So i blogged about it before but this really was going to be a once in a lifetime experience. My favorite member of the band Michael Nesmith was returning for a 12 city tour. He really hadn't joined in on any of the past reunion tours. He had played with them maybe a dozen times since 1969 the year i was born. The last time he shared a stage with the others was in England in 1996. Unfortunately another member of the band David Jones had passed away earlier this year. It was sad to think that he wouldn't be there but was really excited to see Mike. I'm a huge fan and even own his solo albums. I've always wanted to see him play if not with the monkees then maybe a solo show. I never thought i would get the chance.
Anyhow the big night came. We took a detour before the show to visit our friend Hollie who also lives in Buffalo. Also at Hollies was a couple friends of Kath who she hadn't seen in awhile--Amanda and Missy. I had met them once before and they are pretty cool. As a matter of fact they were going to the show as well and were actually in the front row. After the visit we were off to the show. The auditorium was pretty cool and there really wasn't a bad seat in the house. We were in the balcony and had a great view. I would love to go back there for another show. Great acoustics as well. Before the show on a big screen behind the band stand they were playing old music clips from the Monkees tv show. It was awesome.
The lights went down and the back up band came out--including Nesmiths son who played guitar. They kicked into an instrumental melody of some of the Monkees hits while clips and pictures filled the screen in the background. Lights went down and as the announcer announced Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith three spotlights came down and there they were! The place went nuts when they announced Nesmiths name. He got the loudest applause of everyone. They quickly kicked in with their first single Last train to clarkesville. A smile came to my face and didn't leave for the next 2 hours. Next up Mike sang lead vocals on Papa Gene's Blues. I have to admit i wasn't sure beforehand what to expect. Mike hadn't played live in years. How was he going to sound? Well he sounded awesome. Throughout the night i think he sang 10 songs--many of which they hadn't played in years or never at all.
Seven songs in the lights went out again. On the screen they played one of David Jones songs 'I wanna be free.' Kind of a sad moment. The crew was setting something up when this was going on. Then the lights came on and there was a new drum set in the middle of the floor and the backup band was gone. Only people on stage were Mickey and Peter and Mike. They then did an impressive set from their album Headquarters. Headquarters was the first album they were actually allowed to play on. The studio only let them sing and not play on their first 2 albums. Anyhow anyone who ever thought they didn't play their own instruments should have seen this set. So cool.
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