Maybe it was the big brown eyes, the shy kid?s smile or the diminutive stature (5-foot-3 and 100 pounds), but Davy Jones was always arguably the first among equals in The Monkees ? certainly as far as making young girls? heart flutter.
As almost any 40-something that grew up in the U.S. knows, The Monkees were the 1960s pop/rock made-for-TV band to counteract the popularity of The Beatles. That might seem odd today, but the band?s records and TV shows boosted the group up the ladder to fame.
“There were a few [incredible] moments,” said Jones. “I really loved filming the episode where we all got to be pirates. Well, all except Mike [Nesmith]. He didn?t show up for work that week.”
Although Jones didn?t detail why Nesmith declined to report to work, one could surmise it was over frustration about the group?s direction. When the four young men were cast in the coveted roles, they were expected to only serve as the “faces” of the band; professional musicians and songwriters would provide the needed musical chops.
While the TV show presented Jones and the other Monkees (Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz) as beach-loving California guys who were always falling in love and bursting into song, things didn?t always go smoothly.
Despite the skirmishes, the band won two Emmy Awards in 1967 (Outstanding Comedy and Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy). By the time the band?s third album, “Headquarters” was released, Jones and his bandmates played their own instruments, much to the delight of the stadium-packing crowds.
The happy ending, of course, is that each member of The Monkees went on to successful careers. At Jones? upcoming show, prepare to hear him sing some classic Monkees? tunes “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” “Daydream Believer” and his own work. Yes, it?s a bit of a trip down Memory Lane, but it also is a surprisingly fresh way to visit it.
IF YOU GO
Davy Jones
Venue: Rams Head on Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis
When: 4:30 p.m. (all ages); 7:30 p.m. (21+), Sunday
Details: $55; 410-547-SEAT
