Monkees to embark on first tour since Davy Jones' death

Almost six months after the tragic death of Davy Jones, the surviving members of the Monkees have announced plans to go on tour in the fall of 2012.


From left, Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith, Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz.

 Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork announced earlier today (Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012), that the group will set out on a 12-date tour of the U.S. in November. This will mark the first tour with Nesmith since 1997. Jones died of a heart attack on Feb. 29, 2012. He was only 66.

The tour is set to kick off on Thursday, Nov. 8 in Escondido, California. It will end with a date in New York on Dec. 2. I definitely hope to catch the concert at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Nov. 10.

Here is the official release I received from Rhino Entertainment:

Performing together for the first time in 15 years! Classic hits, deep cut & fan favorites!



Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork return to the concert stage this November for a historic, twelve-date tour of the United States. These performances will mark their first concerts together since 1997. Tickets for all shows will go on sale on August 18.


The trio’s shows are set to feature a selection of their classic hits (such as “Last Train To Clarksville,” “I’m A Believer” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday”), deep cuts from their first five platinum albums (including some performed for the first time since the 1960’s) and fan favorites from the soundtrack to their cult film classic Head and their Emmy®-award winning television series. The show will encompass a full multimedia evening of music, rare films. and one-of-a-kind photographs.


Since the dates fall forty-five years on from their epic struggle to become legitimate music makers, the concerts will be highlighted by a set performed by just Nesmith, Dolenz and Tork. In 1967, the year the Monkees outsold the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, they issued two #1 albums (Headquarters and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd) which primarily featured the Monkees as a self-contained, musical unit. Each evening’s trio set will showcase numbers from these albums and present the Monkees’ electric garage band sound that they developed on their mid-1960’s tours. To open and close the show, the Monkees will be augmented by a stellar crew of players to play the hand-picked setlist each evening.

These dates comprise the first U.S. Monkees tour to feature Michael Nesmith since 1969. These dates also follow the unexpected passing of their musical comrade Davy Jones in February. Plans call for Jones to be saluted in the show’s multimedia content.


Although Davy’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Monkees and their fans, these concerts will be an opportunity to share their memories amidst the music and the movies that brought them together. Moreover, the band look forward to performing for their many new fans who have discovered their music through repeats of their TV show on Antenna television, classic rock radio, or via social media.

Here are the tour dates:


November:

8 California Center for the Arts Escondido, CA

9 The Arlington Theatre Santa Barbara, CA

10 Greek Theatre Los Angeles, CA

11 Flint Center for the Performing Arts Cupertino, CA

15 State Theatre Minneapolis, MN

16 The Chicago Theatre Chicago, IL

17 Lakewood Civic Auditorium Cleveland, OH

18 The Center For The Arts Buffalo, NY

29 Keswick Theatre Philadelphia, PA

30 State Theatre Regional Arts Center New Brunswick, NJ

December:

1 The Paramount Huntington, NY

2 Beacon Theatre New York, NY