Reviews: Monkees Coast To Coast Concerts, October 20-21, 2017

As Reported by Mark Strickland and Fred Velez

Monkees Fans on both the East and West Coasts of the United States got a special treat from October 20 to 21st, 2017 when the three surviving members of the Monkees performed separate concerts on both coasts.

East Coast

Peter Tork at Westbury Music Fair 10-21-17

Peter Tork made his only 2017 concert appearance this year at the Westbury Music Fair as part of Hot Autumn Nights show, joining The Buckinghams, The Grassroots and Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone. Peter Tork performed with his band Shoe Suede Blues, opening the show with a short twenty minute set. Peter performed three Monkees songs and two Blues numbers.

Photo by Fred Velez

Photo by Fred Velez

During the set Peter Noone joined Tork on stage with Noone asking for Tork’s autograph for his daughter and the two Peters performed the Monkees classic ‘I’m A Believer’.

Photo by Fred Velez

Peter ended his set with ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday’. While generally well received, some fans in the audience were a bit disappointed that he didn’t perform more Monkees songs like ‘Auntie Grizelda’ or ‘For Pete’s Sakes’. Four Monkees fans from Japan traveled all the way to the States just to see Peter and were able to meet him back stage and the other acts on the bill and attended the pre-show soundcheck which made their trip extra special for them.

The Buckinghams and The Grassroots followed Peter performing their hits to great applause from the audience. Interesting to note that The Grassroots were one of the bands to open for The Monkees 1986 Reunion Tour, and two members of the Grassroots, guitarist Dusty Handy and keyboardist Larry Nelson, were part of the ’86 Monkees band. Herman’s Hermits with Peter Noone closed the show with a one hour set chock full of Hermit’s hits and Noone’s hysterically entertaining personality, aided by guitarist Vrandel Brescia, formerly of The Mosquitos who had written the Monkees 1986 reunion single ‘That Was Then, This Is Now’.

It was a fun evening full of the greatest Pop Music hits of the 1960’s. And the Two Peter’s added to the fun!

Peter Tork Westbury Setlist

A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
Bring It With You
Cross Cut Saw
I’m a Believer (with Peter Noone)
Pleasant Valley Sunday

Fred Velez, 2017.

West Coast

Micky and Mike at Canyon Club 10/20/2017
By Mark Strickland [Additional Notes by Fred Velez)

Link: Mark Strickland – Hey!! It’s The Monkees! Review

Micky Dolenz Reunites With Mike Nesmith (Photo Credit: Mark Strickland)

On Friday October 20th, Monkee Micky Dolenz and his band rocked the Canyon Club in Agoura, CA before a packed house of fans young and old.

Dolenz took the stage wearing a suit and his signature fedora kicking off the evening with (“I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone”. This was followed by a string of Monkees hits that included; “Mary Mary,” “She,” “Sometime In The Morning,” “Last Train To Clarksville,” “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You,” “Let’s Dance On” and many more.

Mike Nesmith Reunites With Micky Dolenz (Photo Credit: Mark Strickland)

As he introduced the songs, Dolenz praised the contributions made to the music of The Monkees by songwriters such as Carol King & Gerry Goffin (“Pleasant Valley Sunday”), Neil Diamond “(I’m A Believer” and “Last Train To Clarksville”), Boyce And Hart (“Words”, “Valleri” and “Steppin’ Stone”) and of course, “Daydream Believer” written by John Stewart of Kingston Trio fame.

Some select covers were also in the set including Spencer Davis’ “Gimme Some Lovin’,” “D.W. Washburn” by the Coasters and “That Was Then, This Is Now” by The Mosquitos. At one point, Dolenz told the story of Jimi Hendrix opening for The Monkees during the early stages of his career, then launched into their own version of the psychedelic anthem “Purple Haze.”

Kiefo Nilsson, son of the late Harry Nilsson, joined the band for a duet on “Good Times” which served as a nice legacy to the song written by his father. [Kiefo Nilsson also performed ‘Good Times’ with Micky Dolenz at the Saban Theater on October 21st.]

Micky Dolenz introduces his Sister Coco (Photo Credit: Tyrone Biljan/dis Company)

Micky also introduced his own sister, Coco, to sing the Mike Nesmith penned hit ‘Different Drum’ which he noted was turned down by the producers of The Monkees TV show but later went on to become a hit for Linda Ronstadt.

The highlight of the evening was the reunion of fellow Monkee Mike Nesmith and his son Christian Nesmith [and Circe Link] who joined Micky for “Me & Magdalena” and the encore, ‘Listen To The Band’ and ‘I’m A Believer’.

Peter Tork was not on hand, but would have been honored with Micky’s rendition of his #1 hit, “For Pete’s Sake.” The only thing missing from the evening was the dearly departed Davy Jones, who was definitely there in spirit. [Jones’ first wife Linda Haines along with his daughters Talia, Jessica and Annabel were in attendance raising funds for the Davy Jones Memorial Equine Fund.]

Mark Strickland, 2017.

The next evening, October 21st, Micky brought his show to the Saban Theater. The opening act was The Nuclear Option with Severo Jornacion (Smithereens) Guy Hoffman ( Violent Femmes, Bodeans,) and fronted by Marty Ross of The Wigs and the New Monkees who performed an energetic set that included a guest appearance by fellow New Monkee member Dino Kovas.

Photo by Gino Mifsud

Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals was up next performing the great hits of The Rascals.

Micky Dolenz and his band, which included his sister Coco, headlined the show performing favorite Monkees hits.

Michael Nesmith appeared again as a special guest performing with Micky on the song ‘Me And Magdalena’ from last years ‘Good Times’ album and also sang ‘Listen To The Band’ and ‘I’m A Believer’ during the encore.

Fans came from as far away as England and Japan attended the two California shows and also took part in meet & greets with Dolenz & Nesmith at both venues.

October 20-21 was a great weekend for Monkees Fans from Coast to Coast!

Fred Velez, 2017.