HERE COME ‘THE MONKEES’
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine Nolan
Over the years, music has been transformed dependent on the society in which we live and the lifestyle to which we are accustomed to. We’ve gone from blues to jazz to rock to disco to rap to trance and everything in between. Music is almost always a matter of choice.
Groups come and go but more and more these days, we see groups and individual artists from the 70’s and 80’s making a comeback and attracting as many fans as they did back then.
One of the musical sensations that we remember and love are “The Monkees”. Girls swooned over their good looks and songs like ‘Daydream Believer’ became instant overnight hits. Their lifesize posters were seen on walls in most teenage girls’ bedrooms.
This past Wednesday, the remaining three members of the original musical group announced that they will launch a 12-date US Tour this coming November. The last time the group united was in 1997.
Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Peter Tork began performing together in 1966. Strangely enough, back then they were brought together to do a television show about an imaginary rock band which somehow transpired into making them a live rock band to even their surprise. The show continued for three years, however, their musical career stretched on for almost six years and even when that ended, they continued reunions several times over the years. Their biggest hits included “Last Train to Clarksville”, “I’m A Believer” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday”. As of 2012, their albums and singles have sold over 65 million copies worldwide.
Unfortunately in February of this year, the group suffered a great loss when their good friend and fellow band member, Davy Jones, died of a heart attack at the age of 66. This hit them hard but in memory of their friend, the three remaining members will keep Davy Jones’ memory alive by highlighting him in the tour’s ‘multimedia content’.
The tour will begin on November 8th in Escondido, California and end on December 2nd in New York. The group will also play in other cities in California, in Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Looking back in retrospect, this group was as loved and as widely known as ‘The Beatles’ giving them a run for their money. “The Monkees” enjoyed their fame and fortune but stayed down to earth throughout their stardom. Audiences are looking forward to going back in time and reliving the good years with the beloved group known as “The Monkees”.
PHOTO CREDITS: Getty Images
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