LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 5, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Sept. 16 of this year marks the 50th anniversary of The Monkees television series and the release of the band’s debut single, “Last Train To Clarksville.”
The Monkees will celebrate by releasing a new album and will embarking on an extensive North American tour, according to Rolling Stone.
The new album and tour, both titled “Good Times!,” will feature several songs written for the group in the 1960s. The music was never recorded or released. It includes Neil Diamond’s “Love to Love,” Carole King’s “Wasn’t Born To Follow” and Mike Nesmith’s “I Know What I Know.”
The title track, although never finished, was written by Harry Nilsson and cut at a 1968 session with Mike Nesmith on guitar. The group plans to flesh out the tune, turning it into a virtual duet between Nilsson and Monkees singer Micky Dolenz.
The Monkees last toured in 2011, when the three-man lineup of Dolenz, Peter Tork and Davy Jones reunited for their 45th anniversary.
Jones died of a sudden heart attack early the following year, and months later the group stunned fans by hitting the road with Mike Nesmith, who sat out nearly all Monkees reunion tours since the group split in 1971, Rolling Stone reports.
As of now, there’s no formal plans for Mike Nesmith to contribute any guitar or vocal parts.
The tour kicks off May 18 in Fort Myers, Florida, and runs though Oct. 29, wrapping in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, though more dates may be added.
Tork and Dolenz plan on performing many songs that originally featured Nesmith on lead vocals, though he won’t be on the tour.
“He’s always invited,” says Dolenz. “And at times he has blessed us with his presence. I don’t see him going on the road, and certainly not for the whole grueling thing. I sure hope he does show up at some point and sing a couple of songs with us.”
The Monkees Tour Dates
May 18 – Fort Myers, FL, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
May 19 – Melbourne, FL, King Center for the Performing Arts
May 20 – Tampa, FL, Ruth Eckerd Hall
May 21 – Atlanta, GA, Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater
May 24 – Charlotte, NC, Blumenthal PAC – Belk Theater
May 26 – Washington, DC, Warner Theatre
May 27 – Boston, MA, The Wilbur Theatre
May 28 – Philadelphia, PA, Keswick Theatre
May 29 – Red Bank, NJ, Count Basie Theatre
June 1 – New York, NY, The Town Hall
June 3 – Toronto, ON, Casino Rama
June 4 – Windsor, ON, The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
June 5 – Cleveland, OH, Hard Rock Live Northfield Park
June 7 – Fort Wayne, IN, Foellinger Theatre
June 10 – Louisville, KY, Louisville Palace Theatre
June 11 – Hammond, IN, The Venue at Horseshoe Casino
June 12 – Indianapolis, IN, Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
June 14 – Dayton, OH, Rose Music Center at The Heights
June 28 – Dallas, TX, AT&T PAC – Winspear Opera House
June 30 – Tulsa, OK, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
July 1 – Mayetta, KS, Prairie Band Casino & Resort
July 16 – Hampton Beach, NH, Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
July 22 – Hot Springs, AR, Oaklawn Racing and Gaming
Sept. 14 – Tucson, AZ, Fox Tucson Theater
Sept. 15 – Phoenix, AZ, Mesa Arts Center
Sept. 16 – Los Angeles, CA, Pantages Theatre
Sept. 17 – Las Vegas, NV, Primm Valley Casino Resorts
Sept. 20 – San Francisco, CA, The Warfield
Sept. 21 – Modesto, CA, Gallo Center For The Arts
Sept. 23 & 24 – Lincoln City, OR, Chinook Winds Casino Resort
Sept. 25 – Seattle, WA, The Moore Theatre
Oct. 1 – Biloxi, MS, Hard Rock Live
Oct. 22 – Paso Robles, CA, Vina Robles Amphitheatre
Oct. 29 – Shippensburg, PA, H. Ric Luhrs PAC
