Monkees guitarist and member Michael Nesmith has passed away at the age of 78 due to heart failure. He and Micky Dolenz recently embarked and completed the Monkees Farewell Tour. Born in Texas, he was he son of Liquid Paper inventor Betty Nesmith-Graham. Mike developed an interest in music that led to a career and went under the name Michael Blessing where he had a recording deal that led to one of the songs, New Recruit. After changing his name back, he auditioned for and booked the TV show The Monkees with Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork. Matter of fact, Mike and Davy share the same birthday of December 30.
It was the Monkees that put Mike on the map, where he turned out several hits such as You May Be The One, What Am I Doing Hanging Around, and Listen To The Band. It was his infamous behind the scenes incident with Don Kirshner where he punched through the wall that led to the Monkees’ album Headquarters where the group had complete control. After the Monkees ended their run in 1968, Nesmith became a renaissance man.
Mike opened his production company called Video Ranch and resumed his solo career with hits such as Rio and Cruisin. He also helped invent MTV, where music artists would do promo films or videos of their singles hits. Over the years, Nesmith has shunned Monkees reunions until 1986 when he reunited with Micky, Davy, and Peter for the 20th Anniversary. He also attended the group’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony that year.
The Monkees reunited as a foursome in 1996 to do the 30th anniversary album Justuis in the same manner as Headquarters and did a TV special called Hey, Hey, It’s the Monkees. They also did a documentary for Rhino. The group embarked on a tour for Justus until Nesmith left once more in 1997. It would be the group’s final reunion until Davy Jones’ passing in 2012. From 2013 until this year, Mike has toured with the Monkees.
The Monkees did the final few albums with the Top 10 50th Anniversary album Good Times and Christmas Party. After Peter Tork’s passing in 2019, Mike and Micky toured together under the Monkees Presents moniker, where they also put out a live album. They recently completed the group’s farewell tour for their 55th Anniversary.
Mike Nesmith’s contributions to the music and television industry are cemented forever. He is survived by his three children who are all musicians in their own right. Mike Nesmith will be missed by all.
Van's Inner Universe 
Leave a comment