Despite undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery over the summer, Michael Nesmith toured in September 2018 to promote his recent live album with the First National Band Redux. A 12-date tour, which began September 7 in Houston, Tex., was packed into a roughly two-week schedule with what he calls a “great band, great players.” (Watch several songs below.)
The Houston Chronicle reported that Nesmith got emotional at the Heights Theater and had “tears run down his face during a three-song solo mini-set” during the 90-minute performance.
In June, the final four dates of his duo tour with fellow Monkees member, Micky Dolenz, were abruptly canceled for what was initially described as “minor health issue.” It was subsequently revealed that Nesmith was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Those dates have since been rescheduled for 2019. (See below.)
Watch Nez on September 11 in Nashville
Earlier this year, the singer-songwriter staged a reunion of his other groundbreaking group, the First National Band. Calling it the First National Band Redux, Nez played the famous Troubadour in West Hollywood. That performance was released on July 27 by 7a Records, a British label specializing in Monkees-related material. The Chronicle report indicated that two of Nesmith’s sons performed with him on the tour.
Watch Nesmith perform on opening night, September 7, including his own well known song, “Different Drum”
Posted by Michael Nesmith on Friday, September 7, 2018
Nesmith sounded in great spirits in a note on his Facebook page: “My health is stabilizing and I have green-lit the rest of the tour that I had to cancel with Micky. Not sure what might happen in the future but looking forward to the dates that will start (in just a few weeks — yikes!) in Houston. Then on to Austin, Dallas and places Northeast!
“Great band, great players — music sounds better than ever. See you on stage.” (See the itinerary below.)
Upon leaving the Monkees in 1970, says a press release for the FNB album, Nesmith started the pioneering country-rock outfit the First National band. The FNB released three albums—Magnetic South, Loose Salute and Nevada Fighter—”that sold very little on their initial release, but have since been heralded as absolute classics that helped shape country rock.”
With the passing of original members John London and Red Rhodes, says the press release, “It was thought the FNB would never perform again. But the internet went into meltdown late last year when Nez announced he was assembling a new posse of musicians to honor this music and take it out on the road again.”
Related: Q&A with Michael Nesmith
Watch three tunes from the Troubadour concert
Nesmith turned 76 on December 30, 2018.
The Mike and Micky Show 2019 Dates (Tickets are available here and here)
3/01 – Medford, MA – Chevalier Theatre
3/02 – Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Resort Casino
3/03 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre
3/05 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theatre (orig. June 25)
3/06 – Glenside, PA – The Keswick Theatre (orig. June 21)
3/08 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount (orig. June 23)
3/09 – New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre (orig. June 22)
3/10 – Albany, NY – Palace Theatre
3/12 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
3/14 – Prior Lake. MN – Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
3/15 – New Buffalo, MI – Four Winds Casino
3/16 – St Charles, MO – The Family Arena
6/8 Christchurch – Isaac Theatre
6/9 Auckland – Great Hall
6/10 Wellington – Michael Fowler Centre
6/12 Brisbane – QPAC
6/15 Melbourne – Palais Theatre
6/16 Perth – Astor Theatre
6/18 Sydney – Sydney Opera House
Related: Listings for 100s of classic rock tours
Watch another favorite from September 11 in Nashville
3 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationWhy does this list only 14 songs? A different site I was just at lists 21 tracks.
21 it is! We’ve corrected the item, Guy, and fired the intern.
Well I’m glad someone got fired for that blunder!
No I’m not. Just kidding. And I hope you are too.
Also, “vinyl-only” bonus tracks are a drag.