"Papa Gene's Blues"
UNIVERSAL AMPHITHEATRE
Los Angeles, California
With Special Guest Michael Nesmith
July 9, 1989
THE SET LISTHello, Hello, I'm Back Again
Pleasant Valley Sunday A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You D.W. Washburn Long Title: Do I Have to Do This All Over Again She Hangs Out Goin’ Down Baby, You’ll Soon Be Sixteen Your Auntie Grizelda Hangin’ By A Thread Zilch / Mary, Mary I Wanna Be Free That Was Then, This Is Now Valleri As We Go Along Sea Change She Cripple Creek Acoustic Set: -When Love Comes Knockin’ (Davy) -Sometime in the Morning (Micky) -Take a Giant Step (Peter) WITH MICHAEL NESMITH: What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round? Cruisin’ Joanne Papa Gene’s Blues Last Train to Clarksville No Time (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone Daydream Believer Encore: Ditty Diego (Monkees rap) Listen to the Band I’m a Believer |
(Photos by Michael G. Bush)
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(Photo by Michael G. Bush)
Before the 1989 tour officially kicked off on July 1 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, all four Monkees gathered in Los Angeles, California to promote their reunion concert at the Universal Amphitheatre. The show would coincide with the group receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and with a Monkees convention that was taking place in Los Angeles that same weekend. The quartet were guests on The Mark & Brian Show on KLOS-FM radio on June 28 to hype the events. (Audio of this broadcast can be heard below.) The appearance was highlighted by on-air performances of "Papa Gene's Blues" and "Daydream Believer," with Peter accompanying on acoustic guitar. The Monkees also appeared live on another radio program hosted by Rick Dees on KIIS Radio on June 30.
(Photo by Henry Diltz)
Beginning in the mid-1970s, Michael became chief executive of the Pacific Arts Corporation, which developed media projects and produced motion pictures. When Micky, Davy and Peter reunited in 1986, Nesmith, who was initially on board for a small number of reunion shows that year, was forced to withdraw when the tour's itinerary ballooned due to popular demand. As a result, his rare appearances with The Monkees in the '80s were always widely covered events. On the day of the show, The Monkees conducted a series of rehearsals and later sat for interviews with the press. The band was met later that evening by a sold-out crowd at the Universal Amphitheatre, where they played an extended concert set together for the first time since late 1968.
Michael had joined the reunited trio once since the band's revival, but only for the two song encore performance at the Greek Theatre in 1986. For this concert, the regular 1989 summer tour set list was re-arranged to allow for his guest appearance, which came during the second half of the show. Introduced after the acoustic set and receiving a warm welcome from the audience, Nez led the reunited quartet through "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?", a standout track from The Monkees' fourth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. Two of Nesmith's better known solo songs, "Joanne" and "Cruisin'" (the latter featuring Micky on drums) were added to the set, as was "Papa Gene’s Blues." Michael played guitar for most of his time on the stage.
The following day, The Monkees gathered in Hollywood to receive their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Each member of the band made short remarks during the ceremony. Afterward, The Monkees held a press conference at the hotel where the Monkees convention was taking place that weekend. Micky, Davy, and Peter continued the tour after the festivities in Los Angeles with two more California dates before heading overseas for their first round of concerts in Japan since 1968.
Michael had joined the reunited trio once since the band's revival, but only for the two song encore performance at the Greek Theatre in 1986. For this concert, the regular 1989 summer tour set list was re-arranged to allow for his guest appearance, which came during the second half of the show. Introduced after the acoustic set and receiving a warm welcome from the audience, Nez led the reunited quartet through "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?", a standout track from The Monkees' fourth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. Two of Nesmith's better known solo songs, "Joanne" and "Cruisin'" (the latter featuring Micky on drums) were added to the set, as was "Papa Gene’s Blues." Michael played guitar for most of his time on the stage.
The following day, The Monkees gathered in Hollywood to receive their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Each member of the band made short remarks during the ceremony. Afterward, The Monkees held a press conference at the hotel where the Monkees convention was taking place that weekend. Micky, Davy, and Peter continued the tour after the festivities in Los Angeles with two more California dates before heading overseas for their first round of concerts in Japan since 1968.
KLOS-FM RADIO APPEARANCE
Los Angeles, California / June 28, 1989 (Photo by Henry Diltz)
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LIVE VIDEO & AUDIO FROM THE UNIVERSAL AMPHITHEATRE
The audio files below are from an audience recording of the Universal Amphitheatre concert. The Monkees perform "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?" along with two of Mike Nesmith's solo songs, "Cruisin'" and "Joanne," as well as "Papa Gene's Blues." Micky sits behind the drum kit for "Cruisin'."
1989 REUNION PHOTO GALLERY
MORE VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THE 1989 REUNION
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HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME PHOTO GALLERY
THE PRESS CONFERENCE
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The Monkees pose after rehearsing (Photo by Michael G. Bush)