Ron Thal/Globe Photos, Inc.The Monkees' first tour in 15 years to feature original member Michael Nesmith kicks off Thursday in Escondido, California. The trek, dubbed An Evening with The Monkees, will make a total of 12 stops by the time it winds down December 2 in New York City. Sadly absent from the outing will be singer Davy Jones, who **** in February at age 66 after suffering a heart attack.
Many fans assumed that Nesmith's involvement in the new tour came about solely because of Jones' passing, but Micky Dolenz says that's not entirely true. Speaking recently with ABC News Radio, the singer/drummer explains that prior to Davy's death, the group had been considering doing a tour that would have focused on The Monkees' landmark 1967 album Headquarters, and reveals that Nesmith had expressed interest in participating in the trek when he was first told about it. Unfortunately, Jones **** before the project had a chance to take shape.
Dolenz tells ABC News Radio that plans for this tour did start coming together at a Los Angeles memorial for Jones, when he, Nesmith and Peter Tork shared their mutual desire to pay tribute to their fallen band mate.
Adds Micky, "We did decide we're not calling it the Davy Jones Memorial Concert Tour, 'cause that just didn't feel right, but he will absolutely be remembered [during the shows.] There will be a tribute and an homage, and I think the fans are gonna be very, very pleased."
In addition, Dolenz points out that the concerts will indeed showcase Headquarters, the first Monkees album on which the four band members made an effort to make major musical and songwriting contributions.
"We're gonna be doing Headquarters and we're going to be doing it ourselves," he declares, while explaining that back in 1967, "when we went on the road [for] the very first Monkees stadium tour, it was Mike on the guitar, me on drums and Peter on bass."
Dolenz adds that the group has no intention of skimping on delivering The Monkees' most beloved tunes too.
"We're gonna be doing all the big Monkee hits, in their entirety," insists, explaining, "All those people are there. They wanna hear me sing 'I'm a Believer'…That's why we're there. They love that music, and, so, we'll absolutely be giving them all of that."
Meanwhile, Dolenz says he's excited to be playing with Nesmith again, who, he reports, is still at the top of his game.
"He's singing better than ever," maintains Micky. "He's playing great and it's wonderful. It's a thrill to see."
Fans of Nesmith also will get more chances to see him perform next year, as Dolenz says, "He's going out in the spring again here in the States, doing a solo tour."
Log on to Rhino.com to check out The Monkees' entire itinerary.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio
