Davy Jones is dead.
Another huge, massive part of our childhood goes the way of the Rambler. Thanks for all the good, no, for all the great times!
Beatles have died and those deaths were so hard to deal with. A Rolling Stone died, but face it, we were dealing with the Stones, so it was easier because we were younger and it wasn’t really that much of a surprise because Brian was a mess.
The Who, The Doors, The Dead. Each experienced sad, tragic band member deaths, but, well, what can you say: these guys lived on the edge.
Now, a Monkee. A Monkee is gone. One of The Monkees, for crying out loud! It's nothing short of downright surreal to think that a Monkee is actually gone.
Another huge, massive part of our childhood goes the way of the Rambler. Thanks for all the good, no, for all the great times!
Beatles have died and those deaths were so hard to deal with. A Rolling Stone died, but face it, we were dealing with the Stones, so it was easier because we were younger and it wasn’t really that much of a surprise because Brian was a mess.
The Who, The Doors, The Dead. Each experienced sad, tragic band member deaths, but, well, what can you say: these guys lived on the edge.
Now, a Monkee. A Monkee is gone. One of The Monkees, for crying out loud! It's nothing short of downright surreal to think that a Monkee is actually gone.
It’s hard to believe … impossible to believe. I’m not a believer.
As Mickey Dolenz fought baldness and wrinkles and Peter Tork fought cancer and Mike Nesmith fought blindness, Davy appeared eternally youthful. He’d live forever. It’s just so damned hard to believe that the guy not only could die – but actually has died.
Hell, Keith Richards is thriving; living life, loving life more than ever at 68. Joe Cocker, whose drug and alcohol abuse back in the day is legendary, recently released his latest album to fine reviews.
When I was kid, those good folks at NBC publicity saw me coming. They reeled me in with the ease of a pro with a Bass Master. Weeks before the show’s September 12, 1966 premiere, “The Monkees are coming! The Monkees are coming!” I knew nothing about The Monkees but I couldn’t wait!
Finally, it was The Big Night! 8 pm & “The Monkees” were on the air, and it was great! It was fast, it was funny, it was off-the-wall. It was great!
Finally, it was The Big Night! 8 pm & “The Monkees” were on the air, and it was great! It was fast, it was funny, it was off-the-wall. It was great!
And, yes, I loved the songs. They did a Boyce & Hart tune, “This Just Doesn’t Seem to be My Day” that I still don’t know, and Goffin-King’s “Take a Giant Step,” that I do.
Okay, I knew where I was gonna be on Monday nights at 8 for the next couple years. Glad I got that part of my life planned and taken care of.
Okay, I knew where I was gonna be on Monday nights at 8 for the next couple years. Glad I got that part of my life planned and taken care of.
Another reason I was primed to see the show, aside from the NBC’s Under Assistant West Coast Promo Men, was the release of that first single, Boyce & Hart’s “Last Train to Clarksville,” on August 16th that year, a month prior to The Big Night. NBC & Colgems Records planned it all beautifully by The Big Night, boy, was I ready!
Musically, bam-bam-bam came the songs! One after another the came, and L.A.’s Big Three AM radio stations, KRLA, KHJ and KFWB, played their songs non-stop. Neil Diamond’s “I’m a Believer”; another one by Boyce & Hart, “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone”; then another one by Neil, “A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You” and on and on …
Musically, bam-bam-bam came the songs! One after another the came, and L.A.’s Big Three AM radio stations, KRLA, KHJ and KFWB, played their songs non-stop. Neil Diamond’s “I’m a Believer”; another one by Boyce & Hart, “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone”; then another one by Neil, “A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You” and on and on …
All my pals and pal-ettes in 7th and 8th grade at Oak Ave. Jr. High in Temple City were into it. I don’t recall hearing a single discouraging word from anyone. We were hooked and it was a beautiful thing! A communal experience. We didn’t go anywhere on Monday nights and we bought their records.
For me, it was their albums – never bought their singles. My sister Jeanette was a huge fan – bigger’n me, even. If I recall correctly, she bought each of the Fab Fabricated Foursome’s first five LPs, “The Monkees,” the natural follow-up, “More of The Monkees,” “Headquarters,” “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.,” and “The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees” into 1968.
I saw them once, a reunion show in the ‘90s at the Universal Amphitheatre (now called the Gibson Amphitheatre). They were a trio then. Monkee Mike didn’t want to be a Monkee anymore. Fun? Hell, yes, it was fun!
A couple years ago, I saw Monkee Mickey twice in a week. Once at a free picnic concert at Warner Park in Woodland Hills, then at the L.A. County Fair as part of The Turtles’ “Happy Together” tour with former Paul Revere & The Raiders singer Mark Lindsay, The Buckinghams and The Grass Roots. Fun? C’mon, how could it possibly not be!
The Monkees reunited during the second half of last year for a 45th Anniversary Tour. It was scheduled to run to Halloween. However, it came to an abrupt halt a month sooner. Apparently, a wee bit of friction between Peter, Mickey & Davy, ended the ride. It was indeed the Last Train to Clarksville.
Davy was about to return to SoCal, the place he found so much fame. He was set to headline the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts on March 31. Sadly, he didn't make it.
So, enjoy the memories. For us – Boomers & seniors – they’re special.
Rest in peace, Davy Jones.
For me, it was their albums – never bought their singles. My sister Jeanette was a huge fan – bigger’n me, even. If I recall correctly, she bought each of the Fab Fabricated Foursome’s first five LPs, “The Monkees,” the natural follow-up, “More of The Monkees,” “Headquarters,” “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.,” and “The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees” into 1968.
I saw them once, a reunion show in the ‘90s at the Universal Amphitheatre (now called the Gibson Amphitheatre). They were a trio then. Monkee Mike didn’t want to be a Monkee anymore. Fun? Hell, yes, it was fun!
A couple years ago, I saw Monkee Mickey twice in a week. Once at a free picnic concert at Warner Park in Woodland Hills, then at the L.A. County Fair as part of The Turtles’ “Happy Together” tour with former Paul Revere & The Raiders singer Mark Lindsay, The Buckinghams and The Grass Roots. Fun? C’mon, how could it possibly not be!
The Monkees reunited during the second half of last year for a 45th Anniversary Tour. It was scheduled to run to Halloween. However, it came to an abrupt halt a month sooner. Apparently, a wee bit of friction between Peter, Mickey & Davy, ended the ride. It was indeed the Last Train to Clarksville.
Davy was about to return to SoCal, the place he found so much fame. He was set to headline the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts on March 31. Sadly, he didn't make it.
So, enjoy the memories. For us – Boomers & seniors – they’re special.
Rest in peace, Davy Jones.
Well said,, Steve. One of your best articles. You put yourself into it and said what you feel and in doing so reflected our feelings
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