Dolenz & Tork:  A Couple of Monkees

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Spun from a popular TV show in the 1960s, the Monkees have  reunited (again), and make a stop at the Borgata June 18. Members Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork chat with Atlantic City Weekly.

By Ed Condran 

Add Comment | Comments: 1 | Posted Jun. 15, 2011

The Monkees

Whenever Mickey Dolenz watches an episode of Glee, he can’t help but think of the show, which launched and continues to propel his career with the band the Monkees. 

“If you remember, The Monkees was a television show about an imaginary rock group going to imaginary places singing and dancing, and the closest to our show today is Glee,” says Dolenz. “It’s a huge success and to me that’s not surprising. It’s an entertaining show just like the show we did. It’s great to see that fans are behind it.” 

Dolenz still loves going out every few years with the Monkees.  

“It’s great,” Dolenz says. “It’s an absolute joy. We each love it for different reasons. If you asked each of us why, you’d get three different answers.” 

But the bottom line is that Dolenz, Peter Tork and Davy Jones, are usually up for the Monkees reunions. Whenever Tork would play solo shows over recent years, the inevitable question was: When will the Monkees reunite? 

The amiable vocalist-guitarist would always note that he was eager to return to the group, which formed in 1966 after a myriad of performers auditioned for roles for a television series about a rock group, dubbed “The Monkees.” 

“I’m always up to record and play as a Monkee,” Tork tells Atlantic City Weekly. “Why wouldn’t I be? It’s always been a phenomenal experience.” 

The Monkees certainly outlasted the quirky and funny eponymous television program, which aired from 1966 to 1968. The Monkees have sold more than 50 million albums. The group called it a day in 1971. 

However, the Monkees, who will perform Saturday, June 18, at the Borgata, have reformed four times, each without vocalist-guitarist Mike Nesmith. 

“It’s always a pleasure to be out with those guys,” Dolenz tells Atlantic City Weekly. “We’ve had a lot of fun over the years and we’ve had some hits.”  

“Daydream Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday” are just some of the many smashes the Monkees hit with that are still staples on oldies radio. 

“You can’t escape the Monkees,” Tork says. “I always thought we had a certain something.” 

That “something” is chemistry. It’s obvious in song and even more so while looking back at their seminal television show, which was inspired by the success of the Beatles film A Hard Day’s Night. 

The group, which was derided as the “Pre-Fab Four” during the ’60s made a surprising comeback 20 years after forming. Thanks to MTV, the Monkees hit a new generation of fans. The music network aired a Monkees marathon and Nickelodeon followed by airing the series. 

“It didn’t surprise me,” Tork says. “Kids love that show. It’s been generations since we’ve done that show, but it still works. I think it works because the show features young adults without a single adult guiding them. It was shot during the Vietnam era, which is not too different than today. We’re also in the middle of a war that we don’t know how to end. Authority was not on our side then and it’s not on our side now. The best interest of youth is not in the authority’s interest today. It’s unfortunate. Television is different today. A show as wacky and funny as ours sticks out today.” 

The Monkees still have a blast when they take the stage today.  

“It’s fun playing the old songs with the guys,” Dolenz says. “That’s always been so. We were fortunate to find each other and have so much success. We appreciate it and enjoy every minute together when we do get back on stage.”  

See a video of Micky Dolenz playing “I'm a Believer" at an Ocean City music store in 2009:

The Monkees   Where: The Borgata Music Box,  1 Borgata Way, A.C.   When: Saturday, June 18, 9pm  How much: $75 and $150.   Phone: 317-100 