Micky Dolenz Reflects on Being the Last Monkee: Celebrating Life and Memories

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In a reflection on the legacy of The Monkees, Micky Dolenz has shared that he will ensure the music and memories remain at the forefront as he prepares for his 2026 tour. Following the passing of Mike Nesmith, the last surviving member of the group, Dolenz expressed enthusiasm for celebrating their work rather than dwelling on loss.

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Dolenz, 80, stated, “I feel it’s time to take off the black armband and just celebrate the whole Monkees project.” His upcoming tour, “Micky Dolenz: 60 Years of the Monkees,” is set to launch on February 12 in Solana Beach, California, with 22 dates planned through November. “The show’s not gonna be a memorial. It’s not going to be heavily tributed. I’m just gonna sing the songs and tell the stories,” he emphasized.

The tour will take a structured approach, with Dolenz focusing on the chronology of their music and its connection to the original television series. “I’ll be using videos from the original episodes,” he explained. “There’s still a lot of people who are surprised when I explain how it came to be, that it was a musical comedy sitcom on NBC with us cast in it, not a band in the traditional sense.”

Formed in 1965, The Monkees—comprising Dolenz, Nesmith, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork—originated from a Broadway casting call. Created by Bob Rafelson, the group’s formation was a response to the success of the Beatles’ films, establishing a unique blend of music and television. Their debut album in 1966 propelled them to fame, producing several chart-topping hits like “I’m a Believer” and “Daydream Believer.”

After the television series concluded in 1968, The Monkees continued to perform until 1970 and later reunited for their 20th anniversary in 1986. Dolenz has remained a constant presence in the band’s history, having toured with Nesmith until the latter’s death on December 10, 2021, at age 78.

Dolenz remarked, “John Lennon put it very succinctly, that the Monkees are like the Marx Brothers.” He noted the producers’ foresight in casting versatile performers, indicating it was intentional to build a group that could both perform and entertain. “If they had not intended that, they would not have bothered to have cast four guys who would sing, who could play, who could write, who could act,” he added.

Interestingly, Dolenz never intended to be the Monkees’ drummer. “My audition piece was ‘Johnny B. Goode,’ Chuck Berry, played on guitar,” he recalled. When informed he would be the drummer, he willingly adapted to the role, saying, “I’m an actor; I’ll do what the part requires.”

Dolenz plans to showcase some lesser-known Monkees material during the tour while ensuring that popular hits remain a staple. “They know they will always get the hits,” he stated. “But over the years, I’ve learned that as long as they know they’re gonna get the hits, then I can do deep cuts or even do material from other artists—occasionally.”

In parallel with his music career, Dolenz has published a second children’s book, *Lalu Toot Toot*, illustrated by his daughter, Ami Dolenz. This follows the release of his first book, *Gakky Two-Feet*, in 2006.

Dolenz’s 60 Years of the Monkees tour is set to feature the following dates:

February

• 12 — Belly Up, Solana Beach, Calif.
• 13 — Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Cerritos, Calif.

March

• 3 — Brown County Music Center, Nashville
• 5 — Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, Mich.
• 7 — Silver Creek Event Center, New Buffalo, Mich.

April

• 12 — Landsdowne Theater, Landsdowne, Pa.
• 15-16 — The Barns, Vienna, Va.
• 18 — Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, N.Y.
• 19 — Paramount, Huntington, N.Y.

May

• 7 — Tulsa Theater, Tulsa, Okla.
• 9 — Majestic Theatre, Dallas, Texas
• 11 — Paramount Theatre, Austin, Texas
• 13 — Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio
• 24 — Abbey Road on the River, Jeffersonville, Ind.

June

• 26 — Hard Rock Live, Orlando, Fla.
• 28 — Capitol Theatre, Clearwater, Fla.

July

• 11 — Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside, Ohio

September

• 12 — TBA, Los Angeles

October

• 3 — Borgata Music Box, Atlantic City
• 15 — The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, Pa.
• 17 — Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center, North Tonawanda, N.Y.

November

• 6 — MGM Northfield Park, Northfield, Ohio