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{{Short description|American actor, musician and member of the Monkees}} {{Short description|American musician and actor (born 1945)}}
{{pp-pc|small=yes}} {{pp-pc|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
| image = Micky Dolenz at Epcot 2013 (cropped).jpg | image = Dolenz_2022.jpg
| caption = Dolenz in 2013 | caption = Dolenz in 2022 on ] cruise
| birth_name = George Michael Dolenz Jr. |alt = Dolenz smiling
| birth_name = George Michael Dolenz Jr.
| other_names = Mickey Braddock | other_names = Mickey Braddock
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1945|03|08}} | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1945|3|8}}<ref>{{cite web |title=About |url=https://mickydolenz.com/about |website=mickydolenz.com |access-date=31 January 2023}}</ref>
| birth_place = ], U.S. | birth_place = ], California, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|musician|TV producer|businessman}} | occupation = {{hlist|Musician|actor|singer|TV producer|businessman}}
| years_active = 1956–present | years_active = 1956–present
| spouse = {{ubl|{{Marriage|]|1968|1975|end=div}}|{{Marriage|]|1977|1991}}|{{Marriage|Donna Quinter|2002}}}} | spouse = {{ubl|{{Marriage|]|1968|1975|end=div}}|{{Marriage|Trina Dow|1977|1991|end=div}}|{{Marriage|Donna Quinter|2002}}}}
| children = 4, including ] | children = 4, including ]
| website = {{url|mickydolenz.com}} | parents = {{ubl|]|]}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes | website = {{URL|mickydolenz.com}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| instrument = {{hlist|]|]<!--- If you think an instrument should be listed, a discussion to reach consensus is needed first per: https://en.wikipedia.org/Template:Infobox_musical_artist#instrument--->}} | instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|drums|guitar|keyboards<!--- If you think an instrument should be listed, a discussion to reach consensus is needed first per: https://en.wikipedia.org/Template:Infobox_musical_artist#instrument--->}}
| genre = {{hlist|]|]|]|]}} | genre = {{hlist|]|]|]|]}}
| associated_acts = ] | past_member_of = ], ]
}} }}
}} }}
'''George Michael Dolenz Jr.''' (born March 8, 1945) is an American musician and actor. He was the drummer and one of two primary vocalists for the ] band ] (1966–1970, and reunions until 2021), and a co-star of the TV series '']'' (1966–1968). Dolenz is the last surviving member of the band.

'''George Michael Dolenz Jr.''' (born March 8, 1945) is an American actor, musician, TV producer and businessman. He is best known as the vocalist and drummer for the 1960s ]-] band ] (1966–1968) and a co-star of the TV series '']'' (1966–1968). Since the death of ] on December 10th 2021, Dolenz is the last living member of the band.


==Life and entertainment career== ==Life and entertainment career==
Dolenz was born in Los Angeles, the son of actors ] and ]. He has three sisters, Gemma Marie ("Coco"), Deborah, and Kathleen ("Gina").<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rocca |first1=Jane |title=Micky Dolenz on his career, marriages and raising daughters |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/micky-dolenz-on-his-career-marriages-and-raising-daughters-20181128-p50iur.html |access-date=17 June 2024 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=1 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Gemma's nickname, Coco, is a shortened form of "Coco Sunshine", a nickname given to her as a child by Micky. Coco was a frequent guest on the set of ''The Monkees'' TV show and sometimes a guest performer on records by the Monkees, singing background vocals or duetting with Micky. She often performs as a member of Micky's backing band during his concerts.
Dolenz was born at the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital (now ]), in ], ],<ref name="california birth records">Ancestry.com. California Birth Index, 1905–1995 . Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
Original data: State of California. California Birth Index, 1905–1995. Sacramento, CA, USA: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics.
</ref> the son of actors ] and ]. He has three sisters, Gemma Marie ("Coco"; born April 5, 1949), Deborah (born 1958), and Kathleen ("Gina"; born 1960). Gemma's nickname, Coco, is a shortened form of "Coco Sunshine", a nickname given to her as a child by Micky. Coco was a frequent guest on the set of ''The Monkees'' TV show and sometimes a guest performer on records by the Monkees, singing background vocals or duetting with Micky. She often performs as a member of Micky's backing band during his concerts.


Dolenz suffered from ] as a child, affecting his hip joint and right leg, leaving that leg weaker (and shorter) than the other. This resulted in Dolenz adapting an unorthodox drum setup – right-handed and left-footed – in his musical career.<ref name="Girouard">{{cite web |last1=Girouard |first1=Bob |title=Micky Dolenz {{!}} Modern Drummer Magazine |url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2011/12/micky-dolenz/ |website=Modern Drummer Magazine |date=December 15, 2011 |publisher=Modern Drummer Publications |access-date=10 September 2020}}</ref> Dolenz suffered from ] as a child, affecting his hip joint and right leg, leaving that leg weaker (and shorter) than the other. This resulted in Dolenz adapting an unorthodox drum setup – right-handed and left-footed – in his musical career.<ref name="Girouard">{{cite web |last1=Girouard |first1=Bob |title=Micky Dolenz {{!}} Modern Drummer Magazine |url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2011/12/micky-dolenz/ |website=Modern Drummer Magazine |date=December 15, 2011 |access-date=10 September 2020}}</ref>


=== ''Circus Boy'' === === ''Circus Boy'' ===
] ]
Dolenz began his show-business career in 1956 when he starred in a children's TV show called '']'' under the name '''Mickey Braddock'''.<ref>{{IMDb title|id=0048855|title=Circus Boy}}</ref> He played Corky, an orphaned water boy for the elephants in a one-ring ] at the start of the 20th century. The program ran for two seasons, after which Dolenz made sporadic appearances on network television shows and pursued his education. Dolenz went to ] in ], California and graduated in 1962. In 1964, he was cast as Ed in the episode "Born of Kings and Angels" of the ] education drama series '']'', starring ] as an idealistic Los Angeles teacher. Dolenz was attending college in Los Angeles when he was hired for the "drummer" role in NBC's '']''. Dolenz began his show-business career in 1956 when he starred in a children's TV show called '']'' under the name '''Mickey Braddock'''.<ref> Matt Messina, "Western on NBC Agenda," ''New York Daily News'', June 7, 1966, p. 69. </ref> He played Corky, an orphaned water boy for the elephants in a one-ring ] at the start of the 20th century. The program ran for two seasons, after which Dolenz made sporadic appearances on network television shows and pursued his education. Dolenz went to ] in ] and graduated in 1962. In 1964, he was cast as Ed in the episode "Born of Kings and Angels" of the ] education drama series '']'', starring ] as an idealistic Los Angeles teacher. Dolenz was attending college in Los Angeles when he was hired for the "drummer" role in NBC's '']''.
{{clear|left}}


==Early musical career== ==Early musical career==
Dolenz originally had his own rock group called "Micky and the One-Nighters" in the early- to mid-1960s with himself as lead singer.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/04/nyregion/an-exmonkee-and-major-geek-takes-the-mike.html|title=An Ex-Monkee and 'Major Geek' Takes the Mike|last=Finn|first=Robin|date=2005|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-04-26|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He had already begun writing his own songs. According to Dolenz, his band's live stage act included rock songs, cover songs, and even some R&B, one of his favorite songs to sing being ]'s "]". "Johnny B. Goode" was the song Dolenz sang at his Monkees audition, resulting in his being hired.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/TheMickyDolenz1/status/843481351311556609|title=Micky Dolenz on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-04-26|language=en}}</ref> He cut two 45s in 1965 that went unreleased until the Monkees' success in 1967. Those two 45s came out on the ] label and the songs were "Don't Do It" b/w "Plastic Symphony III" and "Huff Puff" b/w "Fate (Big Ben)". Neither B-side on the Challenge 45s is by Dolenz, but rather a band later credited as The Obvious. Dolenz originally had his own rock band called "Micky and the One-Nighters" in the early- to mid-1960s with himself as lead singer.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/04/nyregion/an-exmonkee-and-major-geek-takes-the-mike.html|title=An Ex-Monkee and 'Major Geek' Takes the Mike|last=Finn|first=Robin|date=2005|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-04-26|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He had already begun writing his own songs. According to Dolenz, his band's live stage act included rock songs, cover songs, and even some R&B. One of his favorite songs to sing was ]'s "]", which he sang at his Monkees audition, resulting in his being hired as one of the cast/band members.{{cn|date=August 2023}} He recorded two 45s in 1965 that went unreleased until the Monkees' success in 1967. Issued on the ] label, the recordings were "Don't Do It" b/w "Plastic Symphony III" and "Huff Puff" b/w "Fate (Big Ben)". Neither B-side on the Challenge 45s is by Dolenz, but rather a band later credited as The Obvious.


===The Monkees=== ===The Monkees===
] photoshoot]] ] photoshoot]]
In 1965, Dolenz was cast in the television sitcom '']'' and became the drummer and a lead vocalist in the band created for the show. He was not actually a drummer and needed lessons to be able to mime credibly, but eventually was taught how to play properly. By the time the Monkees went on tour in late 1966, Dolenz was competent enough to play the drums himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/leothelion/MickyDolenz.html |title=Micky Dolenz Related Items at angelfire.com |publisher=Angelfire.com |access-date=October 11, 2011}}</ref> In 1965, Dolenz was cast in the television sitcom '']'' and became the drummer and a lead vocalist in the band created for the show. Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, writers of many of the Monkees' songs, observed quickly that when brought into the studio together, the four actors would try to make each other laugh. Because of this, the writers often brought in each singer individually. The antics escalated until Dolenz poured a cup of ice on ]'s head. At the time, Dolenz did not know Kirshner on sight.
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] -->
Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, writers of many of the Monkees' songs, observed quickly that when brought into the studio together, the four actors would try to make each other laugh. Because of this, the writers often brought in each singer individually. The antics escalated until Dolenz poured a cup of ice on ]'s head. At the time, Dolenz did not know Kirshner on sight.


According to ], Dolenz's voice made the Monkees' sound distinctive,<ref> Hall, Russell at listentotheband.weebly.com on September 16, 2011.</ref> and during tension-filled times, Nesmith and ] voluntarily turned over lead vocal duties to Dolenz on their own compositions. During tension-filled times, ] and ] voluntarily turned over lead vocal duties to Dolenz on their own compositions.


Dolenz wrote a few of the band's self-penned songs, most prominent being "]" from the album '']''. He provided the lead vocals for such hits as "]", "]", and "]". Dolenz also directed and co-wrote the show's final episode.<ref>{{Citation|last=Dolenz|first=Micky|title=Mijacogeo|date=1968-03-25|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0650673/|others=Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith|access-date=2018-01-30}}</ref> Dolenz wrote a few of the band's self-penned songs, most prominently "]" from the album '']''. He provided the lead vocals for such hits as "]", "]", and "]".


Dolenz purchased the third modular ] sold commercially.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://creativeaudioworks.com/equipment/may-17-1965-moog-introduces-the-first-analog-synthesizer/ |title=May 17 1965, Moog introduces the first analog synthesizer. |publisher=Creative Audio Works, LLC |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> (The first two belonged to ] and ].) His performance on the Monkees' song "Daily Nightly" (written by Nesmith), from the album '']'', was one of the first uses of the synthesizer on a rock recording. He eventually sold his instrument to ]. Dolenz purchased the third modular ] sold commercially.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://creativeaudioworks.com/equipment/may-17-1965-moog-introduces-the-first-analog-synthesizer/ |title=May 17 1965, Moog introduces the first analog synthesizer. |date=May 17, 2012 |publisher=Creative Audio Works, LLC |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> (The first two belonged to ] and ].) His performance on the Monkees' song "Daily Nightly" (written by Nesmith), from the album '']'', was one of the first uses of the synthesizer on a rock recording. He eventually sold his instrument to ].


He is the last surviving member of the Monkees (after ]'s death in 2012, Tork's in 2019, and Nesmith's in 2021).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/12/11/who-is-still-alive-from-the-monkees/|title=Who is still alive from The Monkees as Michael Nesmith dies at 78?|date=December 11, 2021|website=HITC}}</ref> He is the only member of the Monkees who has been part of every lineup since the band's inception, and the only member with contemporary recordings of his vocals on all studio albums. He is the last surviving member of the Monkees (after ]'s death in 2012, Tork's in 2019, and Nesmith's in 2021).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/12/11/who-is-still-alive-from-the-monkees/|title=Who is still alive from The Monkees as Michael Nesmith dies at 78?|date=December 11, 2021|website=HITC|access-date=December 11, 2021|archive-date=December 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211082724/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/12/11/who-is-still-alive-from-the-monkees/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is the only member of the Monkees who was part of every lineup from the band's inception, and the only member with contemporary recordings of his vocals on all studio albums.


==Solo MGM recordings== ==Solo MGM recordings==


The Moog synthesizer that Dolenz had bought proved vital when he composed a song entitled "Easy on You" in 1971; he began recording it in his home studio, playing acoustic guitar and drums, and using the Moog like a keyboard. With that song completed, he next invited former Monkee Peter Tork over to help with more recordings. Then, a fortuitous street encounter led to former Monkee stand-in David Price joining, as well as contributing a rock song he had written called "Oh Someone". With Dolenz on drums and vocals, Tork on bass, and Price on rhythm guitar, the song was completed in only two hours; subsequently, guitarist B.J. Jones came in two days later and added lead guitar. With these two songs recorded, Dolenz contacted ], then the head of ] (and a former high school friend); after playing the songs for Curb, Dolenz was immediately signed to MGM. The Moog synthesizer that Dolenz had bought proved vital when he composed a song entitled "Easy on You" in 1971; he began recording it in his home studio, playing acoustic guitar and drums, and using the Moog like a keyboard. With that song completed, he next invited former Monkee Peter Tork over to help with more recordings. Then, a fortuitous street encounter led to former Monkee stand-in David Price joining, as well as contributing a rock song he had written called "Oh Someone". With Dolenz on drums and vocals, Tork on bass, and Price on rhythm guitar, the song was completed in only two hours; subsequently, guitarist B.J. Jones came in two days later and added lead guitar. With these two songs recorded, Dolenz contacted his former high school friend ], then the head of ]; after playing the songs for Curb, Dolenz was immediately signed to MGM.


Dolenz recorded and released songs for MGM for about three years (with a few of the songs being credited to Starship, an ersatz group, not the later ]). After the first year, Dolenz's friend ] contributed his song "Daybreak" and arranged and produced the recording, as well. It also included Keith Allison on guitar, former Monkees producer ] on bass, and steel-guitarist Orville "Red" Rhodes. Dolenz recorded and released songs for MGM for about three years (with a few of the songs being credited to Starship, an ersatz group, not the later ]). After the first year, Dolenz's friend ] contributed his song "Daybreak", also arranging and producing the recording, which included Keith Allison on guitar, former Monkees producer ] on bass, and steel-guitarist Orville "Red" Rhodes.


By early 1974, with no chart successes to date, Dolenz headed to England, and with ], he cut four songs for MGM: two rock classics, "]" and "]", as well as "I Hate Rock and Roll" and a new song, "Wing Walker". Meanwhile, the chief at MGM Records, Mike Curb, left the studio and joined ]. Dolenz's association with MGM then ended (and those final four songs remained unreleased). By early 1974, with no chart successes to date, Dolenz headed to England, and with ], he cut four songs for MGM: two rock classics, "]" and "]", as well as "I Hate Rock and Roll" and a new song, "Wing Walker". Meanwhile, Mike Curb left MGM and joined ]. Dolenz's association with MGM then ended (and those final four songs remained unreleased).


==Dolenz, Jones, Boyce, and Hart== ==Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart==
Due in part to reruns of ''The Monkees'' on Saturday mornings and in syndication, '']'' charted in 1976. The LP, issued by ] (a subsidiary of Columbia Pictures), was actually a repackaging of a 1972 compilation LP called '']'' that had been issued by Arista's previous label imprint, Bell Records, also owned by Columbia Pictures. In part because of reruns of ''The Monkees'' on Saturday mornings and in syndication, '']'' charted in 1976. The LP, issued by ] (a subsidiary of Columbia Pictures), was actually a repackaging of a 1972 compilation LP called '']'' that had been issued by Arista's previous label imprint, Bell Records, also owned by Columbia Pictures.


Dolenz and Jones took advantage of this, joining ex-Monkees songwriters ] to tour the United States. They could not use the Monkees name for legal reasons, but from 1975 to 1977, as the "Golden Hits of The Monkees" show ("The Guys Who Wrote 'Em and the Guys Who Sang 'Em!"), they successfully performed in smaller venues such as state fairs and amusement parks, as well as making stops in Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. They also released an album of new material, appropriately called '']'', and a live album, ''Concert in Japan'', was released by ] in 1976. Dolenz and Jones took advantage of this, joining ex-Monkees songwriters ] to tour the United States. They could not use the Monkees name for legal reasons, but from 1975 to 1977, as the "Golden Hits of The Monkees" show ("The Guys Who Wrote 'Em and the Guys Who Sang 'Em!"), they successfully performed in smaller venues such as state fairs and amusement parks, as well as making stops in Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. They also released an album of new material, appropriately called '']'', and a live album, ''Concert in Japan'', was released by ] in 1976.


Nesmith had not been interested in a reunion. Tork also did not participate, as they didn't know where he was at that time to invite him.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}} A Christmas single (credited to Dolenz, Jones and Tork) was produced by ] and released on his own label in 1976. The single featured Douglas's and ]'s "]" (originally recorded by a 1960s supergroup, The Christmas Spirit), with a B-side of Irving Berlin's "]" (Douglas released a remixed version of the single, with additional overdubbed instruments, in 1986). Tork also joined Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart on stage at ] on July 4, 1976, and also joined Dolenz and Jones on stage at the Starwood in Hollywood, California in 1977. A Christmas single (credited to Dolenz, Jones and Tork) was produced by ] and released on his own label in 1976. The single featured Douglas's and ]'s "]" (originally recorded by a 1960s supergroup, The Christmas Spirit), with a B-side of Irving Berlin's "]" (Douglas released a remixed version of the single, with additional overdubbed instruments, in 1986). Tork also joined Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart on stage at ] on July 4, 1976, and also joined Dolenz and Jones on stage at the Starwood in Hollywood, California in 1977.


==Notable stage work== ==Notable stage work==
]
In 1977, he performed with former bandmate Davy Jones in a stage production of the Harry Nilsson musical '']'' at London's Mermaid Theatre, playing and singing the part of the "Count's Kid" and the Leafman to Jones' starring role as Oblio (according to the CD booklet). An original cast recording was made and released. The comedic chemistry of Dolenz and Jones proved so strong that the show was revived in 1978 with Nilsson inserting additional comedy for the two, plus two more songs, with one of them ("]") being sung by Dolenz and Jones together. The show was considered so good that it was planned to be revived again in 1979, but it proved cost-prohibitive. After the show's run, Dolenz remained in England and began directing for stage and television, as well as producing several of the shows he directed. In 1977, he performed with former bandmate Davy Jones in a stage production of the Harry Nilsson musical '']'' at London's Mermaid Theatre, playing and singing the part of the "Count's Kid" and the Leafman to Jones' starring role as Oblio (according to the CD booklet). An original cast recording was made and released. The comedic chemistry of Dolenz and Jones proved so strong that the show was revived in 1978 with Nilsson inserting additional comedy for the two, plus two more songs, with one of them ("]") being sung by Dolenz and Jones together. The show was considered successful enough that another revival was planned for 1979, but it proved cost-prohibitive. After the show's run, Dolenz remained in England and began directing for stage and television, as well as producing several of the shows he directed.
In June 2006, Dolenz played Charlemagne at the ] for the revival of the musical '']'' in ]. He also toured in that role. Also in the mid-2000s, Dolenz played the role of Zoser in the Broadway production of ] and ]'s '']''. From August to September 2006, Dolenz played Charlemagne at the ] for the revival of the musical '']'' in ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Kenneth |title=New Pippin Finds Corner of the Sky in CT, With Mickey Dolenz |url=https://playbill.com/article/new-pippin-finds-corner-of-the-sky-in-ct-with-mickey-dolenz-com-133733 |publisher=Playbill |access-date=30 January 2023 |date=14 July 2006}}</ref> He also toured in that role. Also in the mid-2000s, Dolenz played the role of Zoser in the Broadway production of ] and ]'s '']''.


==After Monkees television and film career== ==After Monkees television and film career==
After ''The Monkees'' television show ended, Dolenz continued performing providing ]s for a number of ] series including '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']'' (from '']''). Dolenz provided the voice of Arthur in the first season of the animated series '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Tick/5708 |title=tvshowsondvd.com |publisher=tvshowsondvd.com |access-date=May 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525115004/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Tick/5708 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 1972, Dolenz played Vance in the murder mystery film ''Night of the Strangler''. He was featured in an episode of '']'', entitled "Dirt Duel" (season 5, episode 1), and an episode of '']'', entitled "Bitter Legion" (season 2, episode 3). Dolenz provided the voice of ]'s twin henchmen Min and Max in the two-part episode "]" on '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcdb.com/cartoon_characters/7297-Two-Face:_Part_2.html |title=bcdb.com |publisher=bcdb.com |access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref> In a September 2006 radio interview, Dolenz reported that he was the current voice of ] at that time.<ref name="timetravelispossible.com"/> In 2017, Dolenz returned to voice-over, providing the voice of Wendell the Love Grub, as well as singing the featured song, in the ] series '']'' half-hour episode, "The Saga of Robopiggeh!". Dolenz recorded the voice-acting remotely in New York weeks before his ] tour. After ''The Monkees'' television show ended, Dolenz continued performing providing ]s for a number of ] series including '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']'' (from '']''). Dolenz provided the voice of Arthur in the first season of the animated series '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Tick/5708 |title=TV Shows On DVD|access-date=May 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525115004/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Tick/5708 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 1972, Dolenz played Vance in the murder mystery film ''Night of the Strangler''. He was featured in an episode of '']'', entitled "Dirt Duel" (season 5, episode 1), and an episode of '']'', entitled "Bitter Legion" (season 2, episode 3). Dolenz provided the voice of ]'s twin henchmen Min and Max in the two-part episode "]" on '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bcdb.com/cartoon_characters/7297-Two-Face:_Part_2.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721123808/http://www.bcdb.com/cartoon_characters/7297-Two-Face:_Part_2.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |title=bcdb.com |publisher=bcdb.com |access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref> In a September 2006 radio interview, Dolenz reported that he was the current voice of ] at that time.<ref name="timetravelispossible.com"/> In 2017, Dolenz returned to voice-over, providing the voice of Wendell the Love Grub, as well as singing the featured song, in the ] series '']'' half-hour episode, "The Saga of Robopiggeh!". Dolenz recorded the voice-acting remotely in New York weeks before his ] tour.

Both Dolenz and Michael Nesmith auditioned for the role of ] on '']'', but neither was selected due to both being taller (6&nbsp;ft., 1 in.) than main character ] (Richie Cunningham), who is 5&nbsp;ft., 9 in. tall, and co-stars ] (Potsie) and ] (Ralph), both under 6&nbsp;ft. The producers preferred a shorter Fonzie in hopes that Fonzie would not ], a strategy that eventually proved to be unsuccessful, as the Fonz would be the show's ]. A search for a shorter actor eventually resulted in ]'s hiring.

In 1975, Dolenz acted in '']'', starring ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Linda Lovelace For President (1975) - Overview - TCM.com|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/495387/Linda-Lovelace-For-President/|access-date=2019-04-27|website=Turner Classic Movies|language=en}}</ref>


Both Dolenz and Michael Nesmith auditioned for the role of ] on '']'', but neither was selected, as they were both taller than lead actor ] and co-stars ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metv.com/stories/micky-and-michael-from-the-monkees-were-both-nearly-cast-as-the-fonz-on-happy-days|title=Micky and Michael from the Monkees were both nearly cast as the Fonz on Happy Days|author=MeTV Staff|website=MeTV|date=February 28, 2019|accessdate=August 17, 2023}}</ref>
Early in the development of '']'', Dolenz was a contender for the role of ], which ultimately went to ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004880/bio#trivia |title=Micky Dolenz Internet Movie Database |access-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112462/trivia |title=Batman Forever Internet Movie Database |access-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite video | title = Kevin Pollack's Chat Show episode 160 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eolOFtahSJg | time = 1h39m25s | date = October 28, 2012}}</ref>
]
In 1975, Dolenz acted in '']'', starring ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Linda Lovelace For President (1975) - Overview - TCM.com|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/495387/Linda-Lovelace-For-President/|access-date=2019-04-27|website=Turner Classic Movies|language=en}}</ref>


In 1994–95, Dolenz played in two episodes of the sitcom '']''; in the first one (entitled "Band on the Run"), he played Norm, a bandmate of Alan Matthews. In 1995, he joined Davy Jones and Peter Tork in episode eight of the third season (entitled "Rave On"), although they did not play the Monkees, per se – Dolenz's character is "Gordy", while Davy Jones is "Reginald Fairfield" and Tork is "Jedidiah Lawrence". However, at the climax of the program, the three are put on stage together and perform the classic ] song "]", and the Temptations' "]". As an inside joke, actor ], who had played the manager on ''The Partridge Family'', cameoed as a manager; he suddenly appears, wanting to handle the "new" group, and tells them that they "could be bigger than ]", which they all scoff at. In 1994–95, Dolenz played in two episodes of the sitcom '']''; in the first one (entitled "Band on the Run"), he played Norm, a bandmate of Alan Matthews. In 1995, he joined Davy Jones and Peter Tork in episode eight of the third season (entitled "Rave On"), although they did not play the Monkees, per se – Dolenz's character is "Gordy", while Davy Jones is "Reginald Fairfield" and Tork is "Jedidiah Lawrence". However, at the climax of the program, the three are put on stage together and perform the classic ] song "]", and the Temptations' "]". As an inside joke, actor ], who had played the manager on ''The Partridge Family'', cameoed as a manager; he suddenly appears, wanting to handle the "new" group, and tells them that they "could be bigger than ]", which they all scoff at.


In 2007, he appeared in ]'s ] of '']'' as Derek Allan, the owner of a gun shop. In 2007, he appeared in ]'s ] of '']'' as Derek Allan, the owner of a gun shop.


On January 29, 2011, Dolenz appeared in the ] movie '']'', alongside ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Cruz-Bardem-Marry-1020546.aspx|title=Syfy Adds a Monkee to Debbie Gibson-Tiffany Movie|publisher=TVGuide.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20887 |title=TV: The Monkees Mickey Dolenz Joins Debbie Gibson-vs.-Tiffany in 'Mega Python vs. Gatoroid' |date=July 14, 2010 |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref> On February 21, 2015, he had a cameo as himself in the ] TV special '']''. In 2017, he appeared as himself on the sitcom '']''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Micky Dolenz on Twitter: "Micky Dolenz guest stars on the season three premiere of Difficult People, Tuesday, August 8, exclusively on Hulu! @DifficultOnHulu" |url=https://twitter.com/TheMickyDolenz1/status/892812765605310481 |website=] |access-date=23 June 2018 |language=en |date=2 August 2017}}</ref> On January 29, 2011, Dolenz appeared in the ] film '']'', alongside ] and ].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Cruz-Bardem-Marry-1020546.aspx|title=Syfy Adds a Monkee to Debbie Gibson-Tiffany Movie|magazine=TV Guide}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20887 |title=TV: The Monkees Mickey Dolenz Joins Debbie Gibson-vs.-Tiffany in 'Mega Python vs. Gatoroid' |date=July 14, 2010 |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref> On February 21, 2015, he had a cameo as himself in the ] TV special '']''. In 2017, he appeared as himself on the sitcom '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roush |first=Matt |date=2017-09-05 |title=What's On: 'American Horror Story' goes 'Cult,' Catching the 'Unabomber,' 'Difficult People' Monkees Around |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/395326/whats-on-american-horror-story-goes-cult-catching-the-unabomber-difficult-people-monkees-around/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=TV Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Directorial work== ==Directorial work==
In 1980, Dolenz produced and directed the British television sitcom '']'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/m/metalmickey_1299002058.shtml |title=BBC – Comedy – Shows A-Z Index |access-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-date=July 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702155633/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/m/metalmickey_1299002058.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> featuring a large metallic robot with the catch-phrase "boogie boogie". In 1981, he directed a short film based on the sketch "]", with ] playing multiple roles. In the early 1980s, Dolenz directed a stage adaptation of '']''.<ref name="timetravelispossible.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.timetravelispossible.com/ourradioprograms.html |title=Welcome to...Time Travel Is Possible |publisher=Timetravelispossible.com |access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref> He was producer of the TV show '']'' in 1983–84.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grwv0eSRAPI |title=Opening sequence of ''Luna'' |publisher=YouTube |access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref> In 1980, Dolenz produced and directed the British television sitcom '']'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/m/metalmickey_1299002058.shtml |title=BBC – Comedy – Shows A-Z Index |access-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-date=July 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702155633/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/m/metalmickey_1299002058.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> featuring a large metallic robot with the catch-phrase "boogie boogie". In 1981, he directed a short film based on the sketch "]", with ] playing multiple roles. In the early 1980s, Dolenz directed a stage adaptation of '']''.<ref name="timetravelispossible.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.timetravelispossible.com/ourradioprograms.html |title=Welcome to...Time Travel Is Possible |publisher=Timetravelispossible.com |access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref> He was producer of the TV show '']'' in 1983–84.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grwv0eSRAPI |title=Opening sequence of ''Luna'' |publisher=YouTube |access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref>


==MTV reignites Monkee Mania== ==MTV reignites Monkee Mania==
In 1986, a screening of the entire Monkees television series by MTV led to renewed interest in the band, followed by a single, "That Was Then, This Is Now", which reached No. 20 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in the U.S. and No.41 in Canada,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.0722.pdf| title=RPM Top 100 Singles - September 6, 1986}}</ref> a 20th-anniversary tour, a greatest hits album, and a brand new LP, '']'' in 1987. The band's original albums were reissued, and all hit the record charts at the same time.
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] -->
In 1986, a screening of the entire Monkees television series by MTV led to renewed interest in the group, followed by a single ("That Was Then, This Is Now" reached No. 20 on the'' Billboard'' Hot 100 in the U.S.), a 20th-anniversary tour, a greatest hits album, and a brand new LP, '']'' in 1987. The group's original albums were reissued and all hit the record charts at the same time.


Since 1986, Dolenz has joined the other ex-Monkees for several ] tours, and has toured extensively as a solo artist. He continued to direct for television both in the United Kingdom and the United States, and had occasional acting gigs, including roles in the TV series '']'' and as the mayor on the cable TV series '']''.<ref>{{Citation|title=Pacific Blue (TV Series 1996–2000)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112112/fullcredits|access-date=2018-02-24}}</ref> Beginning in 1986, Dolenz joined the other ex-Monkees for several ] tours and toured extensively as a solo artist.


=== WCBS-FM === === WCBS-FM ===
] ]
On January 10, 2005, Dolenz replaced Dan Taylor as the morning disc jockey at ] radio station ] in New York.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2004/12/08/2004-12-08_wcbs_monkees_with_morning_sl.html | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=Wcbs Monkees With Morning Slot | date=December 8, 2004 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On June 3, 2005, Dolenz celebrated his 100th show with a special morning show at B.B. King's. In an ironic and controversial twist, that was also his last regular show at the station; at 5:00&nbsp;pm, WCBS-FM announced that the station would replace its oldies format with a "]" format, eliminating the need for on-air disc jockeys. On January 10, 2005, Dolenz replaced Dan Taylor as the morning disc jockey at ] radio station ] in New York.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2004/12/08/2004-12-08_wcbs_monkees_with_morning_sl.html | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=Wcbs Monkees With Morning Slot | date=December 8, 2004 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On June 3, 2005, Dolenz celebrated his 100th show with a special morning show at B.B. King's. That was also his last regular show at the station; at 5:00&nbsp;pm, WCBS-FM announced that the station would replace its oldies format with a "]" format, eliminating the need for on-air disc jockeys.


However, WCBS-FM had since returned to its oldies format on July 12, 2007, with Taylor again re-assuming his role as the morning disc jockey the following day. Several months later, Dolenz was invited back to the station to do his long-postponed 101st show, and his final in-studio appearance there, by guest-hosting on a three-hour broadcast stint during its Sunday evening "New York Radio Greats" program on February 3, 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/greener-fields-greenfield-article-1.307464 | work=New York Daily News | title=Greener fields for Greenfield | date=February 1, 2008}}</ref> However, WCBS-FM eventually returned to its oldies format on July 12, 2007, with Taylor re-assuming his role as the morning disc jockey the following day. Several months later, on February 3, 2008, Dolenz was invited back to the station to present his long-postponed 101st show and final in-studio appearance there by guest-hosting a three-hour broadcast during WCBS' Sunday evening "New York Radio Greats" program.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/greener-fields-greenfield-article-1.307464 | work=New York Daily News | title=Greener fields for Greenfield | date=February 1, 2008 | access-date=March 12, 2012 | archive-date=June 16, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616112834/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/greener-fields-greenfield-article-1.307464 | url-status=dead }}</ref>


=== Solo work and further Monkees reunions === === Solo work and further Monkees reunions ===
In 2009, Dolenz signed a deal to record an album of the classic songs of ], titled ''King for a Day''. The album (released on Gigitone Records) was produced by ], who has worked extensively with ] and played on Wilson's 2004 Grammy-winning '']''. King's songs "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "Sometime in the Morning", and "Porpoise Song" (Theme from ''Head'') have emerged as signature songs from the Monkees. As of February 2010, he was appearing on stage in London in ''Hairspray'' with Michael Ball. The show also went on tour and had a successful run in Dublin, Ireland, during November 2010. In 2011, he rejoined Tork and Jones for ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Monkees announce 10-date concert tour |url=http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Music/2011/02/21/Monkees-announce-10-date-concert-tour/UPI-30601298316685/ |work=] |date=February 21, 2011 |access-date=May 26, 2011}}</ref> In 2009, Dolenz signed a deal to record an album of the classic songs of ], titled ''King for a Day''. The album (released on Gigitone Records) was produced by ], who has worked extensively with ] and played on Wilson's 2004 Grammy-winning '']''. King's songs "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "Sometime in the Morning", and "Porpoise Song" (Theme from ''Head'') have emerged as signature songs from the Monkees. As of February 2010, he was appearing on stage in London in ''Hairspray'' with Michael Ball. The show also went on tour and had a successful run in Dublin, Ireland, during November 2010. In 2011, he rejoined Tork and Jones for ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Monkees announce 10-date concert tour |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Music/2011/02/21/Monkees-announce-10-date-concert-tour/UPI-30601298316685/ |work=] |date=February 21, 2011 |access-date=May 26, 2011}}</ref>
After Jones' sudden death in February 2012, Dolenz and Tork reunited with Michael Nesmith for a 12-concert tour of the United States as a tribute.<ref>{{cite news |title=Monkees Tour: Band Announces First Concert Run Since Davy Jones' Death |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/08/monkees-tour-band-davy-jones_n_1757773.html/ |agency=] |date=August 8, 2012 |access-date=January 10, 2013}}</ref> The three remaining Monkees toured again in 2013 and 2014 and Dolenz toured as a duo with Tork in 2015 and 2016.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Reed |first=Ryan |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-monkees-to-monkey-around-the-u-s-on-summer-tour-20140326 |title=The Monkees to Monkey Around the U.S. This Summer |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2014-03-26 |access-date=2017-03-27}}</ref> After Jones' sudden death in February 2012, Dolenz and Tork reunited with Michael Nesmith for a 12-concert tour of the United States as a tribute.<ref>{{cite news |title=Monkees Tour: Band Announces First Concert Run Since Davy Jones' Death |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/08/monkees-tour-band-davy-jones_n_1757773.html/ |agency=] |date=August 8, 2012 |access-date=January 10, 2013}}</ref> The three remaining Monkees toured again in 2013 and 2014 and Dolenz toured as a duo with Tork in 2015 and 2016.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reed |first=Ryan |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-monkees-to-monkey-around-the-u-s-on-summer-tour-20140326 |title=The Monkees to Monkey Around the U.S. This Summer |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2014-03-26 |access-date=2017-03-27 |archive-date=October 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013110216/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-monkees-to-monkey-around-the-u-s-on-summer-tour-20140326 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


Following Tork's death in 2019, Dolenz toured with Nesmith as "The Mike and Micky Show" in 2018 and 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/monkees-micky-dolenz-mike-nesmith-announce-tour-w516902|title=Monkees' Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith Announce First Tour as Duo|first=Andy|last=Greene|date=February 20, 2018|magazine=]|access-date=July 14, 2018}}</ref> On May 4, 2021, Dolenz and Nesmith announced "The Monkees Farewell Tour" which was the last for the group. The tour consisted of 40 US dates from September to November. The final show was held on November 14, 2021 at the ] in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2021/05/the-monkees-2021-farewell-tour/ |last=Corcoran |first=Nina |date=May 3, 2021 |title=The Monkees Announce 2021 Farewell Tour |work=consequence.net |access-date=September 5, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=326339412186535&set=a.293270005493476|title=The Monkees - Michael Nesmith & Micky Dolenz - are pleased to announce four added dates to their Farewell Tour in Portland, Austin, Memphis & Washington, D.C.!|website=Facebook}}</ref> Following Tork's death in 2019, Dolenz toured with Nesmith as "The Mike and Micky Show" in 2018 and 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/monkees-micky-dolenz-mike-nesmith-announce-tour-w516902|title=Monkees' Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith Announce First Tour as Duo|first=Andy|last=Greene|date=February 20, 2018|magazine=]|access-date=July 14, 2018|archive-date=June 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623033127/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/monkees-micky-dolenz-mike-nesmith-announce-tour-w516902|url-status=dead}}</ref> On May 4, 2021, Dolenz and Nesmith announced "The Monkees Farewell Tour" which was the last for the group. The tour consisted of 40 US dates from September to November. The final show was held on November 14, 2021, at the ] in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2021/05/the-monkees-2021-farewell-tour/ |last=Corcoran |first=Nina |date=May 3, 2021 |title=The Monkees Announce 2021 Farewell Tour |work=consequence.net |access-date=September 5, 2021}}</ref>


On May 21, 2021, Dolenz released a solo album, ''Dolenz Sings Nesmith'', featuring songs written by Nesmith and produced by Christian Nesmith.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/monkees-micky-dolenz-sings-mike-nesmith-1234978891/ |last=Amorosi |first=A. D. |date=May 21, 2021 |title=Micky Dolenz on Why the Monkees Are Doing a Farewell Tour and His New 'Dolenz Sings Nesmith' Album |work=] |access-date=September 5, 2021}}</ref> On May 21, 2021, Dolenz released a solo album, ''Dolenz Sings Nesmith'', featuring songs written by Nesmith and produced by Christian Nesmith.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/monkees-micky-dolenz-sings-mike-nesmith-1234978891/ |last=Amorosi |first=A. D. |date=May 21, 2021 |title=Micky Dolenz on Why the Monkees Are Doing a Farewell Tour and His New 'Dolenz Sings Nesmith' Album |work=] |access-date=September 5, 2021}}</ref>

On November 3, 2023 Dolenz released an ] of ] cover songs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gustafson |first1=Hana |title=The Monkees' Micky Dolenz Announces R.E.M. Covers EP, Shares "Shiny Happy People" |url=https://jambands.com/news/2023/09/15/listen-the-monkees-micky-dolenz-announces-r-e-m-covers-ep-shares-shiny-happy-people/ |website=Jambands |publisher=Relix Media Group, LLC |access-date=17 September 2023 |date=15 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="rem">{{cite web |title=Micky Dolenz – Dolenz Sings R.E.M. {{!}} Welcome to 7a Records |url=https://www.7arecords.com/product/micky-dolenz-dolenz-sings-r-e-m/ |website=7a Records |access-date=3 November 2023}}</ref>


===Other tours=== ===Other tours===
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==Personal life== ==Personal life==
]
Dolenz has been married three times and is the father of four daughters. In 1967, while in the UK on tour with the Monkees, Dolenz met future wife ], a co-presenter on ] TV's pop music show '']''. They married in 1968, and their daughter ] was born on January 8, 1969; she became an actress who was particularly active in the 1980s and 1990s. Dolenz and Juste divorced in 1975, but remained close friends until her death following a stroke on February 5, 2014.<ref>{{cite journal Dolenz has been married three times and is the father of four daughters. In 1967, while in the UK on tour with the Monkees, Dolenz met future wife ], a co-presenter on ] TV's pop music show '']''. They married in 1968, and their daughter ] was born on January 8, 1969; she became an actress who was particularly active in the 1980s and 1990s. Dolenz and Juste divorced in 1975, but remained close friends until her death following a stroke on February 5, 2014.<ref>{{cite news
|journal=Daily Telegraph |work=Daily Telegraph
|date=10 February 2014 |date=10 February 2014
|title=Obituary of Samantha Juste |title=Obituary of Samantha Juste
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}}</ref> }}</ref>


He married Trina Dow in 1977. The couple had three daughters: Charlotte Janelle (born August 8, 1981), Emily Claire (born July 25, 1983), and Georgia Rose (born September 3, 1984). They divorced in 1991. ] has become a couples therapist, still using her married name. Dolenz married his third wife, Donna Quinter, in 2002. He married Trina Dow in 1977. They had three daughters: Charlotte Janelle (born August 8, 1981), Emily Claire (born July 25, 1983), and Georgia Rose (born September 3, 1984). They divorced in 1991. Trina Dow Dolenz has become a couples therapist, still using her married name.


Dolenz married his third wife, Donna Quinter, in 2002.
He is an ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nndb.com/people/669/000024597/ |title=Micky Dolenz |publisher=Nndb.com |access-date=2020-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azquotes.com/quote/1124360 |title=Micky Dolenz quote: Is there a God? No. God is a verb, not |publisher=Azquotes.com |access-date=2020-05-24}}</ref>


==Discography== ==Discography==
{{see also|The Monkees discography}} {{see also|The Monkees discography}}
;Albums '''Albums'''
*'']'' (Capitol, 1976) - with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart *'']'' (Capitol, 1976) with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
*''Concert in Japan'' (Capitol, 1976) - live, with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart *''Concert in Japan'' (Capitol, 1976) live, with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
*''The Point!'' (MCA, 1977) - with the London cast of '']'' (MCA Records - VIM 6262; CD release 2016, Varèse Sarabande) *''The Point!'' (MCA, 1977) with the London cast of '']'' (MCA Records VIM 6262; CD release 2016, Varèse Sarabande)
*''Micky Dolenz Puts You to Sleep'' (Kid Rhino, 1991) *''Micky Dolenz Puts You to Sleep'' (Kid Rhino, 1991)
*''Broadway Micky'' (Kid Rhino, 1994) *''Broadway Micky'' (Kid Rhino, 1994)
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*''King for a Day'' (Gigatone, 2010) *''King for a Day'' (Gigatone, 2010)
*''Remember'' (Robo, 2012) *''Remember'' (Robo, 2012)
*''A Little Bit Broadway, a Little Bit Rock and Roll'' (Broadway, 2015) - live *''A Little Bit Broadway, a Little Bit Rock and Roll'' (Broadway, 2015) live
*''An Evening With Peter Noone & Micky Dolenz'' (7A Records, 2016) - spoken word, live *''An Evening With Peter Noone & Micky Dolenz'' (7A Records, 2016) spoken word, live
*''The MGM Singles Collection - Expanded CD Edition'' (7A Records, 2016) *''The MGM Singles Collection Expanded CD Edition'' (7A Records, 2016)
*''Out of Nowhere'' (7A Records, 2017) *''Out of Nowhere'' (7A Records, 2017)
*''Live in Japan'' (7A Records, 2020) *''Live in Japan'' (7A Records, 2020)
*''Dolenz Sings Nesmith'' (7A Records, 2021) - produced by ] *''Dolenz Sings Nesmith'' (7A Records, 2021) produced by ]
*''Demoiselle'' (7A Records, 2022) – expanded deluxe edition
*''Dolenz Sings R.E.M.'' (EP, 7a Records, 2023)<ref name="rem" />


;Singles '''Singles'''
*"Don't Do It"/"Plastic Symphony III" (Challenge, 1967) (recorded in 1965) US No. 75<ref name="Whitburn">{{cite book| last = Whitburn| first = Joel| title = The Comparison Book Billboard/Cash Box/Record World 1954-1982| publisher = Sheridan Books| year = 2015| isbn = 978-0-89820-213-7|page=149}}</ref> *"Don't Do It"/"Plastic Symphony III" (Challenge, 1967) (recorded in 1965) US No. 75<ref name="Whitburn">{{cite book| last = Whitburn| first = Joel| title = The Comparison Book Billboard/Cash Box/Record World 1954–1982| publisher = Sheridan Books| year = 2015| isbn = 978-0-89820-213-7|page=149}}</ref> CAN No. 74<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.10050| title=RPM Top 100 Singles - April 1, 1967}}</ref>
*"Huff Puff"/"Fate (Big Ben)" (Challenge, 1967) (recorded in 1965) *"Huff Puff"/"Fate (Big Ben)" (Challenge, 1967) (recorded in 1965)
*"]"/"Lady Jane" (Bell, 1971) - with Davy Jones *"]"/"Lady Jane" (Bell, 1971) - with Davy Jones
*"Easy on You"/"Oh Someone" (MGM, 1971) *"Easy on You"/"Oh Someone" (MGM, 1971)
*"A Lover's Prayer"/"Unattended in the Dungeon" (MGM, 1972) *"A Lover's Prayer"/"Unattended in the Dungeon" (MGM, 1972)
*"Johnny B. Goode"/"It's Amazing to Me" (Lion, 1972) - with Starship *"Johnny B. Goode"/"It's Amazing to Me" (Lion, 1972) with Starship
*"Daybreak"/"Love War" (Romar, 1973) *"Daybreak"/"Love War" (Romar, 1973)
*"The Buddy Holly Tribute"/"Ooh, She's Young" (Romar, 1974) *"The Buddy Holly Tribute"/"Ooh, She's Young" (Romar, 1974)
*"I Remember the Feeling"/"You and I" (Capitol, 1975) - with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart *"I Remember the Feeling"/"You and I" (Capitol, 1975) with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
*"I Love You and I'm Glad That I Said It"/"Saving My Love for You" (Capitol, 1975) - with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart *"I Love You and I'm Glad That I Said It"/"Saving My Love for You" (Capitol, 1975) with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
*"]"/"]" (Harmony, 1976) - with Davy Jones & Peter Tork *"]"/"]" (Harmony, 1976) with Davy Jones & Peter Tork
*"Lovelight"/"Alicia" (Chrysalis, 1979) *"Lovelight"/"Alicia" (Chrysalis, 1979)
*"To Be or Not to Be"/"Beverly Hills" (JAM, 1981) *"To Be or Not to Be"/"Beverly Hills" (JAM, 1981)
*"Tomorrow"/"Fat Sam's Grand Slam" (A&M, 1983) - with the Bugsy Malone Gang *"Tomorrow"/"Fat Sam's Grand Slam" (A&M, 1983) with the Bugsy Malone Gang
*"Chance of a Lifetime"/"Livin' on Lies" (7A Records, 2016) *"Chance of a Lifetime"/"Livin' on Lies" (7A Records, 2016)
*"]"/"]"/"]"/"]" (7A Records, 2016) - with ] and Circe Link *"]"/"]"/"]"/"]" (7A Records, 2016) with ] and Circe Link
*"Sunny Girlfriend"/"Zor and Zam" (Live in Japan, 1982) (7A Records, 2016) *"Sunny Girlfriend"/"Zor and Zam" (Live in Japan, 1982) (7A Records, 2016)


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|- |-
| 1972 | 1972
| ''The Night of the Strangler'' | '']''
| Vance | Vance
| |
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! Notes ! Notes
|- |-
| 1956–1957
| 1956-1957
| ''Circus Boy'' | '']''
| Corky | Corky
| main cast; 49 episodes (as Mickey Braddock) | main cast; 49 episodes (as Mickey Braddock)
|- |-
| 1958 | 1958
| ''Zane Grey Theater'' | '']''
| Ted Matson | Ted Matson
| Episode: "The Vaunted" (as Mickey Braddock) | Episode: "The Vaunted" (as Mickey Braddock)
|- |-
| 1959 | 1959
| ''Playhouse 90'' | '']''
| Melvin | Melvin
| Episode: "The Velvet Alley" (as Micky Braddock) | Episode: "The Velvet Alley" (as Micky Braddock)
|- |-
| 1964 | 1964
| ''Mr. Novak'' | '']''
| Ed | Ed
| Episode: "Born of Kings and Angels" (as Micky Braddock) | Episode: "Born of Kings and Angels" (as Micky Braddock)
|- |-
| 1965 | 1965
| ''Peyton Place'' | '']''
| Kitch Brunner | Kitch Brunner
| 3 episodes | 3 episodes
|- |-
| 1966–1968
| 1966-1968
| ''The Monkees'' | '']''
| Micky / Robot Micky / "Baby Face" Morales | Micky / Robot Micky / "Baby Face" Morales
| main cast; 58 episodes; writer/director - episode: "Mijacogeo" | main cast; 58 episodes; writer/director episode: "Mijacogeo"
|- |-
| 1966 | 1966
| The Monkees: "I'm a Believer" | The Monkees: "]"
| Micky Dolenz | Micky Dolenz
| music video | music video
|- |-
| 1967 | 1967
| The Monkees: "Daydream Believer" | The Monkees: "]"
| Micky Dolenz | Micky Dolenz
| music video | music video
|- |-
| 1969 | 1969
| ''33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee'' | '']''
| Micky Dolenz | Micky Dolenz
| Television film
| TV movie
|- |-
| 1969 | 1969
| ''The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour'' | '']''
| Micky Dolenz | Micky Dolenz
| Episode: "Jeannie C. Riley & The Monkees"; guest performer | Episode: "Jeannie C. Riley & The Monkees"; guest performer
|- |-
| 1969 | 1969
| ''Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In'' | '']''
| Micky Dolenz | Micky Dolenz
| Episode #3.4; guest performer | Episode #3.4; guest performer
|- |-
| 1972 | 1972
| ''The Funky Phantom'' | '']''
| Skip Gilroy (voice) | Skip Gilroy
| Voice; 17 episodes<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Micky Dolenz (visual voices guide) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Micky-Dolenz/ |access-date=October 21, 2023 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
| Episode: "Ghost Grabbers"
|- |-
| 1972 | 1972
| ''My Three Sons'' | '']''
| John Simpson / Brian Lipsker | John Simpson / Brian Lipsker
| Episode: "Barbara Lost" | Episode: "Barbara Lost"
|- |-
| 1972 | 1972
| ''Adam-12'' | '']''
| Oiler | Oiler
| Episode: "Dirt Duel" | Episode: "Dirt Duel"
|- |-
| 1972 | 1972
| ''Cannon'' | '']''
| Cappy | Cappy
| Episode: "Bitter Legion" | Episode: "Bitter Legion"
Line 312: Line 311:
| 1973 | 1973
| '']'' | '']''
| Wally (voice) | Wally
|Voice
|
|- |-
| 1973 | 1973
| ''Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law'' | '']''
| Rick Schenk | Rick Schenk
| Episode: "The Camerons Are a Special Clan" | Episode: "The Camerons Are a Special Clan"
|- |-
| 1974 | 1974
| ''Partridge Family 2200 A.D.'' | '']''
| |
| Voice
| voice acting role
|- |-
| 1974 | 1974
| '']'' | '']''
| |
| Voice
| voice acting role
|- |-
| 1975 | 1975
| '']'' | '']''
| Tod Devlin (voice) | Tod Devlin
|Voice
|
|-
| 1976
| '']''
|Alex Super
| Voice; episode: "Mamba Wamba & the Voodoo Hoodoo"
|- |-
| 1977 | 1977
| ''Wonder Wheels'' | '']''
| Willie Wheeler (voice) | Willie Wheeler
| Voice
| aired as part of ''The Skatebirds''
|- |-
| 1977–1980
| 1977-1980
| ''Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels'' | '']''
| Additional voices | Additional voices
| 38 episodes | 38 episodes
|-
| 1978
| ''The Scooby-Doo/Dynomutt Hour''
|
| Episode: "The Diabolical Disc Demon"; voice acting role
|- |-
| 1979 | 1979
Line 358: Line 357:
| ''Premiere'' | ''Premiere''
| |
| director - episode: "Story Without a Hero" | director episode: "Story Without a Hero"
|- |-
| 1980–1983
| 1980-1983
| ''Metal Mickey'' | '']''
| |
| producer, 39 episodes (as Michael Dolenz); director, 21 episodes (as Michael Dolenz) | producer, 39 episodes (as Michael Dolenz); director, 21 episodes (as Michael Dolenz)
Line 376: Line 375:
|- |-
| 1982 | 1982
| ''Murphy's Mob'' | '']''
| |
| director | director
|- |-
| 1983 | 1983
| ''No Problem!'' | '']''
| |
| producer; director, 6 episodes | producer; director, 6 episodes
Line 390: Line 389:
| producer, 6 episodes; director, 6 episodes | producer, 6 episodes; director, 6 episodes
|- |-
| 1983–1984
| 1983-1984
| ''Luna'' | ''Luna''
| |
Line 398: Line 397:
| ''Television Parts'' | ''Television Parts''
| |
| TV movie; director (as Michael Dolenz) | Television film, also director
|- |-
| 1985 | 1985
Line 426: Line 425:
|- |-
| 1990 | 1990
| ''Aladdin'' | '']''
| |
| TV movie; director | Television film; director
|- |-
| 1992 | 1992
| ''Batman: The Animated Series'' | '']''
| Min / Max (voice) | Min / Max
| Episode: "Two-Face Part II" | Voice; episode: "Two-Face Part II"<ref name="btva" />
|- |-
| 1992 | 1992
| ''The Ben Stiller Show'' | '']''
| Josh Goldsilver | Josh Goldsilver
| Episode: "With Rob Morrow" | Episode: "With Rob Morrow"
|- |-
| 1994 | 1994
| ''Monty'' | '']''
| Eli Campbell | Eli Campbell
| Episode: "My Dad Could Beat Up Your Dad" | Episode: "My Dad Could Beat Up Your Dad"
|- |-
| 1995 | 1995
| ''Aaahh!!! Real Monsters'' | '']''
| Jed / Kilowog (voice) | Jed / Kilowog
| Episode: "Simon Strikes Back/The Ickis Box" | Voice; episode: "Simon Strikes Back/The Ickis Box"
|- |-
| 1994–1995 | 1994–1995
| ''The Tick'' | '']''
| Arthur / Arthur Clone / Captain Lemming (voice) | Arthur / Arthur Clone / Captain Lemming
| 13 episodes | Voice; 13 episodes
|- |-
| 1994–1995 | 1994–1995
| ''Boy Meets World'' | '']''
| Gordy / Norm | Gordy / Norm
| 2 episodes; director, 2 episodes | 2 episodes; director, 2 episodes
|- |-
| 1996 | 1996
| ''Pacific Blue'' | '']''
| Mayor Micky Dolenz | Mayor Micky Dolenz
| 2 episodes; director - episode: "Moving Target" | 2 episodes; director episode: "Moving Target"
|- |-
| 1996 | 1996
Line 473: Line 472:
| '']'' | '']''
| Micky | Micky
| TV movie; executive producer | Television film; also executive producer
|- |-
| 1997 | 1997
Line 480: Line 479:
| Episode: "The Love Bug" | Episode: "The Love Bug"
|- |-
| 1998–1999
| 1998-1999
| '']'' | '']''
| Ralph / Scribble (voice) | Ralph / Scribble
|Voice
|- |-
| 2001 | 2001
| ''The Drew Carey Show'' | '']''
| Mr. Metcalf | Mr. Metcalf
| Episode: "Drew and the King" | Episode: "Drew and the King"
|- |-
| 2002 | 2002
| ''As the World Turns'' | '']''
| The Vicar | The Vicar
| Episode #1.11769 | Episode #1.11769
|- |-
| 2011 | 2011
| ''Mega Python vs. Gatoroid'' | '']''
| Micky Dolenz | Micky Dolenz
| Television film
| TV movie
|- |-
| 2015 | 2015
| ''Bagboy'' | '']''
| Micky Dolenz | Micky Dolenz
| TV movie; uncredited role | Television film; uncredited
|- |-
| 2017 | 2017
| ''Mighty Magiswords'' | '']''
| Wendell the Love Grub (voice) | Wendell the Love Grub
| Episode: "The Saga of Robopiggeh!"; short | Voice; episode: "The Saga of Robopiggeh!"<ref name="btva" />
|- |-
| 2017 | 2017
| ''Difficult People'' | '']''
| Micky Dolenz | Micky Dolenz
| Episode: "Fuzz Buddies" | Episode: "Fuzz Buddies"
Line 518: Line 518:
* 1977–1978: ''The Point!'', Mermaid Theatre, London, England (Role: Count's Kid / The Leafman) * 1977–1978: ''The Point!'', Mermaid Theatre, London, England (Role: Count's Kid / The Leafman)
* 1983: ''Bugsy Malone'', Her Majesty's Theatre, London, England (director) * 1983: ''Bugsy Malone'', Her Majesty's Theatre, London, England (director)
* 1994–1998: ''Grease'', Eugene O'Neill Theatre, NYC (Role: Vince Fontaine - replacement) * 1994–1998: ''Grease'', Eugene O'Neill Theatre, NYC (Role: Vince Fontaine replacement)
* 2004: ''Aida'', Palace Theatre, NYC (Role: Zoser - replacement) * 2004: ''Aida'', Palace Theatre, NYC (Role: Zoser replacement)
* 2006: ''Pippin'', Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, Connecticut (Role: Charlemagne) * 2006: ''Pippin'', Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, Connecticut (Role: Charlemagne)
* 2010: ''Hairspray'', Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin, Ireland (Role: Wilbur Turnblad - alternate) * 2010: ''Hairspray'', Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin, Ireland (Role: Wilbur Turnblad alternate)


==References== ==References==
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==Further reading== ==Further reading==
* Dye, David. ''Child and Youth Actors: Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914-1985''. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 1988, p.&nbsp;24. * Dye, David. ''Child and Youth Actors: Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914–1985''. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 1988, p.&nbsp;24.


==External links== ==External links==
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* {{official website}} * {{official website}}
* {{IMDb name|0004880}} * {{IMDb name|0004880}}
* {{discogs artist|Micky Dolenz}}
* *
* {{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} * {{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* *


{{The Monkees}} {{The Monkees}}
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Latest revision as of 13:56, 26 December 2024

American musician and actor (born 1945)

Micky Dolenz
Dolenz smilingDolenz in 2022 on the Beach Boys cruise
BornGeorge Michael Dolenz Jr.
(1945-03-08) March 8, 1945 (age 79)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesMickey Braddock
Occupations
  • Musician
  • actor
  • singer
  • TV producer
  • businessman
Years active1956–present
Spouses
  • Samantha Juste ​ ​(m. 1968; div. 1975)
  • Trina Dow ​ ​(m. 1977; div. 1991)
  • Donna Quinter ​(m. 2002)
Children4, including Ami
Parents
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • drums
  • guitar
  • keyboards
Formerly ofThe Monkees, Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
Musical artist
Websitemickydolenz.com

George Michael Dolenz Jr. (born March 8, 1945) is an American musician and actor. He was the drummer and one of two primary vocalists for the pop rock band the Monkees (1966–1970, and reunions until 2021), and a co-star of the TV series The Monkees (1966–1968). Dolenz is the last surviving member of the band.

Life and entertainment career

Dolenz was born in Los Angeles, the son of actors George Dolenz and Janelle Johnson. He has three sisters, Gemma Marie ("Coco"), Deborah, and Kathleen ("Gina"). Gemma's nickname, Coco, is a shortened form of "Coco Sunshine", a nickname given to her as a child by Micky. Coco was a frequent guest on the set of The Monkees TV show and sometimes a guest performer on records by the Monkees, singing background vocals or duetting with Micky. She often performs as a member of Micky's backing band during his concerts.

Dolenz suffered from Perthes disease as a child, affecting his hip joint and right leg, leaving that leg weaker (and shorter) than the other. This resulted in Dolenz adapting an unorthodox drum setup – right-handed and left-footed – in his musical career.

Circus Boy

Dolenz as Corky

Dolenz began his show-business career in 1956 when he starred in a children's TV show called Circus Boy under the name Mickey Braddock. He played Corky, an orphaned water boy for the elephants in a one-ring circus at the start of the 20th century. The program ran for two seasons, after which Dolenz made sporadic appearances on network television shows and pursued his education. Dolenz went to Ulysses S. Grant High School in Valley Glen and graduated in 1962. In 1964, he was cast as Ed in the episode "Born of Kings and Angels" of the NBC education drama series Mr. Novak, starring James Franciscus as an idealistic Los Angeles teacher. Dolenz was attending college in Los Angeles when he was hired for the "drummer" role in NBC's The Monkees.

Early musical career

Dolenz originally had his own rock band called "Micky and the One-Nighters" in the early- to mid-1960s with himself as lead singer. He had already begun writing his own songs. According to Dolenz, his band's live stage act included rock songs, cover songs, and even some R&B. One of his favorite songs to sing was Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode", which he sang at his Monkees audition, resulting in his being hired as one of the cast/band members. He recorded two 45s in 1965 that went unreleased until the Monkees' success in 1967. Issued on the Challenge label, the recordings were "Don't Do It" b/w "Plastic Symphony III" and "Huff Puff" b/w "Fate (Big Ben)". Neither B-side on the Challenge 45s is by Dolenz, but rather a band later credited as The Obvious.

The Monkees

Dolenz at a 1966 Monkees photoshoot

In 1965, Dolenz was cast in the television sitcom The Monkees and became the drummer and a lead vocalist in the band created for the show. Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, writers of many of the Monkees' songs, observed quickly that when brought into the studio together, the four actors would try to make each other laugh. Because of this, the writers often brought in each singer individually. The antics escalated until Dolenz poured a cup of ice on Don Kirshner's head. At the time, Dolenz did not know Kirshner on sight.

During tension-filled times, Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork voluntarily turned over lead vocal duties to Dolenz on their own compositions.

Dolenz wrote a few of the band's self-penned songs, most prominently "Randy Scouse Git" from the album Headquarters. He provided the lead vocals for such hits as "Last Train to Clarksville", "Pleasant Valley Sunday", and "I'm a Believer".

Dolenz purchased the third modular Moog synthesizer sold commercially. (The first two belonged to Wendy Carlos and Buck Owens.) His performance on the Monkees' song "Daily Nightly" (written by Nesmith), from the album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., was one of the first uses of the synthesizer on a rock recording. He eventually sold his instrument to Bobby Sherman.

He is the last surviving member of the Monkees (after Davy Jones's death in 2012, Tork's in 2019, and Nesmith's in 2021). He is the only member of the Monkees who was part of every lineup from the band's inception, and the only member with contemporary recordings of his vocals on all studio albums.

Solo MGM recordings

The Moog synthesizer that Dolenz had bought proved vital when he composed a song entitled "Easy on You" in 1971; he began recording it in his home studio, playing acoustic guitar and drums, and using the Moog like a keyboard. With that song completed, he next invited former Monkee Peter Tork over to help with more recordings. Then, a fortuitous street encounter led to former Monkee stand-in David Price joining, as well as contributing a rock song he had written called "Oh Someone". With Dolenz on drums and vocals, Tork on bass, and Price on rhythm guitar, the song was completed in only two hours; subsequently, guitarist B.J. Jones came in two days later and added lead guitar. With these two songs recorded, Dolenz contacted his former high school friend Mike Curb, then the head of MGM Records; after playing the songs for Curb, Dolenz was immediately signed to MGM.

Dolenz recorded and released songs for MGM for about three years (with a few of the songs being credited to Starship, an ersatz group, not the later Jefferson Starship). After the first year, Dolenz's friend Harry Nilsson contributed his song "Daybreak", also arranging and producing the recording, which included Keith Allison on guitar, former Monkees producer Chip Douglas on bass, and steel-guitarist Orville "Red" Rhodes.

By early 1974, with no chart successes to date, Dolenz headed to England, and with Tony Scotti, he cut four songs for MGM: two rock classics, "Splish Splash" and "Purple People Eater", as well as "I Hate Rock and Roll" and a new song, "Wing Walker". Meanwhile, Mike Curb left MGM and joined Warner Bros. Records. Dolenz's association with MGM then ended (and those final four songs remained unreleased).

Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart

In part because of reruns of The Monkees on Saturday mornings and in syndication, The Monkees Greatest Hits charted in 1976. The LP, issued by Arista (a subsidiary of Columbia Pictures), was actually a repackaging of a 1972 compilation LP called Re-Focus that had been issued by Arista's previous label imprint, Bell Records, also owned by Columbia Pictures.

Dolenz and Jones took advantage of this, joining ex-Monkees songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart to tour the United States. They could not use the Monkees name for legal reasons, but from 1975 to 1977, as the "Golden Hits of The Monkees" show ("The Guys Who Wrote 'Em and the Guys Who Sang 'Em!"), they successfully performed in smaller venues such as state fairs and amusement parks, as well as making stops in Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. They also released an album of new material, appropriately called Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart, and a live album, Concert in Japan, was released by Capitol in 1976.

A Christmas single (credited to Dolenz, Jones and Tork) was produced by Chip Douglas and released on his own label in 1976. The single featured Douglas's and Howard Kaylan's "Christmas Is My Time of Year" (originally recorded by a 1960s supergroup, The Christmas Spirit), with a B-side of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" (Douglas released a remixed version of the single, with additional overdubbed instruments, in 1986). Tork also joined Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart on stage at Disneyland on July 4, 1976, and also joined Dolenz and Jones on stage at the Starwood in Hollywood, California in 1977.

Notable stage work

Dolenz, with beard grown out for role as King Charlemagne in Pippin at the Goodspeed Opera House.

In 1977, he performed with former bandmate Davy Jones in a stage production of the Harry Nilsson musical The Point! at London's Mermaid Theatre, playing and singing the part of the "Count's Kid" and the Leafman to Jones' starring role as Oblio (according to the CD booklet). An original cast recording was made and released. The comedic chemistry of Dolenz and Jones proved so strong that the show was revived in 1978 with Nilsson inserting additional comedy for the two, plus two more songs, with one of them ("Gotta Get Up") being sung by Dolenz and Jones together. The show was considered successful enough that another revival was planned for 1979, but it proved cost-prohibitive. After the show's run, Dolenz remained in England and began directing for stage and television, as well as producing several of the shows he directed.

From August to September 2006, Dolenz played Charlemagne at the Goodspeed Opera House for the revival of the musical Pippin in East Haddam, Connecticut. He also toured in that role. Also in the mid-2000s, Dolenz played the role of Zoser in the Broadway production of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida.

After Monkees television and film career

After The Monkees television show ended, Dolenz continued performing providing voice-overs for a number of Saturday-morning cartoon series including The Funky Phantom, Partridge Family 2200 A.D., The Scooby-Doo Show, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids, These Are the Days, Devlin, and Wonder Wheels (from The Skatebirds). Dolenz provided the voice of Arthur in the first season of the animated series The Tick. In 1972, Dolenz played Vance in the murder mystery film Night of the Strangler. He was featured in an episode of Adam-12, entitled "Dirt Duel" (season 5, episode 1), and an episode of Cannon, entitled "Bitter Legion" (season 2, episode 3). Dolenz provided the voice of Two-Face's twin henchmen Min and Max in the two-part episode "Two-Face" on Batman: The Animated Series. In a September 2006 radio interview, Dolenz reported that he was the current voice of Snuggle the Fabric Softener Bear at that time. In 2017, Dolenz returned to voice-over, providing the voice of Wendell the Love Grub, as well as singing the featured song, in the Cartoon Network series Mighty Magiswords half-hour episode, "The Saga of Robopiggeh!". Dolenz recorded the voice-acting remotely in New York weeks before his Good Times! tour.

Both Dolenz and Michael Nesmith auditioned for the role of Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli on Happy Days, but neither was selected, as they were both taller than lead actor Ron Howard and co-stars Anson Williams and Don Most.

Dolenz in Central Park, New York City, 2007

In 1975, Dolenz acted in Linda Lovelace for President, starring Linda Lovelace.

In 1994–95, Dolenz played in two episodes of the sitcom Boy Meets World; in the first one (entitled "Band on the Run"), he played Norm, a bandmate of Alan Matthews. In 1995, he joined Davy Jones and Peter Tork in episode eight of the third season (entitled "Rave On"), although they did not play the Monkees, per se – Dolenz's character is "Gordy", while Davy Jones is "Reginald Fairfield" and Tork is "Jedidiah Lawrence". However, at the climax of the program, the three are put on stage together and perform the classic Buddy Holly song "Not Fade Away", and the Temptations' "My Girl". As an inside joke, actor Dave Madden, who had played the manager on The Partridge Family, cameoed as a manager; he suddenly appears, wanting to handle the "new" group, and tells them that they "could be bigger than The Beatles", which they all scoff at.

In 2007, he appeared in Rob Zombie's remake of Halloween as Derek Allan, the owner of a gun shop.

On January 29, 2011, Dolenz appeared in the Syfy Channel film Mega Python vs. Gatoroid, alongside Debbie Gibson and Tiffany. On February 21, 2015, he had a cameo as himself in the Adult Swim TV special Bagboy. In 2017, he appeared as himself on the sitcom Difficult People.

Directorial work

In 1980, Dolenz produced and directed the British television sitcom Metal Mickey, featuring a large metallic robot with the catch-phrase "boogie boogie". In 1981, he directed a short film based on the sketch "Balham, Gateway to the South", with Robbie Coltrane playing multiple roles. In the early 1980s, Dolenz directed a stage adaptation of Bugsy Malone. He was producer of the TV show Luna in 1983–84.

MTV reignites Monkee Mania

In 1986, a screening of the entire Monkees television series by MTV led to renewed interest in the band, followed by a single, "That Was Then, This Is Now", which reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and No.41 in Canada, a 20th-anniversary tour, a greatest hits album, and a brand new LP, Pool It! in 1987. The band's original albums were reissued, and all hit the record charts at the same time.

Beginning in 1986, Dolenz joined the other ex-Monkees for several reunion tours and toured extensively as a solo artist.

WCBS-FM

Dolenz performing in 2019

On January 10, 2005, Dolenz replaced Dan Taylor as the morning disc jockey at oldies radio station WCBS-FM in New York. On June 3, 2005, Dolenz celebrated his 100th show with a special morning show at B.B. King's. That was also his last regular show at the station; at 5:00 pm, WCBS-FM announced that the station would replace its oldies format with a "Jack" format, eliminating the need for on-air disc jockeys.

However, WCBS-FM eventually returned to its oldies format on July 12, 2007, with Taylor re-assuming his role as the morning disc jockey the following day. Several months later, on February 3, 2008, Dolenz was invited back to the station to present his long-postponed 101st show and final in-studio appearance there by guest-hosting a three-hour broadcast during WCBS' Sunday evening "New York Radio Greats" program.

Solo work and further Monkees reunions

In 2009, Dolenz signed a deal to record an album of the classic songs of Carole King, titled King for a Day. The album (released on Gigitone Records) was produced by Jeffrey Foskett, who has worked extensively with Brian Wilson and played on Wilson's 2004 Grammy-winning Brian Wilson Presents Smile. King's songs "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "Sometime in the Morning", and "Porpoise Song" (Theme from Head) have emerged as signature songs from the Monkees. As of February 2010, he was appearing on stage in London in Hairspray with Michael Ball. The show also went on tour and had a successful run in Dublin, Ireland, during November 2010. In 2011, he rejoined Tork and Jones for An Evening with The Monkees: The 45th Anniversary Tour.

After Jones' sudden death in February 2012, Dolenz and Tork reunited with Michael Nesmith for a 12-concert tour of the United States as a tribute. The three remaining Monkees toured again in 2013 and 2014 and Dolenz toured as a duo with Tork in 2015 and 2016.

Following Tork's death in 2019, Dolenz toured with Nesmith as "The Mike and Micky Show" in 2018 and 2019. On May 4, 2021, Dolenz and Nesmith announced "The Monkees Farewell Tour" which was the last for the group. The tour consisted of 40 US dates from September to November. The final show was held on November 14, 2021, at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.

On May 21, 2021, Dolenz released a solo album, Dolenz Sings Nesmith, featuring songs written by Nesmith and produced by Christian Nesmith.

On November 3, 2023 Dolenz released an EP of R.E.M. cover songs.

Other tours

In late 2019, Dolenz toured with Todd Rundgren, Jason Scheff, Christopher Cross, and Joey Molland of Badfinger, in celebration of the Beatles' White Album on the "It Was Fifty Years Ago Today – A Tribute to the Beatles' White Album" tour. Dolenz performed the Monkees' songs "I'm a Believer" and "Pleasant Valley Sunday".

Personal life

Dolenz in 2013

Dolenz has been married three times and is the father of four daughters. In 1967, while in the UK on tour with the Monkees, Dolenz met future wife Samantha Juste, a co-presenter on BBC TV's pop music show Top of the Pops. They married in 1968, and their daughter Ami Bluebell Dolenz was born on January 8, 1969; she became an actress who was particularly active in the 1980s and 1990s. Dolenz and Juste divorced in 1975, but remained close friends until her death following a stroke on February 5, 2014.

He married Trina Dow in 1977. They had three daughters: Charlotte Janelle (born August 8, 1981), Emily Claire (born July 25, 1983), and Georgia Rose (born September 3, 1984). They divorced in 1991. Trina Dow Dolenz has become a couples therapist, still using her married name.

Dolenz married his third wife, Donna Quinter, in 2002.

Discography

See also: The Monkees discography

Albums

  • Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart (Capitol, 1976) – with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
  • Concert in Japan (Capitol, 1976) – live, with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
  • The Point! (MCA, 1977) – with the London cast of The Point! (MCA Records – VIM 6262; CD release 2016, Varèse Sarabande)
  • Micky Dolenz Puts You to Sleep (Kid Rhino, 1991)
  • Broadway Micky (Kid Rhino, 1994)
  • Demoiselle (self-released, 1998)
  • King for a Day (Gigatone, 2010)
  • Remember (Robo, 2012)
  • A Little Bit Broadway, a Little Bit Rock and Roll (Broadway, 2015) – live
  • An Evening With Peter Noone & Micky Dolenz (7A Records, 2016) – spoken word, live
  • The MGM Singles Collection – Expanded CD Edition (7A Records, 2016)
  • Out of Nowhere (7A Records, 2017)
  • Live in Japan (7A Records, 2020)
  • Dolenz Sings Nesmith (7A Records, 2021) – produced by Christian Nesmith
  • Demoiselle (7A Records, 2022) – expanded deluxe edition
  • Dolenz Sings R.E.M. (EP, 7a Records, 2023)

Singles

  • "Don't Do It"/"Plastic Symphony III" (Challenge, 1967) (recorded in 1965) US No. 75 CAN No. 74
  • "Huff Puff"/"Fate (Big Ben)" (Challenge, 1967) (recorded in 1965)
  • "Do It in the Name of Love"/"Lady Jane" (Bell, 1971) - with Davy Jones
  • "Easy on You"/"Oh Someone" (MGM, 1971)
  • "A Lover's Prayer"/"Unattended in the Dungeon" (MGM, 1972)
  • "Johnny B. Goode"/"It's Amazing to Me" (Lion, 1972) – with Starship
  • "Daybreak"/"Love War" (Romar, 1973)
  • "The Buddy Holly Tribute"/"Ooh, She's Young" (Romar, 1974)
  • "I Remember the Feeling"/"You and I" (Capitol, 1975) – with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
  • "I Love You and I'm Glad That I Said It"/"Saving My Love for You" (Capitol, 1975) – with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
  • "Christmas Is My Time of Year"/"White Christmas" (Harmony, 1976) – with Davy Jones & Peter Tork
  • "Lovelight"/"Alicia" (Chrysalis, 1979)
  • "To Be or Not to Be"/"Beverly Hills" (JAM, 1981)
  • "Tomorrow"/"Fat Sam's Grand Slam" (A&M, 1983) – with the Bugsy Malone Gang
  • "Chance of a Lifetime"/"Livin' on Lies" (7A Records, 2016)
  • "Porpoise Song"/"Good Morning Good Morning"/"Crying in the Rain"/"Randy Scouse Git" (7A Records, 2016) – with Christian Nesmith and Circe Link
  • "Sunny Girlfriend"/"Zor and Zam" (Live in Japan, 1982) (7A Records, 2016)

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1967 Good Times Jungle Gino uncredited role
1968 Head Micky uncredited writer
1972 Night of the Strangler Vance
1975 Linda Lovelace for President Lt. Fenwick
1975 Keep Off My Grass! You Know
1993 Deadfall Bart
1999 Invisible Mom II Bernard
2001 Malpractice director
2007 Halloween Derek Allen
2011 Mega Python vs. Gatoroid Himself

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1956–1957 Circus Boy Corky main cast; 49 episodes (as Mickey Braddock)
1958 Zane Grey Theater Ted Matson Episode: "The Vaunted" (as Mickey Braddock)
1959 Playhouse 90 Melvin Episode: "The Velvet Alley" (as Micky Braddock)
1964 Mr. Novak Ed Episode: "Born of Kings and Angels" (as Micky Braddock)
1965 Peyton Place Kitch Brunner 3 episodes
1966–1968 The Monkees Micky / Robot Micky / "Baby Face" Morales main cast; 58 episodes; writer/director – episode: "Mijacogeo"
1966 The Monkees: "I'm a Believer" Micky Dolenz music video
1967 The Monkees: "Daydream Believer" Micky Dolenz music video
1969 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee Micky Dolenz Television film
1969 The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour Micky Dolenz Episode: "Jeannie C. Riley & The Monkees"; guest performer
1969 Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In Micky Dolenz Episode #3.4; guest performer
1972 The Funky Phantom Skip Gilroy Voice; 17 episodes
1972 My Three Sons John Simpson / Brian Lipsker Episode: "Barbara Lost"
1972 Adam-12 Oiler Episode: "Dirt Duel"
1972 Cannon Cappy Episode: "Bitter Legion"
1973 Butch Cassidy and the Sun Dance Kids Wally Voice
1973 Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law Rick Schenk Episode: "The Camerons Are a Special Clan"
1974 Partridge Family 2200 A.D. Voice
1974 These Are the Days Voice
1975 Devlin Tod Devlin Voice
1976 The Scooby-Doo Show Alex Super Voice; episode: "Mamba Wamba & the Voodoo Hoodoo"
1977 Wonder Wheels Willie Wheeler Voice
1977–1980 Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels Additional voices 38 episodes
1979 Pop Gospel director; 7 episodes
1979 Premiere director – episode: "Story Without a Hero"
1980–1983 Metal Mickey producer, 39 episodes (as Michael Dolenz); director, 21 episodes (as Michael Dolenz)
1981 The Box Short; writer/director (as Michael Dolenz)
1981 Gateway to the South Short; director (as Michael Dolenz)
1982 Murphy's Mob director
1983 No Problem! producer; director, 6 episodes
1983 For 4 Tonight producer, 6 episodes; director, 6 episodes
1983–1984 Luna creator/writer, 12 episodes; producer, 12 episodes; director, 3 episodes (as Michael Dolenz)
1985 Television Parts Television film, also director
1985 From the Top producer, 6 episodes; composer, 12 episodes
1986 The Monkees: "That Was Then, This Is Now" Micky Dolenz music video
1987 The New Mike Hammer Scott Warren Episode: "Deadly Collection"
1987 The Monkees: "Heart and Soul" Micky Dolenz music video
1988 The Monkees: "Every Step of the Way" Micky Dolenz music video
1990 Aladdin Television film; director
1992 Batman: The Animated Series Min / Max Voice; episode: "Two-Face Part II"
1992 The Ben Stiller Show Josh Goldsilver Episode: "With Rob Morrow"
1994 Monty Eli Campbell Episode: "My Dad Could Beat Up Your Dad"
1995 Aaahh!!! Real Monsters Jed / Kilowog Voice; episode: "Simon Strikes Back/The Ickis Box"
1994–1995 The Tick Arthur / Arthur Clone / Captain Lemming Voice; 13 episodes
1994–1995 Boy Meets World Gordy / Norm 2 episodes; director, 2 episodes
1996 Pacific Blue Mayor Micky Dolenz 2 episodes; director – episode: "Moving Target"
1996 PJ & Duncan: "Stepping Stone" Motorist music video
1997 Hey, Hey, It's the Monkees Micky Television film; also executive producer
1997 The Wonderful World of Disney Donny Shotz Episode: "The Love Bug"
1998–1999 The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs Ralph / Scribble Voice
2001 The Drew Carey Show Mr. Metcalf Episode: "Drew and the King"
2002 As the World Turns The Vicar Episode #1.11769
2011 Mega Python vs. Gatoroid Micky Dolenz Television film
2015 Bagboy Micky Dolenz Television film; uncredited
2017 Mighty Magiswords Wendell the Love Grub Voice; episode: "The Saga of Robopiggeh!"
2017 Difficult People Micky Dolenz Episode: "Fuzz Buddies"

Stage

  • 1977–1978: The Point!, Mermaid Theatre, London, England (Role: Count's Kid / The Leafman)
  • 1983: Bugsy Malone, Her Majesty's Theatre, London, England (director)
  • 1994–1998: Grease, Eugene O'Neill Theatre, NYC (Role: Vince Fontaine – replacement)
  • 2004: Aida, Palace Theatre, NYC (Role: Zoser – replacement)
  • 2006: Pippin, Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, Connecticut (Role: Charlemagne)
  • 2010: Hairspray, Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin, Ireland (Role: Wilbur Turnblad – alternate)

References

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  2. Rocca, Jane (December 1, 2018). "Micky Dolenz on his career, marriages and raising daughters". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  3. Girouard, Bob (December 15, 2011). "Micky Dolenz | Modern Drummer Magazine". Modern Drummer Magazine. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  4. Matt Messina, "Western on NBC Agenda," New York Daily News, June 7, 1966, p. 69.
  5. Finn, Robin (2005). "An Ex-Monkee and 'Major Geek' Takes the Mike". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  6. "May 17 1965, Moog introduces the first analog synthesizer". Creative Audio Works, LLC. May 17, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
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  8. Jones, Kenneth (July 14, 2006). "New Pippin Finds Corner of the Sky in CT, With Mickey Dolenz". Playbill. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  9. "TV Shows On DVD". Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  10. "bcdb.com". bcdb.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  11. ^ "Welcome to...Time Travel Is Possible". Timetravelispossible.com. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  12. MeTV Staff (February 28, 2019). "Micky and Michael from the Monkees were both nearly cast as the Fonz on Happy Days". MeTV. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  13. "Linda Lovelace For President (1975) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  14. "Syfy Adds a Monkee to Debbie Gibson-Tiffany Movie". TV Guide.
  15. "TV: The Monkees Mickey Dolenz Joins Debbie Gibson-vs.-Tiffany in 'Mega Python vs. Gatoroid'". Bloody-disgusting.com. July 14, 2010. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  16. Roush, Matt (September 5, 2017). "What's On: 'American Horror Story' goes 'Cult,' Catching the 'Unabomber,' 'Difficult People' Monkees Around". TV Insider. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  17. "BBC – Comedy – Shows A-Z Index". Archived from the original on July 2, 2007. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  18. "Opening sequence of Luna". YouTube. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  19. "RPM Top 100 Singles - September 6, 1986" (PDF).
  20. "Wcbs Monkees With Morning Slot". Daily News. New York. December 8, 2004.
  21. "Greener fields for Greenfield". New York Daily News. February 1, 2008. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  22. "Monkees announce 10-date concert tour". United Press International. February 21, 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
  23. "Monkees Tour: Band Announces First Concert Run Since Davy Jones' Death". Huffington Post. August 8, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
  24. Reed, Ryan (March 26, 2014). "The Monkees to Monkey Around the U.S. This Summer". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  25. Greene, Andy (February 20, 2018). "Monkees' Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith Announce First Tour as Duo". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  26. Corcoran, Nina (May 3, 2021). "The Monkees Announce 2021 Farewell Tour". consequence.net. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  27. Amorosi, A. D. (May 21, 2021). "Micky Dolenz on Why the Monkees Are Doing a Farewell Tour and His New 'Dolenz Sings Nesmith' Album". Variety. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  28. Gustafson, Hana (September 15, 2023). "The Monkees' Micky Dolenz Announces R.E.M. Covers EP, Shares "Shiny Happy People"". Jambands. Relix Media Group, LLC. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  29. ^ "Micky Dolenz – Dolenz Sings R.E.M. | Welcome to 7a Records". 7a Records. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  30. "Dolenz, Rundgren, Molland Begin Beatles Tribute Tour". Best Classic Bands. July 30, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  31. "Obituary of Samantha Juste". Daily Telegraph. February 10, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  32. Whitburn, Joel (2015). The Comparison Book Billboard/Cash Box/Record World 1954–1982. Sheridan Books. p. 149. ISBN 978-0-89820-213-7.
  33. "RPM Top 100 Singles - April 1, 1967".
  34. ^ "Micky Dolenz (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 21, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.

Further reading

  • Dye, David. Child and Youth Actors: Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914–1985. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 1988, p. 24.

External links

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Box sets
Compilation
albums
Live albums
Singles
Film/television
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