Vienna, VA – Hey, Hey He IS the Monkees, people say he’s touring your town… to celebrate 60 years of music… 60 years of the Monkees. … I had the great fortune of capturing Micky Dolenz at Wolf Trap on 4/16/2026 as he brought the celebration to the Barns in Vienna, VA.
The Monkees and Micky were some of my first TV and musical memories. Sure, at less than a handful years old, I did not really understand the humor, but it was clear they were having fun. Micky was my fave, however, Davey Jones, Peter Tork, and Mike Nesmith were a lot of fun also. It is safe to say that my love for all things music was greatly influenced by them all!!
The show started as expected. Before Micky took the stage, the band, consisting of Coco Dolenz (Vocals), Alex Jules (Keyboards), Chris Rice (Guitar), John Billings (Bass), Rich Dart (Drums), and Emeen Zarookian (Guitar) played a quick version of the Theme from The Monkees… and yes, here he came.
The first three songs were right after each other, with no story telling. As it turned out, the setlist was largely based on the timing of the albums released. Thus, “Last Train to Clarksville” and “Take a Giant Step” were great starters. After the first couple, Micky engaged with the audience more. They loved it. One thing that I found interesting was the demographics. Yes, most people were in my age category, but there was a much larger younger crowd than expected. This sold out audience of all ages loved it from the start!!
After the third song, he kicked off, “I’m a Believer” to an audience roar. He stopped, stared out, and said something like, ‘no, too early, if I sing that now you will all leave, you have to wait!’. The audience loved it!!
Now it was not all Micky, as he let the some of the band members showcase their musical and vocal talents as well. Alex flawlessly belted out “Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)” followed by a very Peter Tork looking drummer known as Rich Dart doing “Your Auntie Grizelda“. Rich had the audience in stitches as he pranced all over the stage, dancing up Grizelda. He himself almost ended up in stitches, as he nearly tripped on something on the edge of the stage!
There is a lot of history behind the evolution of the Monkees as they transformed from what was to be just a TV band (to comically portray the Beatles perhaps?) to a very well respected and loved act (with Micky still able to pack venues sharing the music and stories). For those who did not know, there were some management / band tensions as the members tried to take control of the music. Nez even put his fist through a wall. Micky joked that it was only drywall, but still, that is a sign of tension… “For Pete’s Sake“.
Micky did a couple duets with his sister, Coco, including “Shades of Gray” before talking about the band meeting the ‘royal family’, as in The Beatles. While meeting, they wrote a song called, “Randy Scouse Git“, which the label required an alternate title in the UK because it means, ‘horny Liverpudlian jerk‘, which, at the time, would not be good for sales or label reputation. The label named it, “Alternate Title” in the UK. Yes, that would be appropriate I guess.
The remainder of the first set was a ton of stories and great music. Micky did a great job of distributing the recognition between members and it was obvious they were all having a great time. They fit in quite well at The Barns.
After a short break, they came back and kicked off with asking whether anyone knew that Hendrix had once opened for them. The story was a hoot (and yes, I knew a bit of the story). Micky commented that Hendrix was awesome, however, based on and the fact that are their audience was ten year old girls, there was a bit of a problem. Micky relived a potential conversation in the crowd.
“Mommy, why is he lighting his guitar on fire?” “Probably because he is cold.”
“Mommy, why is he peeing on his guitar?” “Probably because she wants to put the fire out!”
They then played a bit of “Purple Haze“, ending with a chant of something like, “We want Davey, We want Davey”. It was a good thing we were all seated, because had we been standing, the laughter would have taken us down.
For those who have never seen the movie “Head“, I highly (not chemically) recommend checking it out. The story behind it isfascinating. Micky did ask if anyone knew what it was about… then asked if anyone who did could tell him!! You have to see the opening of the movie to get the background behind “Porpoise Song“!!. Some of the fun of this story too was listening to the story about what one could call a birth moment for Jack Nicholson, as he had a huge role in the movie!!
For those who think the Monkees had no influence after the 60s, you were not paying attention. Micky did a great job of reliving the revivals. Rounding out the second set was “That Was Then, This Is Now“, “Me & Magdalena“, and “I’m Not Your Stepping Stone“. Would you expect anything less than a standing O? Of course not!!!
The encore was four songs, you have to believe it!! As teased earlier they finished with “Daydream Believer” and “I’m a Believer“. After a second standing O, they left stage right. Micky was right, once they played those songs, we would all leave, Call it fate.
Micky Dolenz 60 Years of the Monkees Gallery
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Check out “That Was Then This Is Now“
Micky Dolenz Setlist
(Theme From) The Monkees
Last Train to Clarksville
Papa Gene’s Blues
Take a Giant Step
I’m a Believer (Snippet)
A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You
Mary, Mary
Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)
Your Auntie Grizelda
For Pete’s Sake
You Just May Be the One
Shades of Gray
Randy Scouse Git
Words
Peter Percival Patterson’s Pet Pig Porky
Pleasant Valley Sunday
Daydream Believer (Snippet)
Valleri
Tapioca Tundra
Goin’ Down
Intermission
Purple Haze (Snippet)
Different Drum
Porpoise Song (Theme From “Head”)
As We Go Along
Circle Sky
That Was Then, This Is Now
Me & Magdalena
I’m Not Your Stepping Stone
Encore:
Listen to the Band
No Time
Daydream Believer
I’m a Believer
Show Date: 4/16/2026
