KWXY Presents ● Micky Dolenz and the Music of The Monkees

George Michael Dolenz Jr. was born March 8th, 1945 in Los Angeles, California. Dolenz is an American Actor, Musician, Television and Theatre director, and Radio Personality. He is best known as the drummer on NBC’s 1960’s television show “The Monkees”.

Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith - “The Monkees” from a 1967 trade ad. - Billboard page 45 / Entertainment International

Micky Dolenz is the son of actors, George Dolenz and Janelle Johnson. Dolenz started his show-business career in 1956, staring in children’s TV show called “Circus Boy” under the name Mickey Braddock. The show lasted only two seasons, but that did not stop Dolenz from making numerous appearances on network television shows while pursuing his education. In 1964, he performed in an episode entitled “Born of Kings and Angels” of the NBC education drama series, “Mr. Novak”.

Publicity Photo of Micky Dolenz under the name Micky Braddock as Corky from the television program Circus Boy. NBC Television / October 24, 1958

“Micky and the One-Nighters” was Dolenz rock group, performing his own songs, cover songs, and some R&B songs as well. Chuck Berry’s song “Johnny B. Goode” was one of Dolenz favorite songs to cover. Dolenz while in college was hired as the drummer role in NBC’s upcoming show “The Monkees”. Though he was not a drummer, Dolenz took drumming lessons in order to mime drums accordingly. Eventually learning to drum competently by the time The Monkees went on tour in 1966.

Dolenz known for his distinct vocal sound was also lead vocals along side front man, Davy Jones. Dolenz wrote a few of The Monkees famous songs as “Randy Scouse Git”, “Last Train to Clarksville”, “Pleasant Valley Sunday”, and “I’m a Believer”. Dolenz is the only surviving member of The Monkees as of 2019.

After proving The Monkees TV program to be short-lived, Dolenz began recording in his home studio. Recruiting the help of former Monkees’ bassist, Peter Tork and David Price, former Monkees’ stand-in. Price contributed a rock song “Oh Someone” with Dolenz on drums and vocals, and guitarist B.J. Jones coming in days later to perform lead guitar. Dolenz approached life long friend and head of MGM Records, Mike Curb with two songs, and was immediately signed to MGM.

Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz (driver), “The Monkees” TV series / NBC Televison 1967.

Dolenz recorded songs for MGM for three years with Musician Harry Nilsson contributing his song “Daybreak” in the first year. By 1974 with having little to no success, Dolenz headed to England to cut four songs with Toni Scotti. Simultaneously, Mike Curb of MGM left to join Warner Bros. Studio. Dolenz was soon let go from MGM with his final cuts to be unreleased.

“The Monkees Greatest Hits” charted in 1976 due in part to reruns of The Monkees on Saturday morning syndication. Dolenz and Davy Jones took advantage of this, joining former Monkees songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart to tour the United States. For legal reasons, the name Monkees could not be used. From 1975 to 1976 as the “Golden Hits of The Monkees” show successfully performed small venues, state fairs and amusement parks. The group also performed in Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. In 1976 a live album “Concert in Japan” was released by Capitol Records.

In 1977 Dolenz, along with former band mate Davy Jones, performed in stage production of Harry Nilsson’s musical “The Point” at London’s Mermaid Theatre. The performance between Dolenz and Jones was so strong, the show revived the following year. The show was due for a third season, but was considered cost-prohibitive. After the show’s run, Dolenz stayed on in London and began directing for stage and television, in addition to producing and directing several shows.

In addition to his music career and after The Monkees show had ended, Dolenz continued performing as voice overs in several Saturday-morning cartoons as “The Funky Phantom”, “Partridge Family 2200A.D. and The Scooby-Doo Show. He also performed in live-action shows such as Adam 12 and murder-mystery film “Night of the Strangler”. Dolenz and former Monkees guitarist, Michael Nesmith both auditioned for the role of Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli on the hit show “Happy Days”. Unfortunately, the two stars were not selected due to the fact they were taller than the lead role played by future film director, Ron Howard.

“Micky Dolenz – Live in Japan” vinyl LP / 7A Records - 1982

In 1980 Dolenz produced and directed the British television sitcom “Metal Mickey”. In 1981, he directed a short film “Balham, Gateway to the South” with Robbie Coltrane performing many of the roles. 1994-1995 Dolenz performed in two episodes of “Boy Meets World”. He was also a contender for the role of The Riddler in the early development of Batman Forever, directed by Joel Schumacher.

WCBS-FM an oldies radio station replaced Dan Taylor with Dolenz in January of 2005. In celebration of his 100th show, aired at the late B.B. Kings home. Dolenz in a bizarre twist was informed that the station was letting go of all its jockeys to introduce a Jack format. In 2007 and months later after the stations reintroduction, Dolenz was invited back to host a three hour broadcast on Sunday evenings called “New York Radio Greats”. He was also in the 2007 remake of Halloween, directed by Rob Zombie.

February of 2012 Dolenz, Peter Tork, and Michael Nesmith reunited The Monkees and held a tribute tour after the sudden death of former front man Davy Jones. The Monkees toured once more the following year as well as in 2015/2016 as a duo with only Dolenz and Tork. After Tork’s death in early 2019, Dolenz and Nesmith toured as “The Mike and Micky Show”. They performed several unreleased songs of Nesmith.

In September of 2021, Dolenz and Michael Nesmith embarked on a 46 date “Monkees Farewell Tour.” The tour culminated on November 14,at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre, where the show would be Michael Nesmith’s final stage performance, before Nesmith’s death on December 10, 2021.

With the passing of Michael Nesmith in 2021, Micky Dolenz is now the only surviving member of The Monkees.

Micky Dolenz

From “The Monkees” NBC Televison series, publicity / fan mail photograph 1966.

This Saturday April 1, 2023, Dolenz kicks off “THE MONKEES CELEBRATED BY MICKY DOLENZ”, a tour to celebrate a new box set based around The Monkees’ third #1 album, Headquarters. Micky will be performing the material from the legendary long-player.

KWXY Presents ● Micky Dolenz and the Music of The Monkees today at 5pm hosted by Louie Comella, on KWXY Music Radio 92.3FM ● 1340AM ● streaming at kwxy.com and ivoxradio.com