Micky Dolenz celebrates The Monkees' 60th Anniversary at MIM Music Theater

Micky Dolenz

What: 60 Years of the Monkees

Where: The MIM Music Theater, located inside the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, AZ

When: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026

Next: The United Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, Sept. 12

Information: mickydolenz.com

Review and Photos by Robert Kinsler

As the sole surviving member of the influential made-for-TV group The Monkees, singer/actor/multi-instrumentalist Micky Dolenz continues to champion the beloved quartet via winning live appearances. That was proven throughout his wonderful two-hour show at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, AZ on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

"The Monkees" TV show made its debut on September 12, 1966, so this coming Saturday marks the 60th anniversary of the series' first episode's airing on NBC-TV. Dolenz has a winning sense of humor first displayed on that groundbreaking series, and what's more his signature vocals impressed at the MIM Music Theater whether he was performing soaring power pop, garage rock or emotive ballads. While many of his classic rock contemporaries have lost their ability to sing well, Dolenz delivered top-tier vocals to an enthusiastic crowd.

Backed by a terrific six-member troupe (including his sister / singer Coco Dolenz), the 81-year-old Dolenz performed a mix of songs from across The Monkees' wide-ranging discography bolstered by insightful stories about his television co-stars/bandmates (Davy Jones, Peter Tonk and Michael Nesmith), the production of the TV series, 1968 Monkees film "Head" and even his memorable invitation to hang out with The Beatles during a Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band recording session. A rear projection screen displayed vintage images and film footage artfully in sync with the specific selections being performed. 

The night opened with his band performing an instrumental version of The Monkees' theme song heard at the beginning of the show before Dolenz came out on stage to offer up a rousing performance of "Last Train to Clarksville." And it was quickly clear that it didn't matter whether Dolenz and company were performing well-known hits or more under the radar tracks, the energy and delivery were inspired. 

The parade of Monkees favorites was offered up in chronological order, with early standouts including the sublime psychedelic folk rocker "Take a Giant Step," the tender "Sometime in the Morning," Americana-styled "You Just May Be The One," Baroque gem "Shades of Gray" featuring Micky and Coco sharing lead and harmony vocals, a rollicking tear through The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)" and rousing "Pleasant Valley Sunday." 

The second half of the concert featured outstanding versions of "Different Drum" (a Nesmith original that marked the first hit for Linda Ronstadt), sumptuous "Porpoise Song" (the theme from "Head"), the infectious power pop-styled Paul Westerberg-penned "Terri" off Dolenz' new commercial release Timeless, gorgeous "Me & Magdalena," bona fide sing-along "Daydream Believer," high-octane rocker "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" and night-ending "I'm a Believer." 

This was a wonderful concert featuring timeless songs delivered with love and perfection. 

The Minus 5’s 'Dear December' out now

No need to wait to get into the holiday spirit. The Minus 5's "Dear December" is out now!

The Minus 5’s Dear December Out Now

 

First-Ever Holiday Features Collaborations with M. Ward, Ben Gibbard, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Colin Meloy, Chuck Prophet, Tammy Ealom, The Posies, Kelly Hogan, and Norah O’Connor

 

The Minus 5’s Dear December is out now and receiving widespread praise. Offering 11 holiday-themed tracks, the album features a stocking full of guests who “bring the seasonal joy” (Yahoo! Music), including Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie), Peter Buck, Mike Mills, The Posies, Colin Meloy (The Decemberists), Chuck Prophet, M. Ward, Tammy Ealom (Dressy Bessy), Kurt Bloch, Kelly Hogan and Norah O’Connor.

 

“The whole thing is good fun for anyone who enjoyed past power-pop leaning Xmas albums by the likes of Nick Lowe and Chris Stamey.” –Variety

 

“…you’d expect nothing less from Scott McCaughey as he takes the form of an indie Santa Claus, delivering his own batch of presents on the enticing Dear December.” – American Songwriter

 

“Dear December is that rarest of birds, a rock & roll Christmas album that features all original songs that will still merit a listen in January and beyond.” –All Music

 

“…it’s the Christmas album for people who sniff at them dismissively.” –My Spilt Milk

 

In early 2017, The Minus 5’s Scott McCaughey was asked to write some holiday songs for another artist’s holiday album. He became so inspired by the task that he wrote more than an album’s worth of material and decided to record that album with his group, The Minus 5, a rotating line-up of musician friends that McCaughey recruits to join him from time-to-time.

 

Track Listing:

1. New Christmas Hymn
2. When Christmas Hurts You This Way (featuring the Posies)
3. See You in December (featuring M. Ward and Chuck Prophet)
4. Festival of Lights (Hanukkah Song) (featuring Mike Mills, lead vocals by Mike Mills)
5. Johnny Tannenbaum (featuring Kelly Hogan and Norah O’Connor)
6. The Fourth Noel (featuring Colin Meloy)
7. Merry Christmas Mr. Gulp Gulp
8. Your Christmas Whiskey
9. I See Angels (featuring Ben Gibbard)
10. Yule Tide Me Over (featuring Kelly Hogan)
11. I Still Believe in New Year’s Eve

The Monkees set to celebrate 50th anniversary with new studio album, tour

Hey, Hey, it's the (return of) the Monkees!

For years, yours truly has been somewhat upset by the way the majority of the music press has overlooked the music and contributions of the Monkees. With the group's 50th anniversary having arrived, details on a new Monkees studio album (the aptly-named GOOD TIMES!) and tour set for this year, perhaps the band members (the late Davy Jones, as well as Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork) will get a second and more objective look in 2016. I, for one, firmly believe the Monkees deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Here are some highlights pulled from the official media release:

• GOOD TIMES! will mark the Monkees' first new album in nearly 20 years, and will include tracks written by Rivers Cuomo (Weezer), Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie, the Postal Service) and Andy Partridge (XTC).

The Monkees, from left, Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz,
Davy Jones and Peter Tork.

• The album will also feature previously-unreleased 1960s recordings of songs written by Neil Diamond ("Love To Love"), Harry Nilsson and others that have been "revisited and completed" in new Monkees studio sessions.

• GOOD TIMES! will also feature the Nesmith-penned "I Know What I Know" and at least one track written by Tork. The album will be available on CD and digitally on June 10, while the album will arrive on vinyl on July 1, 2016. Produced by Emmy-winning songwriter Adam Schlesinger (of Fountains Of Wayne fame), the album is also set to feature a new song co-written by Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller. This sounds like it is going to be a truly amazing album.

I've been fortunate to review the Monkees, as well as solo appearances by Dolenz and Nesmith over the years and have been reminded each time that the strength of songs and strong winning personality of each of the members did make them something special beyond the roles they forged on their NBC-TV series (that ran from 1966 to 1968). You can read my review in the Orange County Register of the group's performance at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA in November 2012. Click here to read my review of the group when they performed with Davy Jones in one of his final shows with the Monkees at the Greek Theatre in July 2011. 

For more information on all things Monkees, go to the troupe's official Web site: http://monkees.com/

Robert Kinsler