The Monkees Archives - The NY Independent Music

Peter Tork, the TV Monkee Who Fought to Have the Band Taken Seriously, Dies at 77

Keith GirardFebruary 21, 2019

Peter Tork, the affable, goofy bassist on the hit TV music show “The Monkees,” was nothing like his character. He fought for years to have The Monkees and later his own music taken seriously. That battle ended with his death today (Feb. 21). He was 77....

MUSIC

Micky Dolenz Talks With Peter Noone: An Actor’s Studio for Musicians

WinchesterJanuary 25, 2016

Micky Dolenz of The Monkees and Peter Noone of UK rock group Herman’s Hermits share a lot of rock history. Both broke out in the 1960s and have continued performing ever since. Now, they’re sharing their experiences in a sort of actor’s studio for musicians. Dolenz recalled a party at his house in Los Angeles during the 1970s which served as a sort of coming out party on the West Coast for John Lennon. Many bold-faced names were there, but when a limo pulled up at 2 AM and out stepped Brian Wilson ...

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Micky Dolenz Finds Career Barreling Along on Monkees Resurgence

WinchesterSeptember 15, 2015

Micky Dolenz and his Monkees bandmates are enjoying a career resurgence that other legacy pop stars dream about. At 70, Dolenz just returned from a week in England, where he and Monkees bandmate Peter Tork performed two sold-out shows. He also has a new album on the way....

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Monkee Micky Dolenz Releases B. B. King Show on New Album (video)

Keith GirardNovember 4, 2013

Monkee Micky Dolenz has just released a new album based on his performance last October at the famed B.B. King Bar & Grill in New York City. Micky and his band deliver a solid, 23-song set to the sold-out crowd that included celebrities like Tony Danza. While Micky was performing solo, most of the songs were from the Monkee’s catalog of hits from the ’60s and ’70s....

ROCK

Frank Zappa’s Long Lost Televison Show, Resurfaces on DVD

WinchesterJune 9, 2013

Frank Zappa was one of the most visionary artists of all time; he passed away in 1994, leaving a rich musical legacy. But what many fans don’t know is that Zappa also starred in a television show, produced and recorded, but never aired… until now....

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Micky Dolenz Showcases Distinctive Rock Voice at B.B. King's (video)

TheImproperOctober 22, 2012

Micky Dolenz, riding a newfound wave of popularity since his Monkee days, headlined a show at New York’s landmark B.B. King Bar and Grill that ranged from favorites like “I’m a Believer” to songs from his new album Remember. Dolenz, a multi-talented child actor, vaulted to pop culture icon with his two-year stint on ’60s comedy show “The Monkees,” about the antics of a band based on The Beatles. The show’s stars Dolenz, Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith and Davy Jones were all musicians in their own right, and The Monkees became a musical force all its own after the show ended. Dolenz has remained active ever since, either as a Monkee in reunion tours or with his own band. Last night it included Wayne Avers, Dave Alexander, Rich Dart, Coco and David Billings....

ROCK

Monkee Micky Dolenz Drops Song From Upcoming Album (Listen!)

TheImproperSeptember 20, 2012

Monkees singer Micky Dolenz has dropped a track from his upcoming album Remember. Titled “Randy Scouse Git,” it’s the first song he ever wrote that made it onto the charts in 1967. Bandmate Peter Tork calls it one of his favorite Monkees songs. Dolenz, 67, wrote the song after a party the Beatles threw for Monkees band members, which also included lead singer Davy Jones and guitarist Michael Nesmith. The song was also featured on “The Monkees” tv show and was originally a track on the band’s album Headquarters....

ROCK

Micky Dolenz Still Monkee-ing Around 46 Years After TV Show

WinchesterSeptember 15, 2012

Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, Davy Jones and Mike Nesmith, known collectively as The Monkees, made their television debut 46 years ago this month (Sept. 12). The made-for-TV band’s show lasted two years, but their music career still lives on today. Dolenz characterized the band’s improbable success in an interview this year: “The Monkees really becoming a band was like the equivalent of Leonard Nimoy really becoming a Vulcan,” he said. Micky is still going strong with a reunion tour and new album on tap. ...

CELEBRITIES

Behind the Media Frenzy Following Davy Jones' Death

WinchesterMarch 7, 2012

Famed Monkee Davy Jones unexpectedly passed away last week, touching off a media frenzy for bandmates like Micky Dolenz. “Micky was in New York to rehearse for a projected new play Garage Band,” when he heard the news, according to spokesman David Salidor. In the next 24 hours, Dolenz appeared on CNN’s Piers Morgan, followed up by The Today Show, Access Hollywood, ABC's "Good Morning America" and Good Day New York, with Roseanne Scotto and Greg Kelly....

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Monkee Davy Jones, Singer, TV Actor, Dies Suddenly at 66

TheImproperFebruary 29, 2012

UK singer Davy Jones, who with three bandmates parlayed an American television comedy show into a major music career as The Monkees, died suddenly this morning (Feb. 29) of a massive heart attack at his Florida Home. He was 66. Jones’ death came as a shock to almost everyone. Publicist Helen Kensick confirmed that he died unexpectedly in sleep, leaving behind four children all adults....

MUSIC

Eric Lefcowitz Sees Fun, Madness in The Monkees

WinchesterMarch 3, 2011

For more than 25 years, Eric Lefcowitz’s career as a self-described “pop archeologist” has taken him in unpredictable directions. His latest book, “Monkee Business: The Revolutionary Made-For-TV Band” (Retrofuture Products), is a case in point....

MUSIC

Micky Dolenz 'King for a Day' a Moving Carol King Tribute

WinchesterAugust 15, 2010

It’s been said by persons better schooled than me in all things music that Micky Dolenz possesses one of the best voices in rock and roll. Now comes, Gigatone Records with “King For A Day,” Dolenz’s album tribute to the songs of Carole King....

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