Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Michael Nesmith, con'td.

The unexpected and untimely death of Michael Nesmith has caused us to have to shuffle several previously scheduled pieces around this week ... but, as expected, the Mike Nesmith comments, memories and tributes continue to come in …

Here’s a YouTube clip submitted by Frank B. of the last four songs Mike and Micky ever performed together at The Greek Theatre as part of The Monkees Farewell Tour …

Final Four Songs - The Monkees Farewell Tour with Michael Nesmith & Micky Dolenz at The Greek – YouTube 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su7M3TyJrOY

Frank also sent us this great clip of The Monkees with Paul Revere and the Raiders, circa 1969 …

(We ran this one a LONG time ago in Forgotten Hits … so it was cool to see it again!

The Raiders really rock on this track!)


For an EXCELLENT recap of just how incredibly fast The Monkees burst on to the pop music scene and then rose to the top of the charts, you've just GOT to read this piece put out by Best Classic Bands:

We've published numerous reports before regarding their astronomical success on both the pop singles and albums charts ... as well as their increased exposure thanks to their television series and touring.  (Even The Summer of Love and a little LP called "Sgt. Pepper" didn't deter the young fans of this hot new group!)

And, speaking of their television series ... (and just in case you missed our late add on Saturday) ... we wanted to let you know that next weekend (beginning at Noon Eastern on Saturday, December 18th) The Decades Channel will run EVERY episode of The Monkees television series ... all 58 of them ... straight through 6 am on Monday, December 20th.

You can check the schedule here to find your favorite episodes.  (kk)

Schedule (decades.com)


I was never really a fan of the Monkees. I was intrigued by the fact that a rock and roll band was on TV, but had little interest in their music. I am still upset that their version of “Stepping Stone” was released as a single instead of the far superior version recorded by Paul Revere and The Raiders on “Midnight Ride.”  
I was, however, interested in the 5th star of the show, The Monkeemobile, a modified '66 Pontiac GTO. Or you could say the 5th stars of the show because there were twins. Attached is a pretty good story of what happened to the Monkeemobile(s).
Robert Campbell


The Monkeemobile has been a fixture at many a classic car show over the past several decades ... that was the same era as The Batmobile.  (The cars went out on tour more often than the band did!)
As for who did the better version of "Steppin' Stone," I've got to disagree with you on that one ... and this song became a point of contention with Micky Dolenz and Mark Lindsay toured together many years ago as part of the Teen Idol tour ... as to who should sing it in concert.  (The Raiders did it first, but never released it as a single.  When The Monkees cut it for their second album and put it on the B-Side of their all-time biggest hit, "I'm A Believer," it became one of their most popular tracks.  The conflict was real, with both artists taking swipes at each other in the press.)
Years later, Micky and Mark toured again for the 50th Anniversary of The Summer Of Love and this time they just sang it together rather than drudge up any old animosities.  (kk)

photo by Darren Tracy

Very nice Nez Tribute.
I remember meeting him and the boys when I MC'd a Huge Monkees Concert back in the mid '60s.
Yeah, back when Radio Guys could introduce Big Name Groups on stage for their performance!
In this case, like many other such appearances, there isn't really anything much of note to share!
I just went out on stage in front of a Restless, Fully Jam-packed, Giant, Teenage Girl-Filled Auditorium, said how happy the Radio Station was to "bring them to town," then quickly said something pithy like, "And here they come!  The Monkeeees!!!" ( Uncontrolled Screaming Pandamonium erupted here! ) 
Swiftly closed with ( because now I had their attention! ) "Let's have a Rockin' Good Time tonight! I'm Chuck Buell from K-I-M-N!" And the Audience went WILD!  
Of course, that was more for the Monkees than me, but still, ever the self-promoter, I got my name out there at an extremely opportune moment!
That's it.  I never had the chance to talk with the guys, one-on-one, that evening, but everybody did have a Good Time!
CB  (which stands for Concert Boy)
Micky has said many, many times that while he doesn't really remember the '60's, he's been told that he had an excellent time!  (kk)

Mike Nesmith and Micky Dolenz remember Jimi Hendrix …

Michael Nesmith Loved Watching Jimi Hendrix on Monkees Tour (ultimateclassicrock.com)

In addition to Mike Nesmith, we also lost Les Emmerson, lead vocalist and guitar player for The Five Man Electric Band and Ralph Tavares of the R&B Family act Tavares.

Tavares crossed over to the pop charts14 times, including the Top 40 Hits “It Only Takes A Minute” (#8, 1975), “Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel” (#10, 1976), “Whodunit” (#16, 1977) and “More Than A Woman” (#32, 1978), a song that was featured in the movie “Saturday Night Fever” along with The Bee Gees’ original version.

The Five Man Electrical Band hailed from Canada where they had eight Top 40 Hits.  Two of those crossed over here in The States in a very big way … “Signs” (#3, 1971) and “Absolutely Right” (#19, 1971).  Both of these tunes were written and sung by Les Emmerson.  (kk)

Phil Nee talked to Les Emmerson in 2001 about their biggest hit ...

kk …

As You Know, Last Night Cousin Brucie Was Supposed To Talk To Mickey Dolenz ... And Then Next Saturday He Was Going To Talk To Felix Cavaliere. They Switched.

In 2022, They Will Be Touring Together, Starting With January 22, 2022, At The Palladium In New York And Then Lynn, Mass. The Next Night. That's All He Knew About For Sure.

They'll Try Five or Six Shows ... And If It Works, They'll Do More.

Felix Has A New CD Coming Out ... And A New Book Should Be Out in March, 2022.

He Didn't Give Any Titles.

FB

I think with Mike Nesmith dying on Friday, Micky probably didn’t feel that he’d be a very good conversationalist … of course, everybody would want to talk about Nez instead of the upcoming tour he was supposed to be promoting.  Hopefully he’ll be in a better frame of mind next week.  (kk)

MIKE NESMITH TRIBUTES:

I’m heartbroken. I’ve lost a dear friend and partner. I’m so grateful that we could spend the last couple of months together doing what we loved best – singing, laughing, and doing shtick. I’ll miss it all so much.  Especially the shtick. Rest in peace, Nez. All my love, Micky

WOW! Sometimes it's hard to know why someone's passing hits you a certain way but this is another one that hit me. I watch my world change as people that I thought to be timeless pass on, and that is sobering. Lives end and life goes on. RIP Mike Nesmith.  – Paul Stanley (KISS)

I’m sorry to hear about Mike Nesmith. The Monkees had some great songs, those were fun days. Love & Mercy to Mike’s family and friends.  --Brian Wilson

RIP Mike Nesmith. He lives forever in the Underground Garage.

--Stevie Van Zandt

This is sad news. When I was about 9 or 10 my friends and I formed a ‘band’ called The Monkee Juniors. We mimed to The Monkees records in people houses in our street for sweet money. I was the Mike Nesmith in the line-up. He was far more talented than given credit for. – Gary Numan

Artists as diverse as Carole King, Susanna Huff and Slash also tweeted R.I.P. notices.

Been listening to a lot of his music this weekend … always thought he was perfectly cast in The Monkees … and had his own unique talent that he brought to the equation.  We’ll miss you, Mike.  (kk)

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