Good Times! The Monkees on Tour.

On September 12, 1966 The Monkees first aired on NBC TV.  These four young men, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Tork, and Michael Nesmith went on to steal the hearts of baby-boomers everywhere.  Fifty years later the Monkees still have our hearts.  They are celebrating their 50th anniversary with a concert tour and a new CD, Good Times!  Touring with the Monkees as back up singer is Dolenz's sister, Coco.  Nesmith's son, Christian, is also touring with the band playing guitar. 

Although The Monkees have continued to tour throughout the years, Nesmith did not always join the band.   Over the years I was lucky enough to see one concert that included Jones, Tork, and Dolenz.  I have also seen Nesmith, Tork, and Dolenz.  Last year, I saw Dolenz perform solo.  All three concerts were equally exciting and entertaining.

September 15th, 2016, the Monkees performed at the Mesa Arts Center Ikeda Theater in Mesa, AZ.  The current tour included Tork and Dolenz.  Unfortunately Tork had to cancel the Arizona dates due to a family emergency.  Nesmith, who was originally only joining the tour for the show in California, stepped in.  Nesmith and Dolenz put on a fantastic two hour show.  Dolenz is an incredible showman/entertainer with a lot of energy, while Nesmith is more laid back, but phenomenal just the same.

Video clips from the original TV series were played on the backdrop behind the band.  Sometimes it was so entertaining and distracting, I had to remind myself to pay attention to the stage.  During intermission they showed original commercials which starred the Monkees and had aired during the series’ original run.  One of the best things about the clips was that they included Jones, who passed away in 2012, thus keeping the band together in spirit. 

The set list was amazing as well.  I was transported back in time and loved every minute of it.  They opened the show with “Last Train to Clarkesville” to rousing applause.  They concluded the evening with an encore that included “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “I’m a Believer.”  There were so many memories and favorites played in between including  but not limited to “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone”, “You Just May Be The One”, “Saturday’s Child”, “Mary, Mary” and one of my personal favorites, “Sometime in the Morning.”  New memories were made with “She Makes Me Laugh” and “You Bring the Summer” from their newest CD.

The most poignant moment of the evening was when the band performed Jones’s signature song “Daydream Believer”.   The song was performed by Jones in the original TV scenes playing on the screen in the background.  Dolenz and Nesmith only joined in live for the chorus at the end.  It was a beautiful tribute to Jones and his memory.  The audience absolutely loved it.  Many were moved to tears. 

I was so sad the concert had to end.  The Monkees were not only a part of my childhood; they are a part of my life.  Their tour is continuing so if you get the chance you owe it to yourself to go see them. ~Ellen Ann