After 45 years since forming The Monkees, the four-man band announced yesterday that they will once again be singing “Hey Hey We’re The Monkees” after releasing their 2011 tour plans. Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, both 65, and Peter Tork, 69, announced plans for a UK tour. The Monkees were a popular band that were originally created for television in 1965. Their overnight fame lasted five years as they went their separate ways in 1970.
The Monkees 2011 Tour
Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork, the veteran band’s original members, will play a series of concerts throughout the UK in May, including the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Mike Nesmith, born December 30, 1942, has not announced whether or not he will appear with the band. Rumors reported by the Daily Mirror, state that if he does choose to join his former bandmates on stage, it will be a surprise.
Tickets for The Monkees 2011 tour, which includes dates in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Cardiff go on sale on Friday, February 25, 2011.
Mike Nesmith
Mike Nesmith was the band leader and although he had his funny moments on the show, he was recognized as the most serious of the four band members.
When Nesmith was casted, Screen Gems purchased his songs so that The Monkees could perform them in the show. Many of Nesmith’s songs became minor hits on the charts such as: Listen to the Band, Mary, Mary and The Girl I Knew Somewhere.
As with the other Monkees, Nesmith became frustrated by the manufacturing image they were given and he was only permitted to write and produce two songs per album. Eventually The Monkees ousted their producer, Don Kirshner, and took control of their song choices and albums.
Davy Jones
Davy Jones is the most searched name of the four Monkees at Google. It may be in part due to the fame of Pirates of the Caribbean; but it may also have something to do with being a heart throb to thousands of teenage girls throughout the 60’s and 1970’s.
His British accent melted the hearts of many over the years. Today, Davy Jones spends most of his time near Miami with his family and occasionally tours as a solo act across the U.S.
The Monkees’ Songs – I’m a Believer
The Monkees had popular song writers behind many of their hits. I’m a Believer was written by Neil Diamond and this all-time popular song became number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on December 31, 1966; and it stayed there for seven weeks becoming the biggest-selling record in 1967. They sold more copies of their album I’m a Believer than The Beatles and the Rolling Stones combined that year.
Daydream Believer, written by John Stewart (Kingston Trio), also became a number one hit in 1967 with Davy Jones singing the lead.
Don Kirshner
Rock producer Don Kirshner was the man responsible for starting The Monkees’ career. He recently passed away due to heart failure on January 17, 2011 in Boca Raton, Florida. Don Kirshner originally provided some songs for The Monkees’ television show such as I’m a Believer, but as time went on, the band wanted more control over their artistic abilities.
Kirshner knew that The Monkees were his answer to The Beatles, and at times throughout the late 60’s, The Monkees gave The Beatles competition on the pop charts. He also managed other major songwriting talents such as Neil Sedaka, Carole King and Bobby Darin.
The Monkees Trivia
Some Monkee trivia facts include:
- Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith auditioned for the role of“The Fonz” for Happy Days.
- Mike Nesmith’s mother invented the formula for what would become Liquid Paper.
- John Lennon and George Harrison often spoke out about how they enjoyed The Monkees’ television show and their music.
- Jimi Hendrix was used as their opening act on their 1967 tour.
- Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield and CSN&Y) auditioned for a character on the show.
- Michael Nesmith pioneered the idea for the format that eventually became MTV.
Sources:
- MSN, February 22, 2011. Hey, hey, it's the Monkees reunited
- Variety Magazine, January 18, 2011. Don Kirshner, music publisher and producer, dies
- Davy Jones
- The Mirror, February 22, 2011. The Monkees plan shock reunion
Karen Stephenson - Karen has written for several newspapers and print media in addition to many online publications. She holds a B.A. in English and an ...
Join the Conversation