Hey, hey, we're the Monkees! (Tork in concert)

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Wed May 09, 2007 11:57 am

I have generally made it a practice to never severely criticize any performer in public (online). I might review a concert and say I was disappointed in the song selection (Clapton) or say the artist looked old or ill (Winter). But I don’t think I’ve ever said an artist was actually gosh darn awful. Until now.

[Preface: If you are related to or good friends with the following artist in question, I offer my sincere apologies in advance.]

Last week and I went to see Peter Tork. He and the band were horrendous. Worse than any bar band I’ve ever seen. They can’t play and they can’t sing. (OK, the drummer wasn’t too bad.) I, and everyone at my table were embarrassed (and very disappointed).

I wasn’t expecting a Monkees oldies show. I knew in advance that Tork’s band mostly plays a sort of rock/R&B kind of thing. They just happened to be terrible.

One song was supposed to “feature’ the “lead” guitar player. He tried to sing Big Boss Man. It seemed like he either forgot the lyrics or the melody or both. He also kept fumbling with his guitar throughout the song trying (in vain) to play it. I swear it looked like a scene out of Spinal Tap and it was (unintentionally) hilarious. It turns out that the amp was either not plugged in or not turned on. I kid you not. That was about the tone of the entire show.

And to top it off?

He had a (very bad) somewhat unattractive belly dancer “dancing” on stage during several of the numbers. Including a 1950s era “fan dance” during one of the Monkees songs.

Remember the “rumors” that the Monkees did not actually play on their records?
Now I know why.

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Wed May 09, 2007 3:35 pm

That is really sad Mark...

Davey Jones lives a few minutes from my house and I've run into him a few times at a local pub and dinning establishment.

He is always very cordial but his girl friend is quite NASTY. He does a lot for charity locally but he has NEVER, EVER mentioned singing again.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed May 09, 2007 3:49 pm

I've never met Mike Nesmith, but his musical journeys and interludes never fail to touch, entertain, and bring on a case of the chuckles. His video record, "Elephant Parts" (1980, I believe) is sitting on my shelf in BETA, VHS, and now DVD (the 17 1/2th Anniversary Edition) and won the first Grammy for a Rock Video.

My youngest daughter, Juliana, is named after a lovely ballad on his 1992 album, "Tropical Campfires".

As far as I can see, Mike breaks the "rich kid" mold. He didn't have to work, or learn, or be creative, but he did it all, and well.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Wed May 09, 2007 5:06 pm

Glad you mentioned him Paul. I have seen glimpses over the years, and it seemed he was doin allright.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Wed May 09, 2007 5:24 pm

+1 on Mike. Elephant Parts was hilarious, very forward-thinking, and good.

Nachos, we don' need no steenkin' nachos!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed May 09, 2007 5:37 pm

The few, the proud...the Marines...

It was good for me, was it good for you, too?

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Wed May 09, 2007 5:41 pm

So many great skits amongst the music.

It has been over 15 years since I've seen that one. I need to find a copy.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Thu May 10, 2007 4:33 am

Mike has been on the cutting edge of often. His web site is very cool...can't remember it now, sorry!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Thu May 10, 2007 6:11 am

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Thu May 10, 2007 10:30 am

Very good John B! Funny!

But did his mother really get rich rich from the sale?
And how old was Mike at the time?

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Thu May 10, 2007 10:35 am

She became a multi-millionaire, I believe.

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Thu May 10, 2007 11:15 am

Well, according to Wikipedia, she didn't sell the company until 1979:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_Paper

Well after Michael had grown up. So I'm not so sure about the "rich kid" label.

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Thu May 10, 2007 3:46 pm

Assuming the Wikipedia entry is correct... her Liquid Paper venture wasn't even "profitable" until 2 years AFTER the Monkees began.

Did the Monkees promote her product back then and help push it into the black? ;-P

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Fri May 11, 2007 2:26 am

My wife's best friend is Tork's tour manager so believe me, I hear ALL the stories.
Tork is way serious about his blues gig and used to almost deny he was ever in The Monkees. Nowadays he's lightened up on that. He's a nice guy most of the time, but used to hate people who would show up at shows expecting a Monkees review.
I FWDed Mark's gig review, I'll let you know if he responds.

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Fri May 11, 2007 2:33 am

It just hit me. While I make a living playing Beatles tunes, I rarely listen to them anymore(except to learn new tunes). I'm a much bigger fan of The Rutles. I listen to them a lot, have Rutles posters on the wall, etc. And my wife is a huge Monkees fan(which is how she came to be buds with Tork's tour manager).
Anyway, I just realized we're both bigger fans of "Made for TV" Beatle bands than we are of The Beatles themselves.