So long, Nez. Michael Nesmith, Monkees Singer-Songwriter, Dead at 78
December 10, 2021 10:56 AM Subscribe
“With infinite love we announce that Michael Nesmith has passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully and of natural causes,” Monkees singer and guitarist Michael Nesmith, a pop visionary who penned many of the group’s most enduring songs before laying the groundwork for country rock with the First National Band in the early Seventies, died Friday from natural causes. He was 78.
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posted by Halloween Jack at 11:03 AM on December 10, 2021
posted by Halloween Jack at 11:03 AM on December 10, 2021
♪
As if his work with the Monkees weren't enough, he was instrumental in producing the movie Repo Man.
posted by Gelatin at 11:04 AM on December 10, 2021 [25 favorites]
As if his work with the Monkees weren't enough, he was instrumental in producing the movie Repo Man.
posted by Gelatin at 11:04 AM on December 10, 2021 [25 favorites]
My parents with my favorite aunt and uncle, all enormous stoners, watched his Elephant Parts rock comedy VHS tape every weekend for years. As an only child pre-teen hanging out with them it formed a huge part of my comedy taste.
Pouring one out for Lucy, Ramona, and Sunset Sam.
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posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:05 AM on December 10, 2021 [17 favorites]
Pouring one out for Lucy, Ramona, and Sunset Sam.
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posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:05 AM on December 10, 2021 [17 favorites]
That's not even Michael Nesmith's real hat.
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 11:06 AM on December 10, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 11:06 AM on December 10, 2021 [4 favorites]
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posted by HandfulOfDust at 11:12 AM on December 10, 2021
posted by HandfulOfDust at 11:12 AM on December 10, 2021
Sad day - in the last 2 years I took a deep dive into the Nez catalog and it's all so very very solid. He has a number of live albums out and his inter-song banter is really sweet; he comes across as a genuine fella.
Highly recommended is "Cosmic Partners" recorded live in 1973 and it's double-plus good.
Time to blast through the various First/Second International Band stuff today.
His autobiography is charming. Bye Nez.
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posted by whatevernot at 11:14 AM on December 10, 2021 [7 favorites]
Highly recommended is "Cosmic Partners" recorded live in 1973 and it's double-plus good.
Time to blast through the various First/Second International Band stuff today.
His autobiography is charming. Bye Nez.
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posted by whatevernot at 11:14 AM on December 10, 2021 [7 favorites]
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posted by GenjiandProust at 11:14 AM on December 10, 2021
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:14 AM on December 10, 2021
My mom had a serious crush on this guy as a teenager. I'm going to phone and tell her that I'm sorry I didn't pay enough attention. It's never going to be my music. But, there's no denying that it is music that moved people.
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(Also, "his mother, Liquid Paper inventor Bette Nesmith Graham‽ I remain astonished by how often the people who make the news all seem to know each other.)
posted by eotvos at 11:21 AM on December 10, 2021 [11 favorites]
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(Also, "his mother, Liquid Paper inventor Bette Nesmith Graham‽ I remain astonished by how often the people who make the news all seem to know each other.)
posted by eotvos at 11:21 AM on December 10, 2021 [11 favorites]
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posted by 20 year lurk at 11:23 AM on December 10, 2021
posted by 20 year lurk at 11:23 AM on December 10, 2021
Those First National Band albums are incredible...
Beyond the blue horizon, bon voyage!
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posted by schyler523 at 11:24 AM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
Beyond the blue horizon, bon voyage!
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posted by schyler523 at 11:24 AM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
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posted by mygothlaundry at 11:39 AM on December 10, 2021
posted by mygothlaundry at 11:39 AM on December 10, 2021
They're both pretty old, but Wired has done a couple of stories on him that I enjoyed.
From 2000
From 2006
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posted by adamrice at 11:39 AM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
From 2000
From 2006
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posted by adamrice at 11:39 AM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
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posted by OHenryPacey at 11:41 AM on December 10, 2021
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:41 AM on December 10, 2021
As if his work with the Monkees weren't enough, he was instrumental in producing the movie Repo Man.
More importantly from a cultural perspective, he helped to codify the idea of a music video being a production in of itself, and reportedly (its all a bit murky) laid the foundations for MTV and the cultural revolution it entailed. YouTuber poparena, as part of their Nick Knacks retrospective series, discussed some of that history.
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posted by NoxAeternum at 11:52 AM on December 10, 2021 [10 favorites]
More importantly from a cultural perspective, he helped to codify the idea of a music video being a production in of itself, and reportedly (its all a bit murky) laid the foundations for MTV and the cultural revolution it entailed. YouTuber poparena, as part of their Nick Knacks retrospective series, discussed some of that history.
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posted by NoxAeternum at 11:52 AM on December 10, 2021 [10 favorites]
I had a serious crush on Mike when the show first ran in the 60s. I was eight. I showed his picture to my dad and solemnly announced that I was going to marry him. To his credit, my dad did not laugh.
I read his autobiography when it came out and something he said was very helpful to me in dealing with cancer. A doctor friend of his said she was going to tell a patient that she was "incurable." Nesmith told her not to say that, but to say instead that the doctor couldn't cure her. There's a difference, he said. I agree. So now I say I have a cancer that doctors don't know how to cure.
So many great songs. I don't even know where to start. Maybe Papa Gene's Blues.
posted by FencingGal at 12:00 PM on December 10, 2021 [28 favorites]
I read his autobiography when it came out and something he said was very helpful to me in dealing with cancer. A doctor friend of his said she was going to tell a patient that she was "incurable." Nesmith told her not to say that, but to say instead that the doctor couldn't cure her. There's a difference, he said. I agree. So now I say I have a cancer that doctors don't know how to cure.
So many great songs. I don't even know where to start. Maybe Papa Gene's Blues.
posted by FencingGal at 12:00 PM on December 10, 2021 [28 favorites]
Producer of Repo Man
Producer of Tapeheads
Producer and performer of Crusin', as well as the rest of Elephant Parts, in which Lucy, Ramona, and Sunset Sam appear
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 12:00 PM on December 10, 2021 [3 favorites]
Producer of Tapeheads
Producer and performer of Crusin', as well as the rest of Elephant Parts, in which Lucy, Ramona, and Sunset Sam appear
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 12:00 PM on December 10, 2021 [3 favorites]
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posted by The Great Big Mulp at 12:06 PM on December 10, 2021
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 12:06 PM on December 10, 2021
And still not in the Rock HOF, because of snobs and purist in a music genre meant to be against both.
posted by Beholder at 12:07 PM on December 10, 2021 [17 favorites]
posted by Beholder at 12:07 PM on December 10, 2021 [17 favorites]
I've been a huge Michael Nesmith fan ever since I was a kid. He was such a creative visionary. Luckily, I had the chance to interview him for Wisconsin Public Radio's "To The Best of Our Knowledge," when he published his memoir, "Infinite Tuesday." In case you're interested, here's the interview:
posted by DougieGee at 12:09 PM on December 10, 2021 [10 favorites]
posted by DougieGee at 12:09 PM on December 10, 2021 [10 favorites]
I actually liked The Monkees more than I liked The Beatles.
There. I said it.
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 12:09 PM on December 10, 2021 [22 favorites]
There. I said it.
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 12:09 PM on December 10, 2021 [22 favorites]
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Some of Shelly's Blues
Propinquity
Joanne
Different Drum
the man could write a song, and tear it up live when required.
Monkees - Circle Sky
posted by philip-random at 12:09 PM on December 10, 2021 [9 favorites]
Some of Shelly's Blues
Propinquity
Joanne
Different Drum
the man could write a song, and tear it up live when required.
Monkees - Circle Sky
posted by philip-random at 12:09 PM on December 10, 2021 [9 favorites]
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See you inReno Rio, friend.
posted by conscious matter at 12:19 PM on December 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
See you in
posted by conscious matter at 12:19 PM on December 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
I grew up with Monkees reruns every afternoon but I'll always remember Nes this way: Eldorado to the Moon.
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posted by JoeZydeco at 12:25 PM on December 10, 2021
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posted by JoeZydeco at 12:25 PM on December 10, 2021
FencingGal - same! Five year old me had a huge crush on him, even though the show was into reruns by the time I was watching in the 80's.
The Monkees were the first concert I attended, back when they toured with Weird Al in '87. I think I was 9. It started my love of live music.
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posted by haplesschild at 12:27 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
The Monkees were the first concert I attended, back when they toured with Weird Al in '87. I think I was 9. It started my love of live music.
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posted by haplesschild at 12:27 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
Also my favorite Monkee because I really liked the look of his big Gibson electric guitar. Still do.
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posted by jabo at 12:29 PM on December 10, 2021 [4 favorites]
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posted by jabo at 12:29 PM on December 10, 2021 [4 favorites]
DougieGee, your link didn't make it...can you repost it?
Also, time to listen to Circle Sky again. Unnnf that riff.
posted by theatro at 12:32 PM on December 10, 2021 [2 favorites]
Also, time to listen to Circle Sky again. Unnnf that riff.
posted by theatro at 12:32 PM on December 10, 2021 [2 favorites]
Very sad about this. I've been a fan since I was a kid and admire his creativity so much. I had the chance to interview him for Wisconsin Public Radio's "To The Best of Our Knowledge" when his fantastic memoir, "Infinite Tuesday," was
released a few years ago.
If you're interested, here's a link to the interview.
posted by DougieGee at 12:40 PM on December 10, 2021 [9 favorites]
released a few years ago.
If you're interested, here's a link to the interview.
posted by DougieGee at 12:40 PM on December 10, 2021 [9 favorites]
Damn. The Monkees were my favorite band when I was younger (still a favorite) and Mike's always been my favorite Monkee.
And now, I will never find the answer to a question that's nagged me for decades.
Nez was good friends with Douglas Adams, and the two of them worked on a movie adaptation of Hitchhiker's Guide.
I always wanted to ask him whether they discussed the Monkees "Porpoise Song", which includes lyrics "the dolphins are waving goodbye, goodbye..."
The song came out in 1968. Had Adams heard it before he wrote HHGG (a possible unconscious influence)? Or did they both come up with that concept independently? Nesmith was into metaphysics, so would've found meaning either way... (I also wondered whether they planned on using that song in the film)
Anyway, that's been on my mind ever since I heard of the relationship between Adams & Nez. I kept looking for AMAs or other Q&A opportunities, since Nez was the only one who could answer those questions, and now he's gone.
posted by cheshyre at 12:46 PM on December 10, 2021 [7 favorites]
And now, I will never find the answer to a question that's nagged me for decades.
Nez was good friends with Douglas Adams, and the two of them worked on a movie adaptation of Hitchhiker's Guide.
I always wanted to ask him whether they discussed the Monkees "Porpoise Song", which includes lyrics "the dolphins are waving goodbye, goodbye..."
The song came out in 1968. Had Adams heard it before he wrote HHGG (a possible unconscious influence)? Or did they both come up with that concept independently? Nesmith was into metaphysics, so would've found meaning either way... (I also wondered whether they planned on using that song in the film)
Anyway, that's been on my mind ever since I heard of the relationship between Adams & Nez. I kept looking for AMAs or other Q&A opportunities, since Nez was the only one who could answer those questions, and now he's gone.
posted by cheshyre at 12:46 PM on December 10, 2021 [7 favorites]
I missed a chance to see all four Monkees together in Boston just before Davey died, and when I did get to see The Monkees a few years later, it was just Mickey and Peter. But I did get to see Nez live with his touring band not long after he had his heart surgery a couple of years ago. You would not have known he was only a few weeks into recuperation from his performance. Mickey was always my favorite Monkee, but Nez was absolutely the best songwriter/musician of the group.
posted by briank at 12:57 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by briank at 12:57 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
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Damn. The Monkees was why I became a musician back in grade school, and Nez was at least as inspirational for my off-beat sense of humor as Monty Python. As I said on the "Zilch!" Monkees Facebook page: "You're one with the universe now, Michael. So send your consciousness out there and compose wonderful music for the heavens. Thank you so much for touching my life, and the lives of millions of people, in a powerfully positive way. You will be missed, but never forgotten." I hate 2021 so very, very much.
posted by frodisaur at 1:16 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
Damn. The Monkees was why I became a musician back in grade school, and Nez was at least as inspirational for my off-beat sense of humor as Monty Python. As I said on the "Zilch!" Monkees Facebook page: "You're one with the universe now, Michael. So send your consciousness out there and compose wonderful music for the heavens. Thank you so much for touching my life, and the lives of millions of people, in a powerfully positive way. You will be missed, but never forgotten." I hate 2021 so very, very much.
posted by frodisaur at 1:16 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
Oh, damn. (What a terrible week for music...)
FencingGal, my sister and I were in the same boat--we begged and begged for the records when they came out, and drew all over their pictures on the back of the albums (typical first- and second-grade girl stuff like hearts and stars and "love") and played them relentlessly, which infuriated my parents. We adored the show. I still have the records and just pulled them out. I also loved Mike because he was tall, like me. When I got older and I realized how multitalented he was, I didn't feel so guilty about all the hearts I drew around his face.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 1:17 PM on December 10, 2021 [2 favorites]
FencingGal, my sister and I were in the same boat--we begged and begged for the records when they came out, and drew all over their pictures on the back of the albums (typical first- and second-grade girl stuff like hearts and stars and "love") and played them relentlessly, which infuriated my parents. We adored the show. I still have the records and just pulled them out. I also loved Mike because he was tall, like me. When I got older and I realized how multitalented he was, I didn't feel so guilty about all the hearts I drew around his face.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 1:17 PM on December 10, 2021 [2 favorites]
"laid the foundations for MTV" He basically helped create MTV and was offered an executive production role, but he wasn't interested in running it.
MTV was often accused of only showing white bands, but the music/bands Michael Nesmith produced for them were Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” and Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.”
posted by eye of newt at 1:26 PM on December 10, 2021 [7 favorites]
MTV was often accused of only showing white bands, but the music/bands Michael Nesmith produced for them were Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” and Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.”
posted by eye of newt at 1:26 PM on December 10, 2021 [7 favorites]
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posted by Faint of Butt at 1:34 PM on December 10, 2021
posted by Faint of Butt at 1:34 PM on December 10, 2021
Damn. The Monkees was why I became a musician back in grade school
The Monkeees were why everyone in my neighborhood wanted to be the Monkees.
posted by SPrintF at 1:34 PM on December 10, 2021 [4 favorites]
The Monkeees were why everyone in my neighborhood wanted to be the Monkees.
posted by SPrintF at 1:34 PM on December 10, 2021 [4 favorites]
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posted by dannyboybell at 1:39 PM on December 10, 2021
posted by dannyboybell at 1:39 PM on December 10, 2021
My favorite Monkee because I could tell he really knew how to play guitar.
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posted by tommasz at 1:57 PM on December 10, 2021
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posted by tommasz at 1:57 PM on December 10, 2021
"...and I don't know if I'm ever comin' home"
posted by kirkaracha at 1:58 PM on December 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 1:58 PM on December 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
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posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 2:00 PM on December 10, 2021
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 2:00 PM on December 10, 2021
My son's guitar teacher made me reconsider Nesmith, who I had thought to be a lightweight.
Tonight I am listening to the Monkees' 2018 Christmas album, and it's really good.
RIP to a genuine musician and artist.
posted by wenestvedt at 2:11 PM on December 10, 2021 [3 favorites]
Tonight I am listening to the Monkees' 2018 Christmas album, and it's really good.
RIP to a genuine musician and artist.
posted by wenestvedt at 2:11 PM on December 10, 2021 [3 favorites]
I've been a Monkees fanatic as long as I can remember, and Mike was always my fave by miles. Terrific musician, innovative comedian, all around amazing guy.
In the 90s the Monkees did a reunion special that wasn't very good in any conventional sense, but was intriguingly strange. (I guess you could say the same about Head, really.) It was set in a TV world where the old Monkees show never ended, and the guys were all still living together and trying to make it as a band. What's more, all of your favorite old shows never ended, and all the 60s sitcom characters were still living their sitcom lives and having wacky adventures, even if we weren't watching them anymore. It was kind of a beautiful idea. I like to imagine that even if three of the Monkees have left our world, in TV land they're all still living in that SoCal apartment and cruising to gigs in the Monkeemobile.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 2:18 PM on December 10, 2021 [8 favorites]
In the 90s the Monkees did a reunion special that wasn't very good in any conventional sense, but was intriguingly strange. (I guess you could say the same about Head, really.) It was set in a TV world where the old Monkees show never ended, and the guys were all still living together and trying to make it as a band. What's more, all of your favorite old shows never ended, and all the 60s sitcom characters were still living their sitcom lives and having wacky adventures, even if we weren't watching them anymore. It was kind of a beautiful idea. I like to imagine that even if three of the Monkees have left our world, in TV land they're all still living in that SoCal apartment and cruising to gigs in the Monkeemobile.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 2:18 PM on December 10, 2021 [8 favorites]
I remember before Peter died, he said, "Someday it'll just be Micky out there, singing "Hey, hey, I'm a Monkee.'"
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posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:36 PM on December 10, 2021 [10 favorites]
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posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:36 PM on December 10, 2021 [10 favorites]
In the 90s the Monkees did a reunion special that wasn't very good in any conventional sense, but was intriguingly strange.
Available in its entirety on YouTube.
posted by hanov3r at 2:44 PM on December 10, 2021 [6 favorites]
Available in its entirety on YouTube.
posted by hanov3r at 2:44 PM on December 10, 2021 [6 favorites]
Aw man, this sucks.
The Monkees were the first concert I attended, back when they toured with Weird Al in '87. I think I was 9. It started my love of live music
Me too! Though technically my first concert was The Monkees in their 86 tour, for which I think the opening act was Herman’s Hermits and Gary Puckett and Union Gap. Weird Al was better.
It’s kind of a weird fun circle that MTV, which as noted owes a whole lot to Nesmith, was then influential in creating a whole new generation of Monkees fans (like GenXer me) via their reruns.
I was always a little torn between Peter and Mike as my favs and now they’re both gone.
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posted by DiscourseMarker at 3:00 PM on December 10, 2021 [2 favorites]
The Monkees were the first concert I attended, back when they toured with Weird Al in '87. I think I was 9. It started my love of live music
Me too! Though technically my first concert was The Monkees in their 86 tour, for which I think the opening act was Herman’s Hermits and Gary Puckett and Union Gap. Weird Al was better.
It’s kind of a weird fun circle that MTV, which as noted owes a whole lot to Nesmith, was then influential in creating a whole new generation of Monkees fans (like GenXer me) via their reruns.
I was always a little torn between Peter and Mike as my favs and now they’re both gone.
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posted by DiscourseMarker at 3:00 PM on December 10, 2021 [2 favorites]
I always got angry at the "ersats Beatles" slam. The experience of watching their tv show when it debuted was wonderful. Stupid tv finally had something as genuinely "Youth Culture", hip, funny, and light-heartedly transgressive as music and the movies had. Why not Beatles AND The Monkees? As for the Rock Hall of Fame ... The Supremes didn't play their own instruments!
(Dramatic mic drop).
posted by Chitownfats at 3:03 PM on December 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
(Dramatic mic drop).
posted by Chitownfats at 3:03 PM on December 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
Aw, hell. Of the four of them, I think you'd have to agree, he had the coolest hat.
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posted by Sing Or Swim at 3:18 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
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posted by Sing Or Swim at 3:18 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
His autobiography is charming. Bye Nez.
Highly recommend Infinite Tuesday.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:22 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
Highly recommend Infinite Tuesday.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:22 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
Suck. In 5th grade this girl I had a crush on and I would talk a lot on the phone and a lot of that was over our shared love of the monkees (1987 resurgence). I'm still friends with her and it's nice, even though we werent' really close after middle school, we're on FB and her bday is today so it's like - wow...
But yeah. I thought the Monkees would live longer than the Beatles. Micky might but it's 2 vs 1 now (crude, I guess, but it's sorta how I think of these things?)
Thoughts with Micky and Mikes family. I loved Mike's version of country so many great songs, and Sweet Young Thing is obviously about drugs, right? RIGHT?
posted by symbioid at 3:33 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
But yeah. I thought the Monkees would live longer than the Beatles. Micky might but it's 2 vs 1 now (crude, I guess, but it's sorta how I think of these things?)
Thoughts with Micky and Mikes family. I loved Mike's version of country so many great songs, and Sweet Young Thing is obviously about drugs, right? RIGHT?
posted by symbioid at 3:33 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
And yes, to all the video projects he's done; I remember my high school social studies teach raving about tapeheads... and having both my 5th grade fandom AND my high school fandom (Jello from Dead Kennedys) combine, wow. it was awesome to see that. Such an understated and wonderful underground character who forged his own way. OK shutting up now.
posted by symbioid at 3:35 PM on December 10, 2021
posted by symbioid at 3:35 PM on December 10, 2021
Saw Andrew Sandoval's post this morning, gasped, and burst into tears. I have known for a long time what I planned to do first on this day, so I went to post "Thanx for the Ride" on fb and my friends' condolences started rolling in.
Trying to sum up why he's so important in the Monkees, I thought of this quote:
If you don't know his criminally under-appreciated post-Monkees country rock stuff, there's a great playlist here.
If you haven't met the terrifically eccentric big band album The Wichita Train Whistle Sings, please do.
If you've not been very tuned into the Monkees fandom of late, but enjoyed them at some point in the past, you've got to pick up these releases:
Cosmic Partners: Michael Nesmith with Red Rhodes – The McCabe’s Tapes
[Sample: "Grand Ennui"]
Dolenz Sings Nesmith, which was produced by Christian Nesmith
[Sample: A ragafied "Circle Sky" that dropped my jaw when I first heard it in a virtual listening party with Micky last summer.]
The Monkees Live: The Mike & Micky Show, which captures the best live arrangements they've ever had.
[Sample: Blowing "The Door Into Summer" off its hinges.]
And yet another vote to read Infinite Tuesday if you haven't. It's so, so great. He writes well because he thinks well.
posted by jocelmeow at 3:38 PM on December 10, 2021 [15 favorites]
Trying to sum up why he's so important in the Monkees, I thought of this quote:
Nesmith recalled, "Bob Rafelson said, 'Well, we coulda hired any four guys.' I said, 'Yeah, but you didn't. You hired us four.' And he said, 'Well, but any four guys could do what you're doin'. I said, 'No, they couldn't have. Because what we are, we bought the force of our character to it.'"I became a Monkees fan at age eleven, but the reason I remain absorbed by them is precisely because Nez's actions, initially behind the scenes, started pushing the boundaries between the false and the real, and the outgrowth of those actions (most notably Headquarters and HEAD), and the Monkees' individual views (and disagreements!) about the group's falsity and verity over decades, make them a uniquely interesting cultural phenomenon to me. Without the Nez-instigated palace revolt and everything that came after, they wouldn't have become what they are.
If you don't know his criminally under-appreciated post-Monkees country rock stuff, there's a great playlist here.
If you haven't met the terrifically eccentric big band album The Wichita Train Whistle Sings, please do.
If you've not been very tuned into the Monkees fandom of late, but enjoyed them at some point in the past, you've got to pick up these releases:
Cosmic Partners: Michael Nesmith with Red Rhodes – The McCabe’s Tapes
[Sample: "Grand Ennui"]
Dolenz Sings Nesmith, which was produced by Christian Nesmith
[Sample: A ragafied "Circle Sky" that dropped my jaw when I first heard it in a virtual listening party with Micky last summer.]
The Monkees Live: The Mike & Micky Show, which captures the best live arrangements they've ever had.
[Sample: Blowing "The Door Into Summer" off its hinges.]
And yet another vote to read Infinite Tuesday if you haven't. It's so, so great. He writes well because he thinks well.
posted by jocelmeow at 3:38 PM on December 10, 2021 [15 favorites]
I remember before Peter died, he said, "Someday it'll just be Micky out there, singing "Hey, hey, I'm a Monkee.'"
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posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:36 PM
I know I said I was done, but Obligatory "The Edge (old Ben Stiller show)" clip "Right This Minute". (OK, it's Davy, but... still).
posted by symbioid at 3:39 PM on December 10, 2021 [3 favorites]
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posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:36 PM
I know I said I was done, but Obligatory "The Edge (old Ben Stiller show)" clip "Right This Minute". (OK, it's Davy, but... still).
posted by symbioid at 3:39 PM on December 10, 2021 [3 favorites]
symbioid, The Underpants Monster, this is the moment in "The Monstrous Monkee Mash" that the fandom has been morbidly aware of since Davy and then Peter died.
To chase that with a laugh, this outtake from the same episode for sure shows the love between Michael and Micky.
posted by jocelmeow at 3:46 PM on December 10, 2021 [6 favorites]
To chase that with a laugh, this outtake from the same episode for sure shows the love between Michael and Micky.
posted by jocelmeow at 3:46 PM on December 10, 2021 [6 favorites]
I read today's Rolling Stone interview with Mickey, and apparently, Mike had gone into hospice 2 days ago. To think that only a few weeks ago, he played the Greek Theater in LA. I knew he'd had that quadruple bypass in 2018, and had wondered if he'd tour again.
Mike was my favorite. When I first got into The Monkees at 14 during their MTV revival, I'd play "Sweet Young Thing" from the Monkees cassette (that I had to hide) on repeat late at night on my verboten knock-off Walkman. I mean, whew! His voice just sent me. I was so disappointed when he didn't go on tour with the others in '86. I knew he'd inherited his mother's Liquid Paper fortune, and figured, well, he didn't need the tour money. I had no idea about how big his Pacific Arts company was, and that he couldn't just take off for a couple of months to tour state fairs.
Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie wrote a beautiful song that Mike and Mickey sang co-lead on for the last album in 2016, and it's a fabulous addition to the canon: Me & Magdalena.
♥
posted by droplet at 4:05 PM on December 10, 2021 [8 favorites]
Mike was my favorite. When I first got into The Monkees at 14 during their MTV revival, I'd play "Sweet Young Thing" from the Monkees cassette (that I had to hide) on repeat late at night on my verboten knock-off Walkman. I mean, whew! His voice just sent me. I was so disappointed when he didn't go on tour with the others in '86. I knew he'd inherited his mother's Liquid Paper fortune, and figured, well, he didn't need the tour money. I had no idea about how big his Pacific Arts company was, and that he couldn't just take off for a couple of months to tour state fairs.
Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie wrote a beautiful song that Mike and Mickey sang co-lead on for the last album in 2016, and it's a fabulous addition to the canon: Me & Magdalena.
♥
posted by droplet at 4:05 PM on December 10, 2021 [8 favorites]
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One Ton Tomato, go eat a One Ton Tomato
posted by MtDewd at 4:30 PM on December 10, 2021 [4 favorites]
One Ton Tomato, go eat a One Ton Tomato
posted by MtDewd at 4:30 PM on December 10, 2021 [4 favorites]
Peter Tork once pointed out that the Monkees was the first TV show where the young people were main characters and there was no adult character guiding them. It was really quite innovative. John Lennon liked the show. He compared them to the Marx Brothers. Peter also said that the successful musicians they knew understood they were hired as actors on a show and didn’t give them shit about it.
When I went to see Peter and Mickey a few years ago, Peter pointed out that people listening to their fifty-year-old music now was equivalent to people in 1968 listening to music from 1918. Which pretty much nobody did.
posted by FencingGal at 4:36 PM on December 10, 2021 [7 favorites]
When I went to see Peter and Mickey a few years ago, Peter pointed out that people listening to their fifty-year-old music now was equivalent to people in 1968 listening to music from 1918. Which pretty much nobody did.
posted by FencingGal at 4:36 PM on December 10, 2021 [7 favorites]
Different Drum is a great gift to Pop Music (though it has to be sung by a woman.)
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posted by Bee'sWing at 5:10 PM on December 10, 2021
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posted by Bee'sWing at 5:10 PM on December 10, 2021
Different Drum is a great gift to Pop Music
Wow, never realized he wrote that. It feels like Linda Ronstadt's song.
posted by Liquidwolf at 5:35 PM on December 10, 2021
More importantly from a cultural perspective, he helped to codify the idea of a music video being a production in of itself, and reportedly (its all a bit murky) laid the foundations for MTV and the cultural revolution it entailed...
I think Nesmith also said that getting involved in stock film licensing & archiving helped him to not go completely broke in the post-Monkee-era.
Hey crazy cats and stoner kids, whacky post-modern feature film project Head is a trip.
posted by ovvl at 5:45 PM on December 10, 2021 [3 favorites]
I think Nesmith also said that getting involved in stock film licensing & archiving helped him to not go completely broke in the post-Monkee-era.
Hey crazy cats and stoner kids, whacky post-modern feature film project Head is a trip.
posted by ovvl at 5:45 PM on December 10, 2021 [3 favorites]
Different Drum is a great gift to Pop Music (though it has to be sung by a woman.)
I’m kind of partial to this performance.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:50 PM on December 10, 2021 [6 favorites]
I’m kind of partial to this performance.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:50 PM on December 10, 2021 [6 favorites]
Mr. Dobalina, Mr. Bob Dobalina
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 6:01 PM on December 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 6:01 PM on December 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
It isn’t my opinion that the people are intending.
posted by FencingGal at 6:05 PM on December 10, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by FencingGal at 6:05 PM on December 10, 2021 [2 favorites]
The show and the music were so important to me when I was a grade school kid, but it took 50 years for me to learn about Nez's country rock adventures.
Listening to the Aquarium Drunkard mix now and Riu Chiu (linked above) was lovely to see and hear too. It's nice to spend an evening with someone who was so important to me as a child.
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posted by Sheydem-tants at 6:26 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
Listening to the Aquarium Drunkard mix now and Riu Chiu (linked above) was lovely to see and hear too. It's nice to spend an evening with someone who was so important to me as a child.
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posted by Sheydem-tants at 6:26 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
Really grateful that I saw the last show at the Greek. He broke down in tears a couple of times during it; the love that was pouring out of the audience towards the stage was unbelievable, and he felt it.
RIP Nez.
posted by OolooKitty at 7:04 PM on December 10, 2021 [8 favorites]
RIP Nez.
posted by OolooKitty at 7:04 PM on December 10, 2021 [8 favorites]
In late '66 early '67 we were not only grooving on Spock's ears. Some of us suddenly needed dark green knit caps. And if they didn't have the requisite pom-pom, one of us learned how to make pom-poms.
posted by Rash at 7:19 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Rash at 7:19 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
"We'd all gone out to dinner one time, John [Lennon] was late," Nesmith says. "He came in at a point and he said, 'Sorry I'm late, but I was in a club and I heard this guy and I recorded it. You just have to listen to this.' And he pulled out a little tape recorder, put it on the table and played 'Foxy Lady,' that Jimi was playing live at that club.
And the table went silent, we were speechless. So when I got back to the hotel I said, 'Strangest thing happened, John came with this tape of Jimi Hendrix,' and Micky [Dolenz] said, 'Oh, I saw him at a club and I asked him if he'll come and open for us!' Thus begins one of the great pop ironies of our time."
posted by clavdivs at 7:24 PM on December 10, 2021 [14 favorites]
And the table went silent, we were speechless. So when I got back to the hotel I said, 'Strangest thing happened, John came with this tape of Jimi Hendrix,' and Micky [Dolenz] said, 'Oh, I saw him at a club and I asked him if he'll come and open for us!' Thus begins one of the great pop ironies of our time."
posted by clavdivs at 7:24 PM on December 10, 2021 [14 favorites]
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I felt it a bit when Davy and Peter died but this one stings. Ol’ Wool Hat was my favorite Monkee; his songs are incredibly durable and just plain good, and his work well beyond the Monkees is ridiculously influential. I crushed hard on the group in the 80s revival and Good Times!, a surprisingly great pop album, pulled me back in in the 10s. They were always a big influence on me and my own musical tastes.
I’d recently dug into Nez’s work with the First American Band and it’s just quality stuff, up and down. I draw a direct line to alt-country from it all, and that makes it all the more richer.
Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones Ltd. Is my fave Monkees LP and it’s due in no small part to “The Door Into Summer” and “What Am I Doin’ Hangin’ Round”. I mean, in total, what an amazing musical legacy that stretched across genres and time. Just awesome.
RIP, Nez.
posted by hijinx at 8:21 PM on December 10, 2021 [4 favorites]
I felt it a bit when Davy and Peter died but this one stings. Ol’ Wool Hat was my favorite Monkee; his songs are incredibly durable and just plain good, and his work well beyond the Monkees is ridiculously influential. I crushed hard on the group in the 80s revival and Good Times!, a surprisingly great pop album, pulled me back in in the 10s. They were always a big influence on me and my own musical tastes.
I’d recently dug into Nez’s work with the First American Band and it’s just quality stuff, up and down. I draw a direct line to alt-country from it all, and that makes it all the more richer.
Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones Ltd. Is my fave Monkees LP and it’s due in no small part to “The Door Into Summer” and “What Am I Doin’ Hangin’ Round”. I mean, in total, what an amazing musical legacy that stretched across genres and time. Just awesome.
RIP, Nez.
posted by hijinx at 8:21 PM on December 10, 2021 [4 favorites]
It looks like his episode of Austin City Limits from 1993 has been taken down from YouTube. Shame; I thought it really showed him at the top of his game, with his voice in its prime.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:48 PM on December 10, 2021
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:48 PM on December 10, 2021
“What Am I Doin’ Hangin’ Round” was written by Michael Martin Murphey, but Nez’s vocal was a classic.
Back when I thought there might be a chance I might get married someday, I thought “Papa Gene’s Blues” would make a great wedding song.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:54 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
Back when I thought there might be a chance I might get married someday, I thought “Papa Gene’s Blues” would make a great wedding song.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:54 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
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posted by Philofacts at 8:56 PM on December 10, 2021
posted by Philofacts at 8:56 PM on December 10, 2021
A Hard Day's Night : The Monkees (TV series) :: Saving Private Ryan : Band of Brothers
posted by kirkaracha at 10:04 PM on December 10, 2021
posted by kirkaracha at 10:04 PM on December 10, 2021
Cruise well Michael. We'll see you and Sunset Sam on the other side.
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posted by ensign_ricky at 10:31 PM on December 10, 2021
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posted by ensign_ricky at 10:31 PM on December 10, 2021
🎶
posted by Silverstone at 11:38 PM on December 10, 2021
posted by Silverstone at 11:38 PM on December 10, 2021
The first record I ever bought with my own money was a 7" single of The Monkees' Last Train to Clarksville. Over 50 years have passed since then, but I'm still very happy with my choice.
posted by Paul Slade at 1:31 AM on December 11, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Paul Slade at 1:31 AM on December 11, 2021 [3 favorites]
That clip from The Monstrous Monkee Mash is such a perfect little example of life's cruel little coincidences. Like, of course there's an old clip of Mickey Dolenz desperately singing, "Hey, hey, I'm a Monkee..." Fucking of course.
In that Rolling Stone interview Dolenz expresses plenty of that weird ambivalence they all had about the band and each other. They were like brothers but they couldn't stand each other, they were just hired actors on a silly TV show but they were real artists who were passionate about their music, etc. They'd all contradict themselves constantly, often in a single interview, and I'm sure all of those things felt true when they said them. They were brought together as the ultimate manufactured boy band and became a real group that was loved by everybody from John Lennon to Johnny Rotten, critics take them seriously now... at the same time they were left playing state fairs and hearing themselves used as a punchline on The Simpsons. The Beatles had a wild ride but I think the Monkees may have had an even weirder time of it. The Beatles walked away from it all as living legends, the most acclaimed band of all time. But the Monkees... what the hell were they? Even they didn't really seem to know.
Not long ago I saw a clip from some entertainment show where they talked to Dolenz and Nesmith right after Peter Tork died. Nesmith said something like, "You know, I never had a good word to say about Peter and he never had a good word to say about me. But now he's gone..." And here Nesmith teared up. He shrugged, gave an absolutely heartbreaking smile, and asked, "What can you do? What can you do?"
That ambivalence was there to the very end. But under it all, there was something true and sweet.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 2:00 AM on December 11, 2021 [12 favorites]
In that Rolling Stone interview Dolenz expresses plenty of that weird ambivalence they all had about the band and each other. They were like brothers but they couldn't stand each other, they were just hired actors on a silly TV show but they were real artists who were passionate about their music, etc. They'd all contradict themselves constantly, often in a single interview, and I'm sure all of those things felt true when they said them. They were brought together as the ultimate manufactured boy band and became a real group that was loved by everybody from John Lennon to Johnny Rotten, critics take them seriously now... at the same time they were left playing state fairs and hearing themselves used as a punchline on The Simpsons. The Beatles had a wild ride but I think the Monkees may have had an even weirder time of it. The Beatles walked away from it all as living legends, the most acclaimed band of all time. But the Monkees... what the hell were they? Even they didn't really seem to know.
Not long ago I saw a clip from some entertainment show where they talked to Dolenz and Nesmith right after Peter Tork died. Nesmith said something like, "You know, I never had a good word to say about Peter and he never had a good word to say about me. But now he's gone..." And here Nesmith teared up. He shrugged, gave an absolutely heartbreaking smile, and asked, "What can you do? What can you do?"
That ambivalence was there to the very end. But under it all, there was something true and sweet.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 2:00 AM on December 11, 2021 [12 favorites]
critics take them seriously now.
This comment ignited my periodic rage (not at you) that they aren't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I did find this article where Peter called it an "abuse of power" by Jann Wenner and Mickey said RARHOF is a country club. In addition to his own music and songwriting, Mike Nesmith practically invented MTV. It seems insane that they're not acknowledged there.
Someone above noted that the Supremes didn't play their own instruments either. Elvis played guitar - sometimes. I read an interview with Nesmith once where he said that before the Beatles, it was very common to use studio musicians. And they did most of the music on Headquarters (You Told Me is another favorite Nesmith song).
More positively, I've been having a super tough week and it's just been so nice to see all you MeFites who share my love for the Monkees.
posted by FencingGal at 3:59 AM on December 11, 2021 [7 favorites]
This comment ignited my periodic rage (not at you) that they aren't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I did find this article where Peter called it an "abuse of power" by Jann Wenner and Mickey said RARHOF is a country club. In addition to his own music and songwriting, Mike Nesmith practically invented MTV. It seems insane that they're not acknowledged there.
Someone above noted that the Supremes didn't play their own instruments either. Elvis played guitar - sometimes. I read an interview with Nesmith once where he said that before the Beatles, it was very common to use studio musicians. And they did most of the music on Headquarters (You Told Me is another favorite Nesmith song).
More positively, I've been having a super tough week and it's just been so nice to see all you MeFites who share my love for the Monkees.
posted by FencingGal at 3:59 AM on December 11, 2021 [7 favorites]
I can never hear “Rio” without turning into a grinning idiot, nor “Joanne” without turning into a watering pot. His poetry alone would be noteworthy even if it was never set to music.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:58 AM on December 11, 2021
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:58 AM on December 11, 2021
my periodic rage (not at you) that they aren't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Oh, relax. They're in my Rock Hall of Fame, and yours, as well. No need to pay any attention to that contrived attraction that Cleveland created, in a desperate attempt to draw tourists.
posted by Rash at 9:37 AM on December 11, 2021 [2 favorites]
Oh, relax. They're in my Rock Hall of Fame, and yours, as well. No need to pay any attention to that contrived attraction that Cleveland created, in a desperate attempt to draw tourists.
posted by Rash at 9:37 AM on December 11, 2021 [2 favorites]
I too was a GenX 5 year old with a crush on Mike, because of his sweet smile and goofy hat. The Monkees was a spectacular show and it was always a treat to find an episode in syndication.
I don't live in music like so many others do, but I always listened to the Monkees. Once the internet spun up it was such a gold mine of cool projects that Mike did. I will miss these brand new-to-me-songs and nuggets of knowledge. The videos from the last tour (so recent!) are beautiful and heartbreaking to watch. I can only take a little at a time.
I'm not sure I've cried this much about an artist since George Michael. All the people I used to love are dying, y'know? Yeah, you know.
posted by kimberussell at 9:42 AM on December 11, 2021 [2 favorites]
I don't live in music like so many others do, but I always listened to the Monkees. Once the internet spun up it was such a gold mine of cool projects that Mike did. I will miss these brand new-to-me-songs and nuggets of knowledge. The videos from the last tour (so recent!) are beautiful and heartbreaking to watch. I can only take a little at a time.
I'm not sure I've cried this much about an artist since George Michael. All the people I used to love are dying, y'know? Yeah, you know.
posted by kimberussell at 9:42 AM on December 11, 2021 [2 favorites]
I notice that the Rolling Stone obit shows Nez wearing the iconic green cap. Back when the Monkees first emerged, folks in my orbit were starting to buy color TV's, black and white being the standard until then. Nesmith's hat was a color test for my friends' and my new color TV's; did it look blue? purple? murky undescribable color or that dark green? I've always wondered what color it really was. If RS' pic is color correct, it really was dark forest green. PS: I had several Monkees 45's and they formed the soundtrack to my tween and early teen years. I never liked them enough however to spring for the full $3.99 for a full Monkees album.
RIP, good sir and thanks for all the good tunes.
posted by Lynsey at 9:49 AM on December 11, 2021 [3 favorites]
RIP, good sir and thanks for all the good tunes.
posted by Lynsey at 9:49 AM on December 11, 2021 [3 favorites]
I always wanted to ask him whether they discussed the Monkees "Porpoise Song", which includes lyrics "the dolphins are waving goodbye, goodbye..."
Well OK, if you're not going to say it, I guess I will:
So long and thanks for all the fish.
posted by thecincinnatikid at 10:07 AM on December 11, 2021 [2 favorites]
Well OK, if you're not going to say it, I guess I will:
So long and thanks for all the fish.
posted by thecincinnatikid at 10:07 AM on December 11, 2021 [2 favorites]
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posted by Token Meme at 10:11 AM on December 11, 2021
posted by Token Meme at 10:11 AM on December 11, 2021
The final four songs at their Farewell show at The Greek last November. Second to last song (around 6:45) is Nesmith's "Listen to the Band," which is still a banger. Also note, the last beat in the final Monkees song doesn't hit until Nes calls for it.
You made my life a lot happier, Mike. Thank you.
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:52 AM on December 11, 2021 [2 favorites]
You made my life a lot happier, Mike. Thank you.
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:52 AM on December 11, 2021 [2 favorites]
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posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 3:08 PM on December 11, 2021
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 3:08 PM on December 11, 2021
.
the video for Rio has a special place in my heart
posted by inpHilltr8r at 6:25 PM on December 11, 2021
the video for Rio has a special place in my heart
posted by inpHilltr8r at 6:25 PM on December 11, 2021
I remain astonished by how often the people who make the news all seem to know each other
Why it is almost as if the circumstances of one's birth remains a significant part of privilege
posted by Ardnamurchan at 6:43 PM on December 11, 2021 [1 favorite]
Why it is almost as if the circumstances of one's birth remains a significant part of privilege
posted by Ardnamurchan at 6:43 PM on December 11, 2021 [1 favorite]
One more story - 1966 was an astounding year for record albums, and, in Chicago at least, the coolest album for me was the Paul Butterfield Blues Band's "East-West". I remember reading the back of the album and noticing that the song "Mary, Mary" was written by one Michael Nesmith. "Huh, How odd. Two Michael Nesmiths in music", I thought. Nope, just the one.
posted by Chitownfats at 7:03 PM on December 11, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by Chitownfats at 7:03 PM on December 11, 2021 [4 favorites]
Loved them as dopey kids during the reruns on late 70's-early 80's UHF TV, and then again on reruns on MTV (how ironic), but their songs bored the heck out of me. And then I saw Head while I was on acid around the time they were doing reunion tours and such, and that changed everything.
Also Mike's probably the reason I wear tuques.
posted by not_on_display at 9:28 PM on December 11, 2021
Also Mike's probably the reason I wear tuques.
posted by not_on_display at 9:28 PM on December 11, 2021
My parents with my favorite aunt and uncle, all enormous stoners, watched his Elephant Parts rock comedy VHS tape every weekend for years.
Me too, Elephant Parts was on constant play in our Betamax. If you can track it down go give it a watch, most excellent.
posted by Meatbomb at 10:11 PM on December 11, 2021
Me too, Elephant Parts was on constant play in our Betamax. If you can track it down go give it a watch, most excellent.
posted by Meatbomb at 10:11 PM on December 11, 2021
I wanted to make sure I saw him once, so I'm really glad he came around a few years ago at a perfectly-sized venue with great sound. Sure he did some shows with Micky the next year or so, so it wasn't truly a last tour, but I got to see a nearly-pure Mike/FNB show and that was what I wanted and it was what I got and it was GREAT.
He recorded a fine version of Tumbling Tumbleweeds, but I don't think I'll ever get sick of The Crippled Lion.
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posted by rhizome at 2:04 AM on December 12, 2021 [3 favorites]
He recorded a fine version of Tumbling Tumbleweeds, but I don't think I'll ever get sick of The Crippled Lion.
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posted by rhizome at 2:04 AM on December 12, 2021 [3 favorites]
Only just found out about this. Loved The Monkees - both the music and the TV show. When I'm down it's the first thing I watch. I had a huge late-to-the-party crush on him in the mid '10s (my top Monkees crush was the adorable Peter Tork). Definitely spent a ludicrous amount of time following dedicated Tumblr pages (there are many). I also think I created my own Monkees Tumblr page but I don't want to visit that vault of personal mistakes to confirm.
I meant to hang out at his videoranch sims-like 3D thing but never got round to it. I always thought it was a bit weird how he had a whole "ranch" of state of the art technology but his website looked like it was made in 1997.
His solo music is also fantastic. Tonite is one of my favourite songs and music videos.
Three Stones, Two Beatles and one Monkee. That would have made a decent Monkees TV episode title.
posted by ihaveyourfoot at 8:16 AM on December 12, 2021 [3 favorites]
I meant to hang out at his videoranch sims-like 3D thing but never got round to it. I always thought it was a bit weird how he had a whole "ranch" of state of the art technology but his website looked like it was made in 1997.
His solo music is also fantastic. Tonite is one of my favourite songs and music videos.
Three Stones, Two Beatles and one Monkee. That would have made a decent Monkees TV episode title.
posted by ihaveyourfoot at 8:16 AM on December 12, 2021 [3 favorites]
Big thanks to the writer of Daily NIghtly. Gonna bang through it a couple times on the synth before bed, I think.
Peace, bud.
posted by StarkRoads at 1:22 AM on December 13, 2021
Peace, bud.
posted by StarkRoads at 1:22 AM on December 13, 2021
Just found out that The Monkees are artist of the week on the Wake And Bake show over on WFMU. Tune in at around 8:05 Eastern US time all week to make sure you're there on time!
posted by Sheydem-tants at 5:17 AM on December 13, 2021
posted by Sheydem-tants at 5:17 AM on December 13, 2021
Even the nicest neighbourhood can be spoiled by... neighbours.
Seems like most but not all of it is here. Sadly does not seem to include LDCC, Large Detroit Car Company, which was my favourite.
"Bad gas mileage. Faulty engineering. Plastic emblems that fall off. Here at the Large Detroit Car Company, these are part of the standards we set for ourslelves."
posted by Meatbomb at 6:36 AM on December 13, 2021 [4 favorites]
Seems like most but not all of it is here. Sadly does not seem to include LDCC, Large Detroit Car Company, which was my favourite.
"Bad gas mileage. Faulty engineering. Plastic emblems that fall off. Here at the Large Detroit Car Company, these are part of the standards we set for ourslelves."
posted by Meatbomb at 6:36 AM on December 13, 2021 [4 favorites]
Count me as another Gen Xer who had Elephant Parts on heavy rotation as a kid and only later discovered the Monkees (and another who say the Monkees/Weird Al tour in '87). Nez was a musical visionary and a legitimately funny guy who was never sufficiently appreciated. Glad to see so many people agree.
Fooey Fooey and Fizzy.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 8:43 AM on December 13, 2021 [3 favorites]
Fooey Fooey and Fizzy.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 8:43 AM on December 13, 2021 [3 favorites]
I think I probably mentioned this a few years back in the thread about Peter’s passing, but my first brush with stardom was being passed by the Monkees’ tour buses on the New York State Thruway.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:25 PM on December 14, 2021
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:25 PM on December 14, 2021
Andrew Sandoval, the Monkees' archivist, producer, and architect of their tours for the past decade, devoted last night's episode of his show _Come to the Sunshine_ to Nez. Not a career retrospective, as he says introducing the show, but some of Andrew's favorite selections and rarities, put together to lovingly show why Andrew admired him and his work so very much.
posted by jocelmeow at 9:29 AM on December 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by jocelmeow at 9:29 AM on December 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
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posted by freakazoid at 11:00 AM on December 10, 2021 [3 favorites]