Finally, in 1975, Dolenz moved to England, where he worked as a director and producer of television shows for most of the next fifteen years. "I got away from the Monkees thing entirely," he claims. "Whenever anyone would do an article, it didn't start out with `ex-Monkee Micky Dolenz.' It would start out with `producer-director Micky Dolenz.'" His primary Monkee business during this span took place in 1986, when he joined Tork and Jones to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the show's debut. Then & Now...The Best of the Monkees (featuring the minor hit single "That Was Then, This Is Now," newly recorded by the trio) was released and became moderately popular thanks to a splashy U.S. tour. But without Nesmith--author of the Stone Ponies' "Different Drum" and an influential country-rock tunesmith in his own right--the Monkees again faded from sight. So, too, did The New Monkees, a 1987 attempt to revive the concept's original format with new actors; it lasted thirteen weeks and spawned an LP that became a cutout-bin staple within a matter of months.
Upon his return to the States in 1990, Dolenz once again tried to carve out a post-Monkees career for himself--and he's managed it to some degree. He's been in the casts of numerous musical-theater companies, and he's recorded two CDs for children on the Kid Rhino imprint--Micky Dolenz Puts You to Sleep, a collection of lullabies, and Broadway Micky, a compilation of show tunes. "I did a couple of concerts for kids," he notes unenthusiastically. "It was tough. Kids are notorious for not being very focused." He also conducted a solo singing tour. "I sang mostly Monkees stuff, because that's what everyone wants to hear. But given the opportunity, I threw in some rock and roll. It was all right doing it, I guess."
The future projects that have Dolenz most enthused have nothing to do with the Monkees. He reveals that he has two television series "in development" and adds that he may get the chance to direct a feature film this fall. "I don't want to say anything more about it right now--I don't like talking about things unless they happen," he says. There's also another Monkees reunion looming. With 1996 marking thirty years since the birth of The Monkees, even Nesmith has expressed interest in a tour. "I'd like to sing some of his songs with him again," Dolenz says.
Of course, a full-bore Monkees blitz next year will open Dolenz up for more queries about a past in which he dislikes wallowing. Will this prospect prevent Dolenz from hopping aboard that train--that gravy train--one more time? Not a chance. "I'm a performer," he declares. "That's what I do. And I do think that The Monkees was interesting. Really, it was the first Spinal Tap."
He pauses before noting, "I can really relate to those guys."
KOOL Koncert '95, featuring the Best of the Monkees, with Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz, the Four Tops, Johnny Rivers, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and the KOOL Cats. 3:15 p.m. Saturday, June 10, Mile High Stadium, $12/$7, 832-5665.
