Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The Monkees may be no more, but original member Micky Dolenz sure did keep the iconic TV stars turned pop/rock group’s spirit alive when he stopped by the packed and beautifully renovated Des Plaines Theatre.

In addition to performing two set’s worth of classics, the singer/percussionist dipped into his “Dolenz Sings Nesmith” solo album, which of course pays tribute to longtime collaborator Michael Nesmith, who passed away shortly after the pair’s 2021 “Farewell” Tour.

Even so, it felt like he, Davy Jones and Peter Tork were all part of the evening, starting with a touching introduction from host/venue owner Ron Onesti, followed by images of everyone flashing on the screen above the survivor, his sister/fellow vocalist Coco and five reverent musicians.

Together, they went back to the early days of “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” moved up to “That Was Then, This Is Now” from the 1980s, but mostly favored grooves straight out of the ‘60s.

Coco took the place of Linda Ronstadt for the Nesmith-penned “Different Drum,” Dolenz did his own “Don’t Do It,” alongside choice covers of The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” a slice of Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” and Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.”

All were sandwiched around remarkable stories, such as visiting The Fab Four when they were recording that very album, having the guitar god as an unlikely opening act and using the rock architect’s top tune to audition for The Monkees.

Other key tracks from those players and the era in general, such as “Last Train To Clarksville,” “Valleri” and Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth,” kept fans sing-a-long, though many rose to their feet and flicked on their phone lights for the sublime “Daydream Believer,” a trend that only picked up come “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and the encore.

In addition to those couple of cheerful hours, local favorites Good Clean Fun opened with members Mike & Traci sharing harmonies, swapping jokes, and most importantly, breaking out acoustic cuts from frequent Monkees writer Neil Diamond, to previous tour mates Herman’s Hermits, all of which warmly complimented the historic headliner.

Click here for more photos of Micky Dolenz at the Des Plaines Theatre.

For additional information on Micky Dolenz and Good Clean Fun, visit MickyDolenz.com and GoodCleanFunBand.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Des Plaines Theatre include American English (Nov. 25); Echoes Of Pompeii (Nov. 26); Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland (Nov. 27); Tammi Savoy (Nov. 26); Leonid & Friends (Dec. 1); Carl Palmer (Dec. 2); Starship and Max Weinberg’s Jukebox (Dec. 3); Glenn Miller Orchestra and Buddy Rich’s Big Band Machine (Dec. 4); SoundTracks Of A Generation: John Lennon (Dec. 7); ARRA (Dec. 9); Classic Rock Experience (Dec. 10); The Ides Of March Christmas Show (Dec. 11); Ambrosia and John Ford Coley (Dec. 16); Top Of The World…A Carpenters Christmas (Dec. 17); Trans Infinity Orchestra (Dec. 18); Ronnie B. Elvis (Dec. 22) and It’s A Motown Christmas (Dec. 23). For additional details, visit DesPlainesTheatre.com.

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