Vienna, VA – Some days are full of wonderful surprises! One of those days was April 8, 2023, as I took a trip to The Barns at Wolf Trap to catch one of my childhood idols, Micky Dolenz celebrating the Monkees. Growing up in a very ‘country western’ home, Micky, Davy Jones, Peter Tork, and Mike Nesmith were my introduction to real… er… should I say rock music as I caught the series during its first stint in syndication. As a very influenceable child, I loved every off the wall moment. As fate would have it, I was never able to catch them on any of their tours through the years, so this performance was a must.
I expected Micky, with his band, consisting of Emeen Zarookian (guitar), Alex Jules (Keyboard), Rich Dart (drums), Wayne Avers (guitar), John Billings (bass), and
Coco Dolenz (sister and backing vocals) to come out and perform a bunch of Monkees songs. What I got was a two-hour, heartfelt celebration of the lives and memories of the three members who had passed, Davy, Peter, and Mike presented by Micky.
Before the show started, portraits of the band members were projected on the screen behind the stage. The celebration began, like all Monkees’ celebrations began, with their theme, “Hey Hey We’re the Monkees” which got a huge reaction from the loving crowd. The band took the stage, followed by Micky, donning a dark jacket and his signature fedora. Kicking off the band celebration was “Last Train to Clarksville“.
The first few songs were one after the other. Looking around, the love in the room was obvious. Most in attendance were of the age that grew up with the series, whether first run or in syndication (mid 60s to 70s). Micky was no longer on the kit but was hamming it up quite well with the audience and the band. The impish Circus Boy smile that melted the hearts of many before The Monkees lit up the stage and complimented the story being told on the screen.
After “The Girl I Knew Somewhere“, which happened to be the first song they released where they were playing their own instruments, they went into “All of Your Toys“, which happened to be the first song they recorded playing their own instruments. Due to legal issues, it was not released until 20 years after it was recorded. In addition to a tribute, this was also turning into a short history lesson (with great music). Micky made sure to dedicate the performance to not only the late band members, but also those who made the Monkees who they were.
Davy Jones, whom we lost in 2012, was the first recognized by Micky. He was also the closest to the Dolenz family as they spent a lot of time together. Yes, Davy was the cute charming one and they all knew it. The background music to the Davy tribute video was a very fitting “Look Out, Here Comes Tomorrow“.
Next up on the tribute list was Peter. Micky pointed out that Peter was at a disadvantage as all the others were allowed to pretty much play themselves. Peter, on the other hand, had to play the dummy. It was something that made Peter a little bitter. The song that paid tribute to Peter with the background was “Your Auntie Grizelda”
Last but not least was Mike, the stoic Monkee with the wonderfully dry sense of humor. Micky and Mike toured together just prior to his death. Micky commented on how Mike kept it together, even in failing health. You could tell Mike’s death took a toll in Micky. His tribute was to “What Am I Doing Hangin’ Round“. A perfect song for Mike. Oh yeah, and if you didn’t know, Mike’s mother invented liquid paper (for all you youngins, that was what we used before the backspace or delete key).
The pictures and video clips as the tributes played were fun to watch. Probably the most fun were the screen tests (excerpts were shown). It was really an inside look into the characters before they were Monkees. You can see why it worked so well.
There was a little video interlude with “Zilch” and a couple other songs before going into “Randy Scouse Git“, complete with Micky on the timpani, just like old times.
During the intermission it was awesome to listen to a few of the fans talking about the memories this all brought back. Some shared a little history they claimed they knew and a few of the ladies spoke of the crushes they had (yes, mostly Davy… the cute charming one!).
The second set started with “Porpoise Song“, which was the theme song from their movie, “Head“. For those who have never seen the movie, you really need to check it out. If you are expecting a happy go lucky Monkees movie, you will be shocked. I thought it was a great movie, others may disagree. It was full of dark metaphor. I will leave it at that. Check it out if you can!
After a few other iconic songs, including “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “That Was Then, This is Now” (from their later years), they finished off the set with a sing-along to “Daydream Believer” and “I Am Not Your Stepping Stone“. It was amazing what a little bit of love for the music could do to make an audience of aging pop rock fans sing!! We actually sounded pretty good!! Sadly, we knew it was coming to an end. With the introduction of the band, including his sister with a wonderful voice, Coco, and a few final notes, the standing O commenced.
I think we all knew what was to come. As Micky and the band came back out, they started to play, “I’m A Believer“, and yes, the sold out Wolf Trap crowd was filled with believers. Looking back, there were so many who had to believe to make The Monkees happen. Someone had to believe it would be possible to take musically inclined actors and turn them into a TV band sensation (to mirror… kinda… The Beatles).. It took believers to take the non-band and turn them into a real band. It took four musician actors who believed in themselves to take on a world who thought they could only be actors. This Monkees celebration epitomized what it means to be a believer.
The Monkees Celebrated By Micky Dolenz Gallery
The Monkees Celebrated By Micky Dolenz Tribute List
(Theme From) The Monkees
Last Train to Clarksville
Take a Giant Step
Papa Gene’s Blues
A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You
The Girl I Knew Somewhere
All of Your Toys
You Told Me
I’ll Spend My Life With You
Forget That Girl
Band 6
You Just May Be the One
Shades of Gray
Davy Jones Tribute Video (Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)
I Can’t Get Her Off My Mind
Peter Tork Tribute Video (Your Auntie Grizelda, Long)
For Pete’s Sake
Mr. Webster
Michael Nesmith Tribute Video (What Am I Doing Hangin’ ’ )
Sunny Girlfriend
Zilch
No Time
Early Morning Blues and Greens
Randy Scouse Git
Porpoise Song (Theme From “Head”)
Pleasant Valley Sunday
I’ll Be Back Up on My Feet
Valleri
That Was Then, This Is Now
Goin’ Down
Daydream Believer
I’m Not Your Stepping Stone
Encore
I’m a Believer
Show Date: April 8, 2023
You loved the music, check out this classic episode on The Monkee’s YouTube channel:
