Rant #1,502: Monkee-ing Around

On Saturday night, my family and I attended a show at Westbury Music Fair--they can call it what they want, that is what it is to me--by the legendary Monkees.

It was just two of them this time--Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz--but you know what they say, two Monkees are better than none.

This time, they put on a show in the half round, meaning that half the seats were blocked off, and there was no revolving stage, so wherever you sat, that is what you got.

We were off to the side, so that is the view that we got.

We also got probably the most laid-back Monkees show I have ever seen.

Where once they played a a frenetic pace, this time, it was almost as if they had set up shop in your living room and played their hits, forgotten songs, and album cuts.

And the volume fit the scene, too, very manageable, I must say.

Both Tork and Dolenz looked as relaxed as could be, barely breaking a sweat on songs that they have performed over and over and over since the 1966-1968 heyday of the band.

They did the perfunctory "I'm a Believer," "Pleasant Valley Sunday," and yes, they did "Daydream Believer" sans the departed, but far from forgotten, Davy Jones.

They did plenty of Mike Nesmith numbers, including "The Girl I Knew Somewhere."

They also did some forgotten songs, like "D.W. Washburn," a great tune that pretty much ended the Monkees string of American hits way back when. They rarely perform this song, so hearing it was a treat.

Otherwise, with monitors all about pretty much dispensing the history of the band, the chatter was kept to a minimum this time around, and musicianship was in force.

The duo even did "That Was Then, This Is Now," their hit from 1986, but honestly, most people were there to hear songs like "Last Train to Clarksville" and "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You."

The crowd, which pretty much filled up about 90 percent of the available seats, was very appreciative of the duo and their backup band's efforts, and it was a good time had by all.

What is next for the Monkees, with the 50th anniversary of their debut due next year?

I have a couple of thoughts on this.

First, I think that next year will be the FINAL Monkees tour. I think that whether it will be three or just two, without Davy Jones, it just really isn't the Monkees as we remember them, and once the 50th anniversary is over and done with, that will be that.

That doesn't mean that some conglomeration of Dolenz, Nesmith and Tork won't tour together in the future, it will just mean that they won't do it as the Monkees, per se.

Second, I expect next year to be a big year for Monkeedom. It is starting already, with Dolenz's appearance on "The Tonight Show" later in September.

I think a lot of stuff is going on behind the scenes now, and the three remaining members will be much more high profile in 2016 than in the recent past.

And you never know, they may have worked out something with Jann Wenner to finally get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Anything is possible in 2016.

But right now, if the Monkees sashay into your town on this latest tour, spend the money and take them in.

I don't think you will be disappointed in the least.