The most amazing thing about the pop phenomenon band of the 1960’s The Monkees was that they were formed solely for the purpose of a television show. Micky Dolenz for example couldn’t even play the drums and was subjected to intensive training so he could even ‘mime’ the activity sufficently. From the popularity of the show in which the actors were only playing rock stars, they actually ended up becoming rocks stars, producing several acclaimed albums including the amazing Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.
Four of the albums from 1966-68 actually topped the charts at #1, with a fifth reaching number three. It was only their decline in the very late 60’s and early 70’s that kept them from achieving the popularity of the Beatles. Nevertheless, as chart-topping contemporaries of the Beatles, I found it amazing that I was able to meet one of the Monkees at the Fall Hollywood Collectors Show on October 4, 2008.
Although I have heard an uncomfirmed story from a friend that Mickey Dolenz had actually served as their limosuine drive a few years ago, claiming to not get any residuals from his work in The Monkees, I still was amazed to see this celebrity selling his autograph at a show such as this. Don’t get me wrong: I’m very grateful that he was. I was glad to plunk down $20 for the signed a photo and an additional $10 to get a photograph with him.
Micky has done other things since the Monkees, including numerous voice-overs, directing, auditioning (he was considered for the role of Fonzie in Happy Days), numerous musical projects, and acting (most recently he appeared in Rob Zombie’s Halloween) – but frankly I was just amazed to be standing in the presence of one of the original Monkees, whose TV series and music I still love.
Celebrities and autographs from the 2008 Hollywood Collectors Show will continue…
I’m pretty sure he performed on our cruise ship about 4 years ago. It was definitely one of the Monkeys. We didn’t go see him though.
Darlene
April 14th, 2009
So, you paid $10 and got your picture taken with Ed?
Dad
April 14th, 2009
His eyes, eyebrows, and nose look like Ed, but he doesn’t have Ed’s fantastic dimples or his beard. Good observation though!
Bev
April 14th, 2009
Dad usually charges me $20 to get a picture with him. $30 to include the dimples and beard.
Chris
April 15th, 2009
The title of this posting just wouldn’t have sounded as appealing if it had been “Hey Hey It’s Ed!”
Brad
April 15th, 2009