The Monkees have always been one of my favorite bands. My sister was born 13 years before me so she was sixteen when their TV show debuted. I would listen to the records with her, and then when the show was in reruns on Saturday mornings, I would watch it faithfully. I loved the humor and camaraderie – and I loved the music. In fact, one of the first records I ever remember buying was a mail order “Monkees Hits” double album. I’m sure I still have it – so I’ll post a picture of that here at some point.
Micky was always a kind of a role model for performance. I loved his sense of comic timing blended with a deep sincerity around everything he did – including being goofy. Mike was my musical hero – I loved the songs he wrote, I loved his lyrical craft. As I got older I realized the songs I loved the most from the band were either songs that Mike wrote, or songs that featured both Mike & Micky’s voices.
In 2013, Mike and Micky toured with Peter. This was not long after Davy had passed. I honestly never thought I would be able to see Nez perform – so I got my single seat in the ninth row and just soaked in my influences. This was coming off a very bad time in my life – so the show was redemptive, maybe I could go home again.
Fast forward to 2018 and Mike and Micky are touring on their own. Dreams come true – I never imagined the opportunity. I bought my ticket, and shelled out for the VIP package. This was a once in a lifetime experience and I wasn’t going to miss it. I stood in the lobby of the Keswick Theater just outside Philadelphia, and patiently waited. And waited. And waited. Until the tour manager came out and announced that Mike wasn’t feeling well and the show would be postponed. I was crushed, and I was scared. I was disappointed, but beyond that I wanted Nez to be okay. I tried to shout that over the din of grumbles from the rest of the crowd – if my well-wishing words didn’t make it, hopefully my intention would.
A few months and Mike had had quadruple bypass surgery and is taking the First National Band on the road. Eventually, the make-up dates for the Mike & Micky show are announced, but all of the dates were slated for when I was going to be on vacation in Hawaii. I accepted the universe’s will and tried to let it go – but in one fit of angst I said out loud – to any soul or spirit that might hear me – “If they extend this tour, I don’t care where it is, I’m going”.
Two days later they announced dates in Australia and New Zealand, with the final tour stop at the iconic Sydney Opera House. I looked at vacation time, I looked at available frequent flyer miles – and I ignored every “practical” impulse I had and booked the trip.
The second verse of “Door Into Summer” (by Chip Douglas & Bill Martin) became an anthem for the trip:
With his travelogues of maybe next year places
“Door Into Summer” by Chip Douglas & Bill Martin
As a trade in for a name upon the door
And he pays for it with years he cannot buy back with his tears
And he finds out there’s been no one keeping score
I wasn’t going to let a once in a lifetime opportunity just slip away. So I made my way to Sydney.
Having secured the VIP meet & greet, I had the opportunity to briefly meet Micky & Mike, and felt a moment of connection with Nez. I wished I could have had it with Micky too – but time was short and I was facing Mike as I stood between them for the picture.
During the soundcheck though – Micky sang “As We Go Along” by Carole King & Toni Stern. I still haven’t seen “Head” and was only partially familiar with the songs, having stopped my record collecting at “Pieces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Jones, LTD.” But the first verse carried me through the rest of the Sydney trip:
I can tell by your face
“As We Go Along” by Carole King & Toni Stern
That you’re looking to find a place
To settle your mind and reveal who you are
And you shouldn’t be shy
For I’m not gonna try
To hurt you or heal you or steal your star
During that trip, I found a part of myself that had been missing – a direct result of having met both Micky and Mike. I know I was just one of tens of thousands faces on this tour for them, and that’s as it should be – but 50+ years later they are still bright lights in my universe.
