Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Forget the fact that The Monkees got started as a band that was cast for television, because an astounding 55 years later, the group comprised of Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Davy Jones is sewed into the permanent fabric of American pop culture, while also becoming cool enough to move members of Oasis, Weezer and Death Cab For Cutie.

Granted, singer/drummer Dolenz, 76, and guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Nesmith, 78, are the sole survivors at this point, but the spirits of their late collaborators weren’t any less apparent when the pair and a longtime backing band brought their “Farewell” Tour to Milwaukee’s historic and acoustically rich Riverside Theater, which is committed to COVID-related safety without being cumbersome.

It was certainly bittersweet, especially if the guys aren’t bluffing and this was really the final time through town, but The Monkees nonetheless left few stones unturned throughout two acts and at least a couple dozen tunes.

The opener, “Good Clean Fun,” was a fantastic way to describe the evening of Monkeemania for multiple generations, though the equally light-hearted follow-up, “Last Train To Clarksville,” packed a bit more levity now that the end of the road is imminent.

At least The Monkees made many obligatory and unexpected stops along the way, including “Sunny Girlfriend,” “For Pete’s Sake,” “Love Is Only Sleeping” and the relatively recent “Birth Of An Accidental Hipster,” plus the first half’s finale of early pop perfection, “Pleasant Valley Sunday.”

Dolenz returned to the experimental mindset of “Porpoise Song (Theme From “Head”),” which has steadily become a cult classic, while the Emmy-winners continued to examine the vaults for Nesmith’s “While I Cry” and “Auntie’s Municipal Court,” amongst others.

All the while, the principle players were sturdy in delivery and sunny in disposition, though the mood especially lit up when they got to “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” “Daydream Believer,” “Listen To The Band” and “I’m A Believer.”

In fact, The Monkees could’ve turned even the harshest skeptics to their side by the conclusion of this trip down memory lane, proving that an act could start with a put together premise, but end as a genuine contender for one of the most beloved and noteworthy since the 1960s.

For additional information on The Monkees, visit Monkees.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Riverside Theater include Cody Jinks (Nov. 11); Bert Kreischer (Nov. 14); Chvrches (Nov. 18); Jim Jefferies (Nov. 19); “The Elf On The Shelf”: A Christmas Musical (Nov. 21); Jim Gaffigan (Nov. 24, 26, 27); Bela Fleck (Nov. 29); Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit (Dec. 2); “Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix” In Concert (Dec. 3-5); Trailer Park Boys (Dec. 6), Darren Criss (Dec. 7); A Magical Cirque Christmas (Dec. 8); David Sedaris (Dec. 10); “The Price In Right” Live (Dec. 11); Mannheim Steamroller (Dec. 12); A Motown Christmas (Dec. 17) and Martina McBride Christmas (Dec. 19). For additional details, visit PabstTheaterGroup.com.

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