14 March 2023 , 19:29
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Pop legend Mickey Dolenz can be forgiven for asking himself some philosophical questions as he heads out on tour as the last living member of The Monkees.
At the age of 78, and the only one of the Monkees still alive, he’ll being playing the band’s hits and 1967 album Headquarters in its entirety.
He acknowledges it’s keeping the band’s legacy alive, but it also comes with a big Why.
He says: “I’m not necessarily a spiritual person, but I am a philosophic person.
“It’s sort of a ‘Why me?’ to the universe... It’ll remain unanswered. But I am trying to uphold the legacy. It’s also my job.”
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Drummer and singer Micky, 78, said: “It is weird being the last man standing.”
The Monkees in their heyday (Getty Images)The Monkees – whose songs include Daydream Believer, Last Train to Clarksville and I’m a Believer – also comprised Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith.
Michael died aged 78 in 2021, a month after he and Micky were on tour. Micky said: “I wish Nesmith would have been around long enough to [be on the new tour performing] this album, which he was so responsible for putting together.”
Formed in Los Angeles in 1966, The Monkees had their own sitcom for three years and a host of huge hits before splitting in 1970 then getting back together several times over the decades.
Davy, the only Brit in the group, died aged 66 in 2012. Peter died at 77 in 2019. Michael’s health was in serious decline during the 2021 tour.
Dolenz says he is proud to keep the band's legacy going (Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)
Dolenz is shocked to be the last living member of the group (Getty Images)Micky told Rolling Stone magazine: “We were all obviously supporting him... It was so apparent he had health issues.
“He had them for a few years. We were getting more and more worried. He was not forced in any way, obviously.
“At times, I was like, ‘Nez, are you sure you want to do this? Let’s take some time off’. ‘No! I’m going to get through it’.
“Looking back, I think he saw the writing on the wall.
“He was a very private person. He didn’t talk about it. Every once in a while he made a joke about it to me, but I was about the only one he’d even talk to about this.”
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The band had a string of hits including Daydream Believer (NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)Micky’s 25-date North America tour launches on April 1 in Orlando, Florida.
The US star said: “We’ll open with some of the big hits, people love that, and then do Headquarters, and then end with some of the big hits.”
He talked to the Mirror a year ago about making changes as time passes.
He said: “Even before losing Davy, Peter and Nez, I started thinking about my mortality and taking better care of myself – much more attention to my health, exercise and eating and drinking habits.
“Also, now I really savour every day...trying to make the most of every one.”