Michael Nesmith, the ‘Quiet Monkee,’ Is Dead at 78

Irwin

Irwin

Well-known Member
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Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
He shot to fame as a member of a made-for-TV rock group, but he denied that he was the group’s only “real” musician. He went on to create some of the first music videos.

Mr. Nesmith was a struggling 23-year-old singer and songwriter when he saw an advertisement in Variety seeking “4 insane boys” for “acting roles in new TV series.” Two aspiring television producers, Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider, inspired by the Beatles’ movies, were hoping to make a TV series about the zany antics of a rock band — not a real rock band (although the Lovin’ Spoonful was briefly considered for the job), but actors with musical backgrounds who could create the illusion of a band.

The four members were picked to fit types. Davy Jones, a British vocalist, was the cute scamp; Micky Dolenz, the drummer, was the wild jokester; and Peter Tork, the bass player, was the lovable dim bulb. Mr. Nesmith, a guitarist, was variously described as the cerebral Monkee, the introspective Monkee, the sardonic Monkee, the quiet Monkee.

“He has that dry Will Rogers sense of humor,” Mr. Dolenz told Rolling Stone in 2012, characterizing Mr. Nesmith’s real persona. “That’s probably one of the reasons they cast him.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/10/arts/music/michael-nesmith-dead.html
 

They were a fun group to watch in action ... loved their shows

Mike-Nesmith-of-The-Monkees-Everett-H-2021.jpg
 
hollydolly said:
Awwww...they were Americas' Fab 4... loved around the world......Davy especially, and died too young... its only 2 years since we lost Peter as well..Only Mickey Left now.. R.I P Mike.. a great talent.

Incidentally did you know Mike's mother was the inventor of the correction fluid Liquid paper ?

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@hollydolly .. yes, Mike's mother popped into my head right away. They were good clean fun to watch.
 
In the 60s, many American bands only "played" their instruments live at concerts. When they made records, they used studio musicians (e.g. the Wrecking Crew).

Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith were both bona fide musicians. Mickey Dolenz could play guitar although he had to learn drums. And both Dolenz and Jones could sing, and pretty well. A lot of the Monkees' songs (often written by people like Carole King and Neil Diamond) hold up surprisingly well today.

RIP Mike, a memory of more innocent days.
 
I was a senior (1966-1967) in college when they first came on the air. My recollection is that the Monkees was the most watched television show during the week by my dorm mates and me.
I attended a retrospective event probably about 5 years ago at the American Music Theater with Micky and Peter, as well as supporting musicians (including Micky's sister). Sure glad that I did!
 
Irwin said:
He shot to fame as a member of a made-for-TV rock group, but he denied that he was the group’s only “real” musician. He went on to create some of the first music videos.

Mr. Nesmith was a struggling 23-year-old singer and songwriter when he saw an advertisement in Variety seeking “4 insane boys” for “acting roles in new TV series.” Two aspiring television producers, Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider, inspired by the Beatles’ movies, were hoping to make a TV series about the zany antics of a rock band — not a real rock band (although the Lovin’ Spoonful was briefly considered for the job), but actors with musical backgrounds who could create the illusion of a band.

The four members were picked to fit types. Davy Jones, a British vocalist, was the cute scamp; Micky Dolenz, the drummer, was the wild jokester; and Peter Tork, the bass player, was the lovable dim bulb. Mr. Nesmith, a guitarist, was variously described as the cerebral Monkee, the introspective Monkee, the sardonic Monkee, the quiet Monkee.

“He has that dry Will Rogers sense of humor,” Mr. Dolenz told Rolling Stone in 2012, characterizing Mr. Nesmith’s real persona. “That’s probably one of the reasons they cast him.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/10/arts/music/michael-nesmith-dead.html
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Oh No! I'm very sad to hear this. Always, he was my favorite;
 
My one nephew used to sing their theme “Hey Hey, We’re the Monkees” at the top of his lungs as a child. Time passed, and he’s now a top corporate lawyer. Doubt that he Monkees around in the board room now.

On route to the beach, the Spousal Equivalent and I would pass an exit for a town called Clarksville, joking whether we could catch the last train to there…

The Monkees left their mark on American culture… 🐒
 
Their show had a way of lifting our spirits.
I miss shows like that. So many of the shows we have now are so dark and violent.
Michael and the whole group were a part of something that took us away to a happier place.

The Monkees - Opening Theme (H.Q)
via @YouTube
 
None of the "Monkees' were hired for their musical talent. The show was just a sitcom. But the guys did have talent. "The Monkees" was geared toward a teen demographic. So, after it ended, I thought the stars would disappear. I was surprised that Nesmith had such a pivotal role in pop music. It's odd that the guy, who was picked for a role in fictional band, wasn't chosen for his musical ability; but then became a major factor in the musical business.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
None of the "Monkees' were hired for their musical talent. The show was just a sitcom. But the guys did have talent. "The Monkees" was geared toward a teen demographic. So, after it ended, I thought the stars would disappear. I was surprised that Nesmith had such a pivotal role in pop music. It's odd that the guy, who was picked for a role in fictional band, wasn't chosen for his musical ability; but then became a major factor in the musical business.
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Plus he also wrote "Different Drum," which seems to have been Linda Ronstadt's start to becoming a star.
 

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