Sep 10, 2021: Monkees’ Dolenz and Nesmith Begin Farewell Tour
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Micky Dolenz, on the second night of the 2021 tour
After being delayed several times, on Sept. 10, 2021, Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith finally began what was billed as the Monkees’ Farewell Tour. The run was supposed to begin in April 2020 but the shows were postponed – twice – due to the pandemic. The 2021 tour, with more than three dozen dates, continued into November, and featured “all the hits, deep cuts, and fan favorites.” At the opening night concert, Dolenz and Nesmith played 31 songs including such classics as “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Daydream Believer,” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” along with such LP cuts as “Sweet Young Thing” and “Papa Gene’s Blues.” Watch several performances from the 2021 tour below.
Michael Nesmith, on the 2021 tour’s second night
The two remaining members of the famed pop group toured together in recent years, and released an album in 2020, The Monkees – The Mike & Micky Show Live, a 24-track collection recorded in March 2019.
When it was originally booked for 2020, the tour was billed as “A Night of Magic Music & Memories.” It was later changed to ”The Monkees Farewell Tour with Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz.”
The pair wore their trademark headwear: a fedora for Dolenz, and wool hat for Nesmith.
The following clips are from the 2021 tour’s second performance, on Sept. 11 at the Moore Theatre in Seattle.
Watch Dolenz sing Nesmith’s “Mary, Mary,” which appeared on More of the Monkees
Watch Dolenz sing his 1967 song, “Randy Scouse Git”
Watch Nesmith sing his song “Circle Sky,” which closed the evening’s first set
Here are “The Girl I Knew Somewhere” and “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone”
Related: Our detailed look at the Monkees’ incredible first year
Watch them perform “Daydream Believer” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday” to close the main set on Sept. 11
Dolenz, who had turned 76 on March 8, released a new album in 2021, his first new solo studio effort in nine years, comprised entirely of songs Nesmith wrote throughout his career. Dolenz Sings Nesmith, produced by Nesmith’s son, Christian Nesmith, from 7a Records, is available here.
Nesmith, who turned 78 on December 30, 2020, was the subject of a recent release, Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor Recordings, with 22 tracks drawn from the vaults. It’s available here.
Thanks to issaquahwa for the videos.
On Dec. 10, 2021, exactly three months after the tour began, Nesmith died from a heart ailment.
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16 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationHad the first 4 albums on vinyl and CD when you were The Monkees
It says the there’s a date for Sep 19 – Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre. You click the link for Ticketmaster, says there’s dates playing in AZ?
Some of the venues apparently don’t use Ticketmaster.
Correct. The Milwaukee venue doesn’t use Ticketbastard, for instance, so it won’t be on their site. Milwaukee’s Riverside and Pabst Theaters are owned by the same group and do their own ticketing.
For shows not with TM (B) fans should call the venue or go their website for info.
Why isn’t Las Vegas on the tour????????
Andrew Sandoval said there was a Vegas venue that had a hold but it pulled out.
At least they are doing it in your country, what about us in UK and other countries.
North Carolina?
Greensboro, Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte? I’d do anything to go. I’d walk to see Mike and Mickey.
I understand if you can’t though. ❤❤
Sad to see M&M hang it up, but Father Time remains undefeated. Looking forward to seeing them in Milwaukee!
Really, I just hope the pandemic continues to decline and the guys stay healthy. There have been questions about Nez’s recent health. Stay well, guys!
Wish they were coming to Colorado
There is no Las Vegas on the tour? I wish they were coming Las Vegas.
No Omaha Nebraska? We are fans too!
I grew up with 60s, 70s Rock. The appeal of this farewell journey for the surviving members of a Made-for-TV pop band… does elude me.
Get over it, “Jazzman.”
Made for TV? Yes. So?
The Monkees hits are among some of the best pop-rock of the 60s. Gonna tell me “I’m a Believer,” “I’m Not Your Stepping Stone,” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday” aren’t great records? If you only know the hits, there’s even better deep cuts.
They weren’t allowed to play on the early records, but they had talent and fought for the right to play. They did, and the records got even better. Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. is a gem of an album.
Michael Nesmith is a country rock pioneer and one of the great songwriters of our time. Linda Ronstadt has her first hit with his “Different Drum,” the Butterield Blues Band covered his “Mary, Mary” while the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and many others have covered his songs too.
Check out their trippy, crazy movie “HEAD,” and have your mind blown. Great music, including the epic “Porpoise Song.,” the four Monkees, alone, showing their chops on stage playing “Circle Sky,” and one of the weirdest, most lysergic films ever made.
Micky Dolenz remains, in his mid 70s, one of the best pop-rock vocalists around. Dude’s an ageless wonder.
Tom Petty was a huge fan. Elvis Costello and Michael Stipe are fans. Their terrific 2016 album Good Times! Is a power pop gem that includes contributions from fans like Andy Partridge (XTC), Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie), Noel Gallagher (Oasis) and Paul Weller (The Jam).
In the words of Bob Dylan (Who played The Monkees on his old radio show) “Don’t criticize what you don’t understand.”
It would have been nice, if Michael Nesmith had worn his trademark green wool hat like he did during the 1960s TV series.
I remember reading LONG ago that Mike tossed his hat out into the audience at one of the very first concerts the Monkees played in early ‘67.