As initially previewed on my HouseoftheHits.com all-music blog post of August 24th, the most recent incarnation of mid-60’s pop sensations, The Monkees, played their first of two shows in the UK on Friday night (9/4) at London’s Hammersmith Apollo.
Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork now perform as a duo – Davy Jones passed away in 2012 and Michael Nesmith gave up touring long ago.
Monkees’ records once outsold those by both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, which, in tandem with the success of their 18-month run of their NBC-TV series, The Monkees, launched the band to instant stardom.
Micky Dolenz (L) and Peter Tork perform at Hammersmith Apollo, September 4, 2015
(Credit: Amanda Cunningham/BearlyFamous)
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Last night’s performance was a spirited, fun show, according to the concert review today in the London newspaper The Telegraph.
On behalf of the foursome, Dolenz-Tork delivered all of their hits, which include the band’s six million-selling singles – (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone, Pleasant Valley Sunday, Valleri, Last Train To Clarksville, I’m A Believer and A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You (the latter three reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100).
Also, as anticipated, the duo delved into lesser-known material (except to hardcore fans) which included Porpoise Song, a track from their 1968 psychedelic cult comedy film Head.
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Dolenz-Tork now ‘head’ to Birmingham for a performance at the Moseley Folk Festival 2015 on Sunday (9/6).
Dolenz, 70, recently enjoyed successful performances at New York City’s 54 Below – with another couple of dates set for late September at the Broadway supper club.
Tork, 73, is now based in Connecticut, where he performs with his own blues band.
