Micky Dolenz was born in Los Angeles on March 8, 1945. His dad, George, had starred in a number of films, and played the title character in the mid-1950s television series The Count of Monte Cristo. Micky first established himself as a performer at age ten when, under the stage name of 'Micky Braddock,' he starred in his first TV series, Circus Boy, which aired from 1956 to 1958. In his teens, Micky guest-starred on a number of television shows. He also learned to play guitar and performed with a number of rock 'n roll bands, including one called The Missing Links. In autumn 1965, Micky was one of 400 applicants who responded to a trade ad announcing auditions for a new TV show about a rock band. Micky auditioned for The Monkees TV show playing Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode," and was chosen along with three other actors - Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork. The Monkees' debut single, "Last Train to Clarksville," featuring Micky on lead vocals, hit the charts September 10, 1966 and rocketed to number one. Two days later, the television show debuted on NBC to great success. The TV ratings remained high for two seasons and Micky and the band starred in their own feature film, Head, a 1968 psychedelic romp co-written by a young Jack Nicholson. The movie is now considered a cult classic. Ultimately, The Monkees achieved their greatest success as recording artists selling in excess of 65 million units and achieving worldwide success. Their first four albums-The Monkees will be released on September 25, 2012. Then, while in New York, preparing for a possible new role in a musical called Garage Band, Davy Jones unexpectedly passed away. With a series of tributes scheduled, one done in early April at B.B. King's in New York, Micky spent the summer of 2012 on a series of solo shows with his band and as part of the 2012 Happy Together Tour. Micky will also record a live album on October 19, 2012, at B.B. King's in NYC; and, will re-group in November with mates Micahel Nesmith and Peter Tork for a series of Monkee-reunion shows.
Auditioned for the role of Fonzie on "Happy Days" .
Member of The Monkees.
He appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song "Voices That Care."
Father, with Samantha Juste , of daughter Ami Dolenz.
Older brother of Coco Dolenz.
Son of Janelle Johnson Dolenz and George Dolenz.
Owned the third Moog Synthesizer ever commercially sold (the first two belonged to Wendy Carlos and Buck Owens ); his performance on The Monkees song "Daily Nightly" was the first use of a synthesizer on a rock recording. He eventually sold his instrument to Bobby Sherman.
Grew up playing guitar; had taken some lessons at the suggestion of "Circus Boy" s producers in the 1950s. In his teens, Dolenz played guitar and sang in a series of cover bands, with names like "Micky and the One-Nighters" and "The Missing Links" (!). One of these bands was signed to a record company and made some demos, which were released as singles (under his own name) after The Monkees became popular.
When chosen for the role of The Monkees drummer, he signed up for daily drum lessons in order to fake playing them well enough for the cameras. When being able to actually play became crucial to the Monkees project, he had gotten to the point where he could carry off a stage show, but playing drums and holding tempo proved difficult in the recording studio. He played drums on every track of their "Headquarters" album, but gladly relinquished the role to studio drummers for their later albums.
Enjoyed crafts, hobbies and building things - including a Gyrocopter (sold as a kit in the 1960s and 70s) in his living room, but had to have a wall torn out to take it outside.
Received his draft notice for the U.S. Army in 1967 (as did Davy Jones ); despite medical grounds for deferment (trouble with Perthese disease since childhood left him with one leg shorter than the other), Dolenz was told, "Dont worry, well only make you fight on hillsides." He was eventually excused from military service for being underweight, when he went for his physical (Jones was also excused, as his familys only source of support).
Married Samantha Juste of Britains "Top of the Pops" fame in the summer of 1968, after she became pregnant with their daughter Ami Dolenz. His stepfather, Dr. Robert Scott, a minister, conducted the ceremony at their Los Angeles home. Unlike Davy Jones , who had to keep his marriage a secret, he decided to share the news of his wedding with the public.
Continued singing on records after "The Monkees" ended, with a series of singles contracts for labels like MGM; many of the records were made at his own home studio. While they usually found critical praise, none became hits. Dolenz also found work doing voiceovers for cartoons, like "The Funky Phantom" and "Devlin" .
Dolenz and first wife Samantha Juste became famous for their large, sometimes wild house parties with lots of celebrities attending; Dolenz occasional excesses with alcohol and drugs (during his early 70s career slump) was a factor in their marriage breaking up, as she wanted their daughter Ami Dolenz to have a stable home life.
Renewed his friendship with singer/songwriter Harry Nilsson , whod written for The Monkees , in the mid-1970s; Dolenz occasionally joined Nilsson and John Lennon in their legendary "nights out" (which sometimes lasted several days). Later Dolenz and Davy Jones appeared on the London stage in an adaptation of Nilssons The Point .
After "The Point!" Dolenz found work in England producing television programs for the BBC (using "The Monkees" final episode, which hed directed and co-written, as his demo reel). Aside from the occasional business or family trip back (and also a few celebrity tennis matches), Dolenz didnt return to the U.S. for the next 15 years.
Quit the re-formed The Monkees briefly at the end of the 1980s, citing problems with clashing egos and ideas, but returned for their next tour.
Played the drums using a left-handed setup (bass drum on the left, hi-hat and snare drum on the right) even though he is right-handed.
Dolenzs hair was naturally wavy. On "Circus Boy" , his hair was chemically straightened and dyed blond. During the first season of "The Monkees" , he would straighten his hair by brushing it while damp until dry, and would wear a hair net in between takes. By the second season, he let his hair go natural, and shortly into the second season filming, when the group adopted a hippie look, had a permanent to get a curly "Afro" look.
Fared best of all The Monkees when it came to their royalty payments. While Peter Tork gave most of his money away, Davy Jones lost most of his in bad investments and Michael Nesmith spent his on family luxuries and artistic projects, Dolenz trusted his mother Janelle Johnson Dolenz to handle his money, which she invested carefully in "safe" stocks and holdings.
He was the morning radio deejay on New York Citys Oldies Station WCBS FM.
The song "Hey Mickey" by Toni Basil in the 80s was about the only "Mickey" she knew--Dolenz. Toni choreographed The Monkees movie Head and was in the movie dancing with Davy Jones in the Daddys Song scene. She went on to appear in Easy Rider (which involved Jack Nicholson and Bert Schneider , who were a big part of "Head").
He was released with all the other disc jockeys in June 2005 from New York Citys WCBS-FM, due to a format change.
Born in the same hospital as Liza Minnelli , Natalie Cole , and Desi Arnaz Jr..
Owns and rides a 1967 Triumph Bonneville motorcycle.
The Monkees were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6675 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
He and Samantha Juste remain extremely close friends.
In early pre-production of Batman Forever , when Tim Burton was still attached to direct, Dolenz was considered to play the Riddler. The Monkee Business Fanzine headed up a petition drive to support the choice, and reported Dolenz had a screen test before Burton left the project.
Father-in-law of Jerry Trimble.
(January 2005) The new Morning drive radio host on New York Oldies Staion WCBS- FM 101.1.
(May 2004) Currently on Broadway with Elton John s "Aida" until September 2004 (began in January 2004)
(December 2010) In UK on tour in Hairspray as Wilbur Turnblad
(April 2003) Currently on tour with Elton John s "Aida".
