Friday, December 10, 2021 at 2:05:00 P.M. EST
https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/michael-nesmith-of-the-monkees-dies-at-78/ar-AARH2mq?ocid=entnewsntp
[N.S.: Who was "Michael Nesmith"? He wasn't known as "Michael," he was known as Mike. When Frank Sinatra died, did the msm say, "Francis Sinatra dies at 82"? Is this because of Mike Brown? He'd been known his entire life as "Mike Brown," but as soon as he died while trying to murder Officer Darren Wilson, his name was posthumously changed to "Michael."]
I’ll never forget watching the Monkees TV series with my brother as a kid. It was silly but had manic energy that appealed to us. I didn’t appreciate how good the music was until I got older but when I did, I became a real fan.
They got slammed by critics for not coming together “naturally” as a group and not playing or writing much on their first couple albums, but they became a real band and ended up writing and recording original music, as well as music from outside songwriters. It was a ridiculous critique to say they couldn’t be a real band because they were formed by a production company (Don Kirshner). What mattered was that they had actual talent, and were able to produce quality music on their own.
My favorite member was actually a toss-up between Peter Tork and Mickey Dolenz, but Mike’s goofy persona and stocking cap were a big part of the Monkees’ image. He was also a legitimate songwriter who crafted some great country/rock albums after he left the Monkees. It’s also true that his mother invented White Out and he inherited a fortune from her! Some guys have all the luck!
Early in his career Mike wrote “Different Drum,” which became a hit song for Linda Ronstadt.
Mickey Dolenz remains the sole surviving member.
My favorite song written by Mike is probably “Joanne.” You don’t compose a song that amazingly good, unless you have some real talent:
Mike Nesmith: “Different Drum”
Stone Poneys, with Linda Ronstadt as Lead Singer: “Different Drum”
The Stone Poneys
Different Drum · Stone Poneys · Linda Ronstadt Evergreen, Vol.2 ℗ 1967 Capitol Records, LLC
Released on: 1967-06-05
Producer: Nick Venet
Studio Personnel, Engineer: John Kraus
Studio Personnel, Engineer: Pete Abbott
Associated Performer, Concertmaster: Sid Sharp
Associated Performer, Vocals: Linda Ronstadt
Associated Performer, Acoustic Guitar: Kenny Edwards
Associated Performer, Acoustic Guitar: Bernie Leadon
Associated Performer, Acoustic Guitar: Al Viola [N.S.: Al Viola?!]
Associated Performer, Harpsichord: Don Randi
Associated Performer, Bass (vocal): Lyle Ritz
Associated Performer, Drums: Jimmy Gordon
Composer Lyricist: Michael Nesmith
2 comments:
I've listened to the Monkees,not necessarily in their heyday,though one of the first 45's I ever purchased was "Valerie/Tapioca Tundra in 1968 for about 79 cents.The first records I remember buying of any kind were "Bottle of Wine","Love is Blue","Simon Says","The Horse" and my first album was "Johnny Cash at San Quentin".
In the mid 70s to mid 80s,I picked up every Monkees album at a used LP shop(along with hundreds of other LPs)and Nesmith's songs were great--usually not hits--but very well made,catchy,country-pop offerings,like "You Just May Be the One".He typically had one self-written song on each album side.
The Monkees reformed many times for concert tours and an occasional album and after the deaths of Davy Jones and Peter Tork,the last two surviving Monkees,Nesmith and brilliant vocalist Micky Dolenz kept working together as recently as two weeks ago.I had been watching some YouTube videos of those concerts taped in November and Mike was not in the best of shape--he reminded me of a less healthy Bernie Sanders--and his passing is not a surprise.
What IS a surprise--Keith Richards outlives another fellow musician,though certainly,Richards never wrote a song as good as "Joanne".We lost a fine White talent in Michael Nesmith last week.
--GRA
And what about how gorgeoous Linda Rondstadt was in 1967.Mmmm mmm.
--GRA
Post a Comment