LOS ANGELES — When Micky Dolenz returns to the Philadelphia area to perform on Sunday, April 12 at the newly restored Lansdowne Theater in Delaware County, it won’t feel like a stop on the road, it will feel like coming home.
“My wife is from Philly,” Dolenz said with a laugh, during an exclusive interview this week. “I’ve been going back and forth for about 30 years … I love the area.”
Now 81, the lead singer and last member of the iconic band, The Monkees, is once again hitting the stage in the “60 Years Of The Monkees Tour,” bringing with him not only decades of music but a renewed appreciation for a career that continues to resonate across generations.
TV show became a phenomenon
More than a half century after its debut, Dolenz is still clarifying what many fans misunderstand about The Monkees.
“The biggest misconception,” he explained in an interview this week, “is that The Monkees started as a band. The truth is that it began as a television show about a band.”
Created in the 1960s as a musical comedy series, the show followed four young men chasing fame. Unlike traditional bands that formed organically, Dolenz emphasized that the group was cast for television, though musical ability was still essential.
“You had to sing and play to get the part,” he said, when reflecting back on how he originally landed his role on the show. “My audition piece was ‘Johnny B. Goode’ on guitar.”
Micky Dolenz, of The Monkees, saved many pieces of memorabilia from the band’s heyday, including the original ad that advertised auditions for the show. Dolenz answered the ad, auditioned, and the rest is history. He is still rocking the house with his performances at 81-years-old. (COURTESY OF DIS COMPANY)
Long before The Monkees, Dolenz was already a familiar face on television. As a child actor, he starred in the NBC series “Circus Boy,” giving him a decade of experience in the industry before landing his breakout role.
Over the years, he has also worked behind the camera, directing and producing television, particularly in the United Kingdom.
Dolenz began taking classical guitar lessons at age 12 and played in cover bands as a teenager and young adult. He was studying to be an architect in college when he landed the now-famous role on “The Monkees” show.
“The audition was heavy on improvisation,” Dolenz remembered. “They were looking for four different types of guys for the characters, but they needed to see chemistry between them, too.”
From there, something unexpected happened. What began as a scripted show evolved into a real-life musical success story. Fans began to realize early on that the four comical young men on the show had true musical and vocal talents.
“Mike Nesmith once said that when we first played live, that’s when Pinocchio became a real boy,” Dolenz recalled.
Teen idol to enduring influence
At the height of their popularity, The Monkees achieved a feat that still stands: four albums reaching No. 1 on the charts over a single year: “The Monkees” (1966); “More of The Monkees” (1967); “Headquarters” (1967); and “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones, LTD.” (1967). The albums launched three No. 1 singles: “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer,” both with lead vocals by Dolenz, and “Daydream Believer.” Dolenz credits that success largely to the legendary songwriters behind their music.
“We had Carole King, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka, Boyce and Hart … incredible writers,” he said. “Those people don’t write many bad songs.”
The group’s influence extended far beyond their own era. Dolenz pointed to praise from icons like John Lennon, who once compared The Monkees to the Marx Brothers.
“He got it,” Dolenz said. “That’s exactly what it was: a half-hour Marx Brothers episode on television.”
That blend of humor and music is part of what keeps the show and songs relevant today.
“The show wasn’t topical,” Dolenz explained. “You don’t need to know what was going on in the world at the time to enjoy it. It’s just funny, and the music is timeless.”
When asked during a recent interview, what legacy he hopes to leave behind, Micky Dolenz answered, “Memories of great music and a lot of fun.” (COURTESY OF DIS COMPANY)
Life on stage in 2026
Dolenz continues to tour extensively, with more than 50 cities on his current “60 Years Of The Monkees Tour,” marking roughly six decades since The Monkees first captured audiences.
His current show offers something unique: A chronological journey through the band’s catalog, as well as some contemporary music.
“We’re doing the hits in chronological order,” he said. “It has turned out to be really interesting. The audience kind of comes along with us on the journey.”
Fans can also expect a multimedia experience, with vintage clips, photos and video montages woven throughout the performance.
Dolenz’s genre spans pop and rock, ensuring fans will enjoy a night filled with beloved classics and new interpretations. His seven-piece band includes his sister, Coco, who joins him on stage for duets and harmonies.
“It’s like they never left,” Dolenz said of his late bandmates: Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith. “I’m still singing the songs, and they’re still there in the show.”
Although he has been performing solo for many years now, Dolenz said that going on stage without the other Monkees still carries an emotional weight.
“It’s always difficult,” he admitted. “But in a funny way, they’re still with me.”
“The Monkees” television show featured, clockwise from top left, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Davy Jones. Dolenz, who will perform at the newly restored Lansdowne Theater on April 12, is the last remaining member of the iconic 1960’s quartet. (COURTESY OF DIS COMPANY)
Music, family and moving forward
Offstage, Dolenz, who lives in Los Angeles, leads a relatively private life, with wife, Donna, four children and four grandchildren.
“I tend to keep that side a bit private,” Dolenz said, noting that while he appreciates social media, he prefers not to share too much personal detail.
On tour, he focuses on staying healthy and maintaining the energy needed to perform.
“I pace myself,” he shared. “I don’t usually do two shows in a row. I take care of myself, go to the gym, eat as well as I can.”
A legacy of joy
Asked what legacy he hopes to leave behind, Dolenz didn’t hesitate.
“Memories of great music and a lot of fun,” he said. “The music is the most lasting thing.”
And for fans, both those who grew up during the Monkees’ heyday and younger generations discovering the songs for the first time, that legacy continues to strike a chord.
“The music still works today,” Dolenz said. “That’s the key.”
As he prepares to return once again to the Philadelphia area, one thing is clear: the songs, the laughter and the spirit of The Monkees are still very much alive.
About the show
Lansdowne Theater, 7 p.m. Sunday, April 12
Contact BRE Presents at 856-429-6100 to purchase by phone, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit http://brepresents.com or http://thelansdownetheater.com.
The doors will open on the evening of the concert at 6 p.m.
The Lansdowne Theater is at 31 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne.
Entertainer Micky Dolenz will grace the stage of the Lansdowne Theater on Sunday evening, April 12, performing a captivating set that celebrates his rich musical legacy. Known for being the lead singer of the iconic band The Monkees, Dolenz’s genre spans pop and rock, ensuring fans will enjoy a night filled with beloved classics of The Monkees and new interpretations. (COURTESY OF DIS COMPANY)