Micky Dolenz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Micky Dolenz
Micky Dolenz in 2022
Born	George Michael Dolenz Jr. (1945-03-08) March 8, 1945 (age 80) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Mickey Braddock
Occupation	Musician actor singer TV producer businessman
Years active	1956–present
Spouse(s)	Samantha Juste ​ ​ (m. 1968; div. 1975)​ Trina Dow ​ ​ (m. 1977; div. 1991)​ Donna Quinter ​ (m. 2002)​
Children	4, including Ami
Parent(s)	George Dolenz Janelle Johnson
Musical career
Genres	Rock pop pop rock psychedelic rock
Instruments	Vocals drums guitar keyboards

George Michael Dolenz Jr. (born March 8, 1945) is an American musician and actor. He is best known as the drummer and one of the main singers for the pop rock band The Monkees. He was also a co-star in The Monkees TV show from 1966 to 1968. Micky Dolenz is the last living member of the band.

Micky Dolenz's Early Life and Career

Micky Dolenz was born in Los Angeles, California. His parents, George Dolenz and Janelle Johnson, were both actors. He has three sisters: Gemma Marie (called "Coco"), Deborah, and Kathleen ("Gina"). Coco often visited the set of The Monkees TV show. She sometimes sang background vocals for the band. She also performs with Micky's band during his concerts.

When Micky was a child, he had a hip problem called Perthes disease. This made his right leg weaker and shorter. Because of this, he learned to play drums in a special way. He used his right hand for drumming and his left foot for the pedals.

Starting Out as Circus Boy

Micky Dolenz as Corky in Circus Boy

Micky started acting in 1956. He starred in a children's TV show called Circus Boy. He used the name Mickey Braddock for this role. He played Corky, a boy who took care of elephants in a circus. The show lasted for two years. After Circus Boy, Micky appeared in other TV shows. He also focused on his education. He graduated from Ulysses S. Grant High School in 1962. Later, he was attending college when he got the role of the drummer in The Monkees.

Micky's Musical Beginnings

Before The Monkees, Micky Dolenz had his own rock band. It was called "Micky and the One-Nighters." He was the lead singer and wrote his own songs. His band played rock, cover songs, and R&B music. One of his favorite songs to sing was "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry. He sang this song at his audition for The Monkees. This helped him get hired for the show and the band.

Joining The Monkees Band

Micky Dolenz at a Monkees photoshoot in 1966

In 1965, Micky was chosen for the TV show The Monkees. He became the drummer and a lead singer for the band created for the show. He wasn't a real drummer at first. He had to take lessons to learn how to play. By the time The Monkees went on tour in late 1966, Micky was good enough to play the drums himself.

The writers of many Monkees songs, Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, noticed something funny. When the four actors were together in the studio, they would try to make each other laugh. So, the writers often recorded each singer alone.

Michael Nesmith, another member of The Monkees, said that Micky's voice made the band's sound special. Micky sang lead on many hit songs. These include "Last Train to Clarksville", "Pleasant Valley Sunday", and "I'm a Believer". Micky also helped direct and write the very last episode of the show.

Micky Dolenz bought one of the first Moog synthesizers ever sold. He used it on the Monkees' song "Daily Nightly." This was one of the first times a synthesizer was used in a rock song. He later sold his synthesizer to Bobby Sherman.

Micky is the only member of The Monkees who was part of every band lineup. He is also the only one who sang on all their studio albums. He is the last surviving member of the band. Davy Jones passed away in 2012, Peter Tork in 2019, and Michael Nesmith in 2021.

Solo Music and Other Projects

After The Monkees, Micky continued to make music. He used his Moog synthesizer to write a song called "Easy on You" in 1971. He recorded it in his home studio. He played acoustic guitar and drums, and used the Moog like a keyboard. He then invited Peter Tork to help with more recordings. Micky signed a deal with MGM Records and released songs for about three years.

Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart Group

In the mid-1970s, old episodes of The Monkees became popular again on TV. This led to a renewed interest in the band's music. Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones teamed up with songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. They toured the United States from 1975 to 1977. They called their show "The Golden Hits of The Monkees." They performed in smaller places like state fairs and amusement parks. They also went to Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. They released a new album called Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart.

Stage Performances

Micky Dolenz with a beard for his role as King Charlemagne in Pippin

In 1977, Micky performed with Davy Jones in a musical play. It was called The Point! in London. Their funny acting together was very popular. The show was brought back in 1978 with more comedy and songs.

Micky also directed plays and TV shows in England. From 2006, he played King Charlemagne in the musical Pippin. He also played the role of Zoser in the Broadway musical Aida.

Micky's TV and Film Roles

After The Monkees TV show ended, Micky Dolenz continued acting. He did many voice-overs for Saturday morning cartoons. Some of these include The Funky Phantom, The Scooby-Doo Show, and The Tick. He was also the voice of Snuggle the Fabric Softener Bear for a time.

Micky and Michael Nesmith both tried out for the role of "The Fonz" on Happy Days. But neither of them got the part. They were both taller than the main actor, Ron Howard.

Micky Dolenz in Central Park, New York City, 2007

In 1994 and 1995, Micky appeared in two episodes of the sitcom Boy Meets World. In one episode, he played a bandmate. In another, he joined Davy Jones and Peter Tork. They played different characters but performed classic songs together.

In 2007, Micky appeared in Rob Zombie's remake of the horror film Halloween. He played Derek Allan, a gun shop owner. In 2011, he was in the Syfy Channel movie Mega Python vs. Gatoroid. He played himself alongside Debbie Gibson and Tiffany.

Micky's Work as a Director

In 1980, Micky Dolenz produced and directed a British TV show. It was a sitcom called Metal Mickey. It featured a large robot. In the early 1980s, he directed a play based on Bugsy Malone. He was also a producer for the TV show Luna from 1983 to 1984.

The Monkees' Return to Fame

In 1986, the TV channel MTV showed all the episodes of The Monkees. This made the band popular again. They released a new song, "That Was Then, This Is Now." It reached No. 20 on the music charts in the U.S. They also went on a 20th-anniversary tour. Their old albums were reissued and became popular again.

Micky Dolenz performing in 2019

From 1986 onwards, Micky joined the other former Monkees for several reunion tours. He also toured a lot as a solo artist.

Radio Work and Solo Albums

On January 10, 2005, Micky Dolenz became a morning radio host. He worked at the oldies station WCBS-FM in New York. He hosted his 100th show on June 3, 2005. This was also his last regular show there. The station changed its music format. However, WCBS-FM later returned to oldies music. Micky was invited back in 2008 to host a special show.

In 2009, Micky recorded an album of songs by Carole King. It was called King for a Day. In 2011, he reunited with Peter Tork and Davy Jones for "The 45th Anniversary Tour."

After Davy Jones passed away in 2012, Micky and Peter Tork toured with Michael Nesmith. They did a 12-concert tour as a tribute to Davy. The three remaining Monkees toured again in 2013 and 2014. Micky then toured as a duo with Peter Tork in 2015 and 2016.

After Peter Tork's death in 2019, Micky toured with Michael Nesmith. Their show was called "The Mike and Micky Show." On May 4, 2021, Micky and Michael announced "The Monkees Farewell Tour." This was the group's last tour. The final show was on November 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.

On May 21, 2021, Micky released a solo album called Dolenz Sings Nesmith. It featured songs written by Michael Nesmith. In November 2023, Micky released an EP of cover songs by the band R.E.M..

Micky Dolenz's Family Life

Micky Dolenz in 2013

Micky Dolenz has been married three times. He has four daughters. In 1967, he met Samantha Juste while touring in the UK. She was a TV presenter. They married in 1968. Their daughter, Ami Bluebell Dolenz, was born in 1969. Ami later became an actress. Micky and Samantha divorced in 1975. They remained good friends until her death in 2014.

He married Trina Dow in 1977. They had three daughters: Charlotte Janelle (born 1981), Emily Claire (born 1983), and Georgia Rose (born 1984). They divorced in 1991.

Micky married his third wife, Donna Quinter, in 2002.

Micky Dolenz's Music Albums

• Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart (Capitol, 1976) – with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
• Concert in Japan (Capitol, 1976) – live, with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
• The Point! (MCA, 1977) – with the London cast of The Point!
• Micky Dolenz Puts You to Sleep (Kid Rhino, 1991)
• Broadway Micky (Kid Rhino, 1994)
• Demoiselle (self-released, 1998)
• King for a Day (Gigatone, 2010)
• Remember (Robo, 2012)
• A Little Bit Broadway, a Little Bit Rock and Roll (Broadway, 2015) – live
• An Evening With Peter Noone & Micky Dolenz (7A Records, 2016) – spoken word, live
• The MGM Singles Collection – Expanded CD Edition (7A Records, 2016)
• Out of Nowhere (7A Records, 2017)
• Live in Japan (7A Records, 2020)
• Dolenz Sings Nesmith (7A Records, 2021) – produced by Christian Nesmith
• Demoiselle (7A Records, 2022) – expanded deluxe edition
• Dolenz Sings R.E.M. (EP, 7a Records, 2023)

Micky Dolenz's Singles

• "Don't Do It"/"Plastic Symphony III" (Challenge, 1967) (recorded in 1965)
• "Huff Puff"/"Fate (Big Ben)" (Challenge, 1967) (recorded in 1965)
• "Do It in the Name of Love"/"Lady Jane" (Bell, 1971) - with Davy Jones
• "Easy on You"/"Oh Someone" (MGM, 1971)
• "A Lover's Prayer"/"Unattended in the Dungeon" (MGM, 1972)
• "Johnny B. Goode"/"It's Amazing to Me" (Lion, 1972) – with Starship
• "Daybreak"/"Love War" (Romar, 1973)
• "The Buddy Holly Tribute"/"Ooh, She's Young" (Romar, 1974)
• "I Remember the Feeling"/"You and I" (Capitol, 1975) – with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
• "I Love You and I'm Glad That I Said It"/"Saving My Love for You" (Capitol, 1975) – with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart
• "Christmas Is My Time of Year"/"White Christmas" (Harmony, 1976) – with Davy Jones & Peter Tork
• "Lovelight"/"Alicia" (Chrysalis, 1979)
• "To Be or Not to Be"/"Beverly Hills" (JAM, 1981)
• "Tomorrow"/"Fat Sam's Grand Slam" (A&M, 1983) – with the Bugsy Malone Gang
• "Chance of a Lifetime"/"Livin' on Lies" (7A Records, 2016)
• "Porpoise Song"/"Good Morning Good Morning"/"Crying in the Rain"/"Randy Scouse Git" (7A Records, 2016) – with Christian Nesmith and Circe Link
• "Sunny Girlfriend"/"Zor and Zam" (Live in Japan, 1982) (7A Records, 2016)

Micky Dolenz's Film Roles

Micky Dolenz's Television Roles

Micky Dolenz's Stage Work

• 1977–1978: The Point!, Mermaid Theatre, London, England (Role: Count's Kid / The Leafman)
• 1983: Bugsy Malone, Her Majesty's Theatre, London, England (director)
• 1994–1998: Grease, Eugene O'Neill Theatre, NYC (Role: Vince Fontaine – replacement)
• 2004: Aida, Palace Theatre, NYC (Role: Zoser – replacement)
• 2006: Pippin, Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, Connecticut (Role: Charlemagne)
• 2010: Hairspray, Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin, Ireland (Role: Wilbur Turnblad – alternate)

See also

In Spanish: Micky Dolenz para niños