MICKY DOLENZ, LEAD SINGER AND DRUMMER OF THE MONKEES ANNOUNCES UPCOMING SOLO ALBUM, REMEMBER, POISED FOR WORLDWIDE RELEASE

Micky Dolenz, singer and drummer of The Monkees is gearing up to release his new album, Remember, which features many songs that mark great milestones in his life, as well as some new songs. This album is scheduled to release worldwide on September 25, 2012 (Waterfront Ent. Group / RoboRecords and Universal Music Distribution).
Produced and largely arranged by David Harris, Remember promises classic tunes that will evoke some cherished memories from listeners of all ages. Dolenz opens up a time capsule of pop hits from decades ago, updating them with a tone that is reminiscent of his younger days as a Monkee and appreciative of the music that continues to inspire him.
The lyrics of the warm ballad, “Remember,” encapsulate this nostalgia — “Remember is a place from long ago / Filled with everything you know / Life is just a memory / Close your eyes and you can see / Think of all that life can be.”
"Remember had just been finished when we heard the tragic news of Davy Jones' passing" added Rob Christie, President of Robo Records / Waterfront Ent. "which made the theme all the more poignant for Micky."
The track list of Remember portrays an “audio scrapbook of the important songs in my life that had meant something to me for one reason or another,” according to Dolenz. He incorporates new versions of classic songs, re-imagined. The original writers of these songs range from some of his pals to The Beatles, Carole King, Harry Nilsson, and Neil Diamond.
One of Dolenz’ most exciting memories lies behind his cover of The Beatles’ “Good Morning Good Morning.” He reminisces, “One day, Paul [McCartney] invited me down to Abbey Road studios for a new album they were doing [Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band]. I must have expected some kind crazy, love-festival, Beatlemania event so I got dressed accordingly. I must have looked like a cross between Ronald McDonald and Charles Manson!” He was surprised when he got to the studio, since it had plain white walls and the only people there were the Fab Four in jeans and t-shirts, just playing their music. John Lennon called out, “Hey Monkee Man!” and offered to play Dolenz a song they had been working on … “Good Morning Good Morning.” This song was “burned into my neural pathways forever,” he says. And now he performs his own version of it as the lead track on Remember.
Remember also features a cover of the Chuck Berry classic, “Johnny B. Goode,” in homage to the start of his Monkees career. “The song was my audition piece for The Monkees, and that’s the song that got me the gig which changed my life forever.” After The Monkees began skyrocketing, Dolenz developed his musical personality even further.
“Several of these tracks are songs that I had been offered [in the past] by incredible song writers and I had turned them down for some stupid reason or another. They went on to become big hits for other artists,” according to Dolenz. For example, “‘Sugar Sugar’ was supposed to be the next Monkees song.” It was the song that caused a historic revolt between The Monkees and their producers. Of course, it went on to become a huge number one hit for the Archies … a cartoon band! Dolenz explains, “I never wanted to do the song, but producer David Harris did an incredible arrangement for this new album and talked me into it. It’s now become one of my favorites on the album!”
Dolenz felt he couldn’t have released this album without including his most famous vocal track of The Monkees, “I’m a Believer,” written by Neil Diamond. “The song became such an important track in my career.” In the re-imagined version on Remember, Dolenz wanted to do something completely different with it. “I’ve always wanted to do a country version of this song, and this was my opportunity. And yes, kids … I recorded this long before Shrek,” Dolenz jokes.
For Micky Dolenz, the friendship that evolved along with the music-making magic was another inspiration for the theme of this album. “We hit upon the title ‘Remember’ because of my dear friend Harry Nilsson, who I was very close to. I was actually there when he wrote the song [“Remember”] … and it stayed with me for the rest of my life.”

Micky Dolenz’ Remember is an enjoyable and fun audio scrapbook of Dolenz' most cherished memories. It is sure to be a special treat for all audiences ~ Get ready to take a trip down memory lane!

1. Good Morning Good Morning
2. An Old Fashioned Love Song
3. Diary
4. Many Years
5. Sometime in the Morning
6. Quiet Desperation
7. Randy Scouse Git
8. Johnny B. Goode
9. Sugar Sugar
10. Do Not Ask For Love
11. I’m a Believer
12. Remember

Monkees Reunion Tour on Tap, Plus New Album from Dolenz

By Winchester, September 15th, 2012

Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, Davy Jones and Mike Nesmith, aka The Monkees, made their television debut 46 years ago this month (Sept. 12). The made-for-TV band’s show lasted two years, but their music still lives on today.

Dolenz characterized the band’s improbable success in a recent interview: “The Monkees really becoming a band was like the equivalent of Leonard Nimoy really becoming a Vulcan,” he said.

Yet, the quartet sold more than 65 million albums. At one point, they were even more popular than The Beatles. The Monkees went their separate ways after formally breaking up in 1971. They have held several reunion tours but their latest plans were temporarily sidelined when lead singer Jones died suddenly in February.

While Nesmith and Tork are in semi-retirement, Dolenz, at 67, is as active as ever. He’s had a successful solo career, still tours with his own band and has acted on Broadway in such shows as Aida, Grease, Pippin and a revival of Hairspray on London’s West End.

Last year he released a solo album, King For A Day, containing songs all written by Carole King, who got her start writing songs for The Monkees. He’ll release a new album, Sept. 25, titled Remember

Dolenz calls it a musical scrapbook of songs that have made a mark on him. Last year, before Jones passed, he undertook a Monkees reunion, with Tork. In November, he will tour again with Monkees mates, including Nesmith.

We spoke to Micky in Monterey where he is rehearsing with his partners for the 14-date tour in November:

Improper: You hit the road this summer on what was called the “Happy Together tour. How did it go over those 42 dates?

Dolenz: It was just great fun, great audiences. Working with Flo & Eddie, Gary Puckett, The Grass Roots and The Buckinghams. It was just tremendous synergy all around. At the end, we all came out on stage and did each other’s hits … it was so much fun. They’re all great performers.

IM: Tell us about Remember, out on Sept. 25.

Dolenz: The album is an audio-scrapbook of my memories of these songs. I’ve performed and arranged them more to my style. You know how many times Frank Sinatra recorded ‘Fly Me to the Moon’? In every possible configuration and band, so who says I can’t do “Sometime in the Morning” another way?

Same thing with “I’m a Believer,” which is re-done on the album. Over the years, I’d come up with this sitting-around-the-dressing-room country version. My mom is from Austin (TX) by the way. And my parents were singers and actors, so I grew up on the “Sons of the Pioneers” and “Tennessee Ernie Ford.” You can hear a huge country influence on me on the song I wrote, “Desperation.” Most of the songs I’ve written over the years are country because of my mom. Don’t forget, I did the TV-show “Gone Country” several years back!

IM: The title track is a Harry Nilsson song, right? Tell us about him a bit.

Micky Dolenz’s new album is set for release Sept. 25.

Dolenz: He was a great friend, and I miss him every day; great writer. He wrote “Cuddly Toy” for The Monkees.

IM: Your participation in the 25th anniversary production of the John Waters film “Hairspray” here in the United States, sounds terrific. Tell us about it. The Indianapolis dates are Jan. 11-13, and the Baltimore dates are Jan. 24-27.

Dolenz: I did the “Wilbur Turnblad” role in the West End and the European tour last year; right before the [music] tour with Davy and Peter. John Waters will be the narrator and that’ll be a terrific addition. I’m very honored to have been invited.

IM: And, of course, here in New York City, you’re at B.B. King’s on Oct. 19. The show is being recorded and filmed for release. I bet you’re excited by that.

Dolenz: B.B. King’s is a legendary venue and it will be terrific to play there and have it recorded as a DVD. I’ve performed there before at various benefits and events, but this will be quite a special evening. I am very much looking forward to it.

IM: And, in November you’re reuniting with Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork for 11 dates. How’s that developing?

Dolenz: It’s something that just organically came up. We’re in rehearsals now; it’ll be a very special event.

IM: Are those dates going to be filmed for a DVD? I know last year’s shows with Davy were not.

Dolenz: Sadly, those shows were not; I’m hopeful that these dates will be. They should!

IM: Any thoughts on the soundtrack album to the movie “Head?” (originally released in 1968).

Dolenz: It was misunderstood by a lot of people; most of our fans couldn’t get in because there was an age restriction and the intelligentsia wouldn’t go to see it anyway because they hated the Monkees. actually, I think it stands up pretty well these days.”

IM: What an amazing agenda for the rest of this year. What do you think when you see an old episode of the show?

Dolenz: I can’t believe how young and goofy I look.

JoeBala said:

Dolenz characterized the band’s improbable success in a recent interview: “The Monkees really becoming a band was like the equivalent of Leonard Nimoy really becoming a Vulcan,”

He's been saying this same thing for decades.

Yeah like the hendrix stuff.

Interview about upcoming Monkees tour.

So did you get it?

JoeBala said:

So did you get it?

Not yet. I'm going to see if there's going to be a vinyl version first. Sometimes one is released later, if it doesn't simultaneously. If not, then I'll buy the CD.

Attention NYC fans! Micky Dolenz will be appearing at J&R Music on Wednesday, October 17 from 12:30pm to 2pm for a signing! Come out to 23 Park Row in New York to meet Micky!

safetypin said:

[Snip - luv4u]

Micky is currently married to his 3rd wife and has 4 daughters. One of them Ami was an actress.

MickyDolenz said:

safetypin said:

MickyDolenz said:

Micky is currently married to his 3rd wife and has 4 daughters. One of them Ami was an actress.

[Snip - luv4u]

I don't know anything about them as I don't follow gossip. If it doesn't matter, why bring it up? It has nothing to do with Micky's album or the Monkees. Some folks just have to be messy and negative for no reason.

Monkee Micky Dolenz to Sign New Album at NYC Store on Wednesday, Taping Friday’s Concert for Live Release

16 October 2012

The Monkees‘ Micky Dolenz recently put out a new solo album called Remember, and the pop-rock legend has lined up a couple of special events in New York City this week to promote the release.

On Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. ET, Dolenz will visit the J&R Music World store in downtown Manhattan where he’ll meet with fans and sign copies of the CD. Then, on Friday night, the singer/drummer will play a concert at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill that will be recorded for an upcoming live album. The show is Dolenz’s last scheduled 2012 gig before he hits the road next month for a reunion trek with his fellow surviving Monkees, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork.

Released last month, Remember is a collection of mostly cover tunes that Dolenz describes as an “audio scrapbook of the important songs in my life that had meant something to me for one reason or another.”

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

[Edited 10/21/12 11:52am]

The Mac Wire Review: Mic...r 20. 2012

On Friday night The Mac Wire was invited to see Micky Dolenz perform at B.B. King's Blue Club in New York City. We had a blast! The house as we expected sold out and Micky was in top form. A reader sent in this review. Let us know if you were there too:

Free Daily Download on eMusic of Mickys' new version of "Randy Scouse Git" from his new cd "Remember":

http://www.emusic.com/dai...ocialPosts

Here's Peter Tork and his band Shoe Suede Blues from last month.

The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz ‘Remembers’ His Past For New Album [VIDEO]

http://wcbsfm.cbslocal.co...bum-video/