees' 2014 tour stop at the Borgata Music Box in Atlantic City, New Jersey on May 23, 2014. 
Michael at rehearsals (Photo courtesy of Circe Link's Facebook page)
The Best of The Monkees was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 1, 2012. The Monkees were presented with Gold records at the Greek Theatre before their performance there on November 10, 2012.  (Photo courtesy of the official Peter Tork Facebook page)  (Photo courtesy of Videoranch3D on Facebook) Peter Tork makes first live concert appearance of 2017; Micky & Nez share stage in Beverly Hills10/22/2017 
(Photo by Jennifer Winkle)
Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues performed live in concert last evening in Westbury, New York at NYCB Theatre. The group opened an evening of entertainment dubbed "Hot Autumn Nights" on a bill that included Peter Noone, The Grass Roots, and The Buckinghams. This marked Peter's first concert appearance since the conclusion of The Monkees' 50th Anniversary Tour last December, and his first public event since early May, where he took part in Wizard World Comic Con in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Peter and the band performed the following songs:
A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
​Bring It With You Cross Cut Saw I’m a Believer (with Peter Noone) Pleasant Valley Sunday
Jennifer Winkle was in attendance and shared her photos on Facebook, along with audio of Peter's set:
Peter and Arnold Jacks
Sturgis Cunningham, Peter, and Arnold Jacks (All photos by Jennifer Winkle)
Peter Noone made a surprise appearance and performed "I'm a Believer" with Peter:
(Photo by Jennifer Winkle)
And here's more footage from Westbury courtesy of YouTube:
(Photo by Alison Martino)
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, Micky Dolenz welcomed Michael Nesmith and friends back to the stage during his concert at The Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, California. Previously on Friday night, Nez had joined Micky at The Canyon in Agoura Hills, California for their first concert appearance together since September 2016.
Nez sports a "Loose Salute" T-shirt at the Saban (Photo by Tyrone Biljan)
​Jodi Ritzen shared video from the show on Facebook, which includes the duo's performance of "Me & Magdalena" and the encore selections of "Listen to the Band" and "I'm a Believer."
Kiefo Nilsson, son of Harry, once again joined Micky for "Good Times" just as he had during Friday night's debut of the song at the Agoura Hills show.
Mary Cherry posted this video of "I'm a Believer" and final bows:
(Photo courtesy of April Hayes)
Last night at the The Canyon in Agoura Hills, California, Micky Dolenz took the stage with his sister Coco and special guests Michael Nesmith, Christian Nesmith, Circe Link, and Kiefo Nilsson. Micky and Nez performed "Me & Magdalena," a highlight from The Monkees' 2016 album, Good Times!, and later sang both "Listen to the Band" and "I'm a Believer" during the encore.
Jeffrey Sherman posted video of Micky, Michael, Christian, and the band performing "Me & Magdalena":
Joining everyone onstage was Micky's longtime touring group, who have also backed The Monkees in concert since 2012: Wayne Avers (guitar/musical director), Rich Dart (drums), John Billings (bass), Dave Alexander (keyboards), and Coco Dolenz (backing vocals).
​Davy Jones' daughters Talia Jones Roston, Sarah Jones, and Annabel Jones, along with Davy's first wife Linda Haines Jones, were also in attendance.
April Hayes shared her photos from the concert on Facebook:
Nez, sporting a "Magnetic South" T-shirt
Coco Dolenz, Christian Nesmith, and Circe Link
And Rolling Stone contributing editor David Wild posted this photo on Twitter of Michael and Micky singing "I'm a Believer":
Family members of Micky's longtime friend Harry Nilsson were also present, and Harry's son, Kiefo, accompanied Micky for the debut live performance of "Good Times." The song, originally demoed by Harry Nilsson for The Monkees in the late '60s, was revived last year after Micky added his vocal to the track, allowing for a modern day duet that ultimately inspired the name of The Monkees' 2016 album. You can watch Kiefo join Micky in the video below, courtesy of Dyana Levinson:
Kiefo Nilsson commented about his guest appearance with Micky on Facebook and posted a picture of the two onstage:
"​Had the great privilege of getting to sing my dad’s part to 'Good Times' alongside Micky Dolenz tonight at the Canyon in Agoura Hills. Will be doing it again tomorrow at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills — come hang if you can!"
Thanks to Andrew Sandoval for sharing a photo of the set list with The Monkees Live Almanac:
Videoranch3D on Facebook posted photos and a few short videos of Michael with fans during the post-show meet and greet session. A portion of the proceeds collected from the meet and greet is being donated to the Davy Jones Equine Memorial Fund.
Stay tuned for more updates, and remember that Micky, Michael, and company will be doing it all again at this evening's show in Beverly Hills, California at the Saban Theatre!
(Photo courtesy of Videoranch3D on Facebook)
(Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Sherman)
 Palais Theatre, December 7, 2016 (Photo by Daniel Sam)  (August 13 at Mayo Park, Rochester, Minnesota - photo courtesy of Micky Dolenz Twitter account)  September 16, 2016 at the Pantages Theatre (Photo by Elliott Marx) |
Blog Spotlight
Featured Page
Poll # 1: Vote!Poll #2: Vote!Categories
All
Archives
April 2018
|
RSS Feed
