Hey did anyone tell ya Mike Nesmith is still alive?
Sorry, I had to do it :-)
Actually I have a couple of Nesmith’s albums, and I think all the Monkees albums. I watched their TV show in 66, learned several of their songs, (Been a guitar player since 1960) always liked their music.
Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith never really got credit for their ability as musicians. Mike is a great songwriter and very good guitar player, as well as other instruments, and Peter can play multiple instruments too. Mickey Dolenz and Davy Jones ended up learning guitar or keyboards, but Mike and Peter were actually musicians.
My favorite Nesmith songs are from the album “From a Radio Engine to a Photon Wing” album and “Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma” both from the 70’s. “Rio” was one nice laid back song, the song “Cruisin” was a later effort and won best video on MTV in their 1st year or 2.
The Monkees actually did their first tour with Hendrix, they both got along very well but parted company halfway through, both realizing it just didn’t work. They both were still huge fans of each other though, and parted on friendly terms.
Sorry to hear Peter is no longer with us...I just recorded a couple of Monkees songs onto mp3 not long ago, I Have a turntable that plugs into a USB port. It was fun listening to them again...”Your Auntie Grizelda” is an old favorite. “I’m Gonna Buy Me A Dog” is one of the songs I recorded...yeah I have a streak of 60’s weird still...
I heard a Mike Nesmith interview where he said that the Monkees were pretty ordinary musicians and the only exceptional aspect of their music was Davy Jones' vocals.
RIP, Peter.
My childhood has been taking a beating in the last couple of months. The social icons of my generation are falling fast.