Mike Nesmith Dies at Age 78 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Merry24 · 12-10-2021, 02:53 PM

According to TMZ.

Mike’s songs were my favorite.

stevearino · 12-10-2021, 04:38 PM

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...es-78-rcna8395

It's with great sadness I announce with a Heavy Heart that Mike Nesmith, age 78, died today, December 10, 2021 in Carmel Valley, California of Natural Causes.

Robert Michael "Mike" Nesmith was born on December 30, 1942 in Houston, Texas, the only child of Warren & Bette Nesmith, who divorced when Mike was very young (this according to "The Monkees' E! True Hollywood Story" episode).

After his Parents' Divorce, Mike was raised by his mom, Bette, the future Inventor of Liquid Paper, and his Maternal Aunt and Maternal Grandmother.

Per his Wikipedia entry, Mike dropped out of Thomas Jefferson High School at age 17, after which he Voluntarily Enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for 2 years, during which time he got his GED and later enrolled at San Antonio State College in Texas, during which time he got then 17-year-old Phyllis Barbour Pregnant and Married Her--their first of 3 children, Christian DuVal Nesmith, was born on January 31, 1964.

After his Air Force stint, Mike began a Career in Earnest as a Songwriter, with one of his earliest Song Compositions being "Until It's Time For You To Go," Written for Buffy Sainte Marie, who had a hit with the Song; he also would later write Linda Ronstadt's first big hit, "Different Drum," as well as his own hit, "Joanne," during the early 1970s.

On September 8, 1965, 437 young-adult Men auditioned for a new situation comedy pilot called "The Monkees." Mike was the only one who auditioned who answered the ad, and at his Audition, he noticed the series' Producers playing Chess with Coke Bottles, thus earning his role on "The Monkees."

Also auditioning and cast were 23-year-old Peter Halsten Thorkelson (born on February 13, 1942 in Washington, D.C.), soon renamed Peter Tork; 20-year-old George Michael "Micky" Dolenz, Jr. (born on March 8, 1945 in Los Angeles, California), a former Child Actor who'd already had a series, "Circus Boy," under his belt; and 19-year-old David Thomas "Davy" Jones (born on December 30, 1945 in Manchester, England), the only star of "The Monkees" hired without EVER auditioning for the show (per "E! True Hollywood Story").

Several of the 437 Men who auditioned (but were passed over) went on to greater fame and success--among them Danny Hutton (futurely of the Pop Trio "Three Dog Night"), Steve Stills (futurely of Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, & Nash), Harry Nilsson (future Singer/Musician/Songwriter) and Paul Williams (future Actor/Songwriter who wrote a number of songs for Muppets).

Contrary to Urban Myth, one person who DID NOT audition for "The Monkees" was Charlie Manson, due to Charlie being Incarcerated at the time for Kiting Checks; he eventually would be Paroled in 1967, 2 years before the Manson Family Murder of Sharon Tate resulting in being Imprisoned for Life.

Micky Dolenz claimed to have started the Myth as a Joke, stating that Everybody auditioned for "The Monkees," including Charlie Manson, and the Charlie Manson portion of the Joke made it to the point of Urban Myth.

The Pilot Episode, "Here Come The Monkees," was filmed in November 1965 at Warner Bros. Studios (then officially known as Columbia Ranch) in Burbank, California on the set of "The Farmer's Daughter." After an initial test screening Bombed, show creators Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider put Black-and-White interviews of Mike and Davy done the Prior October 1965, a month ahead of the Pilot Filming, thus the show earning a 26-episode Commitment from NBC.

On September 12, 1966, "The Monkees" made its Network TV debut on NBC.

The uniqueness of the show was about the Struggle for Success, and likewise though each of the Stars provided their own Singing Vocals, none of them (except for the 1967 Headquarters album) played their own Instruments on Records--as duly noted, the lone exception was the Headquarters album.

After the release of the first 2 Albums, Don Kirshner, the series' Music Supervisor, was fired by Columbia Screen Gems, which produced the series.

In August 1966, well over a month before the official Series' Debut, The Monkees as a Group released their debut single, "Last Train to Clarksville," which immediately became a Chart-Topping Hit, the first of 3 #1 Hit Songs.

Over the next 2 years, they'd have 11 Top 40 Hits on the Record Charts.

Of the stars of the show, Mike was the lone one who always Wrote Songs from the Get-Go. Among Mike's "Monkees" Songwriting Compositions included "Papa Gene's Blues," "Love Is Only Sleeping," & "You Just May Be the One."

Many of Mike's "Monkees" Songwriting Compositions featured Micky Dolenz on Harmony Vocals with Peter Tork & Davy Jones on backing vocals each.

Despite the success on both TV and the Record Charts, both cases were short-lived, as NBC canceled "The Monkees" in February 1968 due to Mike Nesmith's Insistence on Refusing to do a 3rd Season in the Sitcom Format.

The Series Finale, "Mijacogeo," aired on NBC on March 25, 1968.

The following November, the Monkees' Movie, "Head," was released Theatrically--and BOMBED. After 2 years, 58 TV episodes, 6 albums (including the "Head" Soundtrack) and a Movie, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones faded into Oblivion until February 23, 1986, when MTV began airing occasional reruns of "The Monkees" with a 45-Episode "Pleasant Valley Sunday" Marathon, after which reruns moved Permanently to sister network Nickelodeon on September 1, 1986 and continuing through September 9, 1988, during which time reruns continued to occasionally air on MTV.

In 1996, Mike, Peter, Micky and Davy all reunited as The Monkees to Record the First Group album in nearly 3 decades, "JustUs," for Rhino Records.

This album would be the Final Time the 4 stars of "The Monkees" would Reunite: on February 29, 2012, Davy Jones, age 66, a Life-Long Vegetarian, Avid Exerciser, Marathon Runner who Ran Miles Every Morning, and was a Trained Athlete, having been a British Jockey from 1960-1965 before becoming a TV Monkee (he also had an off-season Broadway career in America from 1963-1965 as the Artful Dodger in Broadway's "Oliver!"), had a Massive Heart Attack at the Indiantown, Florida ranch he shared with his widow, Jessie Pacheco, originally from Miami, and was pronounced Dead on Arrival at the Nearest Hospital an Hour Away, in rural Stuart, Florida. The then-Surviving Monkees trio (including Mike Nesmith) reunited for a 2012 Tour.

8 days after his 77th Birthday, on February 21, 2019, Peter Tork became the 2nd Star of The Monkees to Pass Away--after a 10-year battle with Cancer, including a Long Remission before his Cancer returned in late 2018.

With Mike's passing today, at approximately 2:30 P.M. ET over an Hour Ago as of this Writing, as KTLA proclaimed, "Micky Dolenz is the Only One Left."

A little-known fact about Mike I'm not sure HE knew in his lifetime: in June 1949, Mike had a half-sister, Deborah Ann "Debbie" Nesmith, who lived 2 days from June 11, 1949 - June 13, 1949 per the Find a Grave Website; Debbie was the Product of Mike's dad Warren's 2nd marriage after his Parents' Divorce.

In 2016, Mike survived Quadruple Bypass Surgery, per Rolling Stone.

On a personal note, before I conclude this Heavy-Hearted Obit for Mike, I must tell you all that I was looking forward to going to Savannah, Georgia earlier this Fall to see Mike and Micky perform as The Monkees at the local Johnny Mercer Theater--only for ****ing COVID-19 to cause the event to be Postponed to April 1, 2022; whether Micky will still do a Show as The Monkees is unclear to me, but I DO know that Mike Nesmith will be Dearly Missed.

12/30/1942 - 12/10/2021

TVShowAddict · 12-10-2021, 08:40 PM

I am very sad to hear this! Michael was my favorite Monkee! Rest in peace!

Zoneboy · 12-10-2021, 09:47 PM

So be it.

Ohio8 · 12-11-2021, 12:04 AM

Merry24 · 12-11-2021, 03:32 AM

According to Me TV.Com The Monkees will air 4 episodes deticated to Mike Nesmith December 12, Sunday 2pm-4pm.

2pm The Monkees-I’ve got little song here Season 1 episode 12

2:30pm The Monkees-Monkee Mayor Season 2 episode 4

3pm The Monkees-The Monkees in Texas Season 2 episode 13

3:30pm The Monkees-Fairy Tale Season 2 episode 16

TVShowAddict · 12-11-2021, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merry24

According to Me TV.Com The Monkees will air 4 episodes deticated to Mike Nesmith December 12, Sunday 2pm-4pm.

2pm The Monkees-I’ve got little song here Season 1 episode 12

2:30pm The Monkees-Monkee Mayor Season 2 episode 4

3pm The Monkees-The Monkees in Texas Season 2 episode 13

3:30pm The Monkees-Fairy Tale Season 2 episode 16

Just 4? That is ridiculous! It should be more than 4! That is disrespectful while Peter and David got more than 4 episodes as a tribute

Merry24 · 12-11-2021, 11:58 AM

Mickey Dolenz pays tribute to Mike Nesmith on Mickey’s Twitter page.

D-Dey · 12-11-2021, 01:22 PM

So, now the Fab 4 have outlived the Pre-Fab 4.

And with this, the Monkees lost their only real songwriter (the other being the late Peter Tork).

I wonder if anybody is going to start playing "Head" and "Elephant Parts," any time soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLXVz5fms10

MA · 12-12-2021, 07:13 AM

Decades will be doing a 2 day binge of The Monkees on December 18th and December 19th replacing Here Come The Brides.

PracTz · 12-12-2021, 01:49 PM

Let's hope Mr. Dolenz can do all he can to take care of himself for another 4 and 1/2 years so at least ONE Monkee will have made it to 80!

Dick York was Darrin · 12-16-2021, 12:43 AM

Sorry anyone dies and do not wish to speak ill of the dead. But he added nothing to the Monkees and was a main reason the show was cancelled and the "band" went defunct.

Dude111 · 12-16-2021, 06:14 PM

Very sad,I have several of thier records.....

12-10-2021, 04:38 PM	#2
stevearino Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 249	Mike Nesmith Dies at Age 78 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...es-78-rcna8395 It's with great sadness I announce with a Heavy Heart that Mike Nesmith, age 78, died today, December 10, 2021 in Carmel Valley, California of Natural Causes. Robert Michael "Mike" Nesmith was born on December 30, 1942 in Houston, Texas, the only child of Warren & Bette Nesmith, who divorced when Mike was very young (this according to "The Monkees' E! True Hollywood Story" episode). After his Parents' Divorce, Mike was raised by his mom, Bette, the future Inventor of Liquid Paper, and his Maternal Aunt and Maternal Grandmother. Per his Wikipedia entry, Mike dropped out of Thomas Jefferson High School at age 17, after which he Voluntarily Enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for 2 years, during which time he got his GED and later enrolled at San Antonio State College in Texas, during which time he got then 17-year-old Phyllis Barbour Pregnant and Married Her--their first of 3 children, Christian DuVal Nesmith, was born on January 31, 1964. After his Air Force stint, Mike began a Career in Earnest as a Songwriter, with one of his earliest Song Compositions being "Until It's Time For You To Go," Written for Buffy Sainte Marie, who had a hit with the Song; he also would later write Linda Ronstadt's first big hit, "Different Drum," as well as his own hit, "Joanne," during the early 1970s. On September 8, 1965, 437 young-adult Men auditioned for a new situation comedy pilot called "The Monkees." Mike was the only one who auditioned who answered the ad, and at his Audition, he noticed the series' Producers playing Chess with Coke Bottles, thus earning his role on "The Monkees." Also auditioning and cast were 23-year-old Peter Halsten Thorkelson (born on February 13, 1942 in Washington, D.C.), soon renamed Peter Tork; 20-year-old George Michael "Micky" Dolenz, Jr. (born on March 8, 1945 in Los Angeles, California), a former Child Actor who'd already had a series, "Circus Boy," under his belt; and 19-year-old David Thomas "Davy" Jones (born on December 30, 1945 in Manchester, England), the only star of "The Monkees" hired without EVER auditioning for the show (per "E! True Hollywood Story"). Several of the 437 Men who auditioned (but were passed over) went on to greater fame and success--among them Danny Hutton (futurely of the Pop Trio "Three Dog Night"), Steve Stills (futurely of Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, & Nash), Harry Nilsson (future Singer/Musician/Songwriter) and Paul Williams (future Actor/Songwriter who wrote a number of songs for Muppets). Contrary to Urban Myth, one person who DID NOT audition for "The Monkees" was Charlie Manson, due to Charlie being Incarcerated at the time for Kiting Checks; he eventually would be Paroled in 1967, 2 years before the Manson Family Murder of Sharon Tate resulting in being Imprisoned for Life. Micky Dolenz claimed to have started the Myth as a Joke, stating that Everybody auditioned for "The Monkees," including Charlie Manson, and the Charlie Manson portion of the Joke made it to the point of Urban Myth. The Pilot Episode, "Here Come The Monkees," was filmed in November 1965 at Warner Bros. Studios (then officially known as Columbia Ranch) in Burbank, California on the set of "The Farmer's Daughter." After an initial test screening Bombed, show creators Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider put Black-and-White interviews of Mike and Davy done the Prior October 1965, a month ahead of the Pilot Filming, thus the show earning a 26-episode Commitment from NBC. On September 12, 1966, "The Monkees" made its Network TV debut on NBC. The uniqueness of the show was about the Struggle for Success, and likewise though each of the Stars provided their own Singing Vocals, none of them (except for the 1967 Headquarters album) played their own Instruments on Records--as duly noted, the lone exception was the Headquarters album. After the release of the first 2 Albums, Don Kirshner, the series' Music Supervisor, was fired by Columbia Screen Gems, which produced the series. In August 1966, well over a month before the official Series' Debut, The Monkees as a Group released their debut single, "Last Train to Clarksville," which immediately became a Chart-Topping Hit, the first of 3 #1 Hit Songs. Over the next 2 years, they'd have 11 Top 40 Hits on the Record Charts. Of the stars of the show, Mike was the lone one who always Wrote Songs from the Get-Go. Among Mike's "Monkees" Songwriting Compositions included "Papa Gene's Blues," "Love Is Only Sleeping," & "You Just May Be the One." Many of Mike's "Monkees" Songwriting Compositions featured Micky Dolenz on Harmony Vocals with Peter Tork & Davy Jones on backing vocals each. Despite the success on both TV and the Record Charts, both cases were short-lived, as NBC canceled "The Monkees" in February 1968 due to Mike Nesmith's Insistence on Refusing to do a 3rd Season in the Sitcom Format. The Series Finale, "Mijacogeo," aired on NBC on March 25, 1968. The following November, the Monkees' Movie, "Head," was released Theatrically--and BOMBED. After 2 years, 58 TV episodes, 6 albums (including the "Head" Soundtrack) and a Movie, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones faded into Oblivion until February 23, 1986, when MTV began airing occasional reruns of "The Monkees" with a 45-Episode "Pleasant Valley Sunday" Marathon, after which reruns moved Permanently to sister network Nickelodeon on September 1, 1986 and continuing through September 9, 1988, during which time reruns continued to occasionally air on MTV. In 1996, Mike, Peter, Micky and Davy all reunited as The Monkees to Record the First Group album in nearly 3 decades, "JustUs," for Rhino Records. This album would be the Final Time the 4 stars of "The Monkees" would Reunite: on February 29, 2012, Davy Jones, age 66, a Life-Long Vegetarian, Avid Exerciser, Marathon Runner who Ran Miles Every Morning, and was a Trained Athlete, having been a British Jockey from 1960-1965 before becoming a TV Monkee (he also had an off-season Broadway career in America from 1963-1965 as the Artful Dodger in Broadway's "Oliver!"), had a Massive Heart Attack at the Indiantown, Florida ranch he shared with his widow, Jessie Pacheco, originally from Miami, and was pronounced Dead on Arrival at the Nearest Hospital an Hour Away, in rural Stuart, Florida. The then-Surviving Monkees trio (including Mike Nesmith) reunited for a 2012 Tour. 8 days after his 77th Birthday, on February 21, 2019, Peter Tork became the 2nd Star of The Monkees to Pass Away--after a 10-year battle with Cancer, including a Long Remission before his Cancer returned in late 2018. With Mike's passing today, at approximately 2:30 P.M. ET over an Hour Ago as of this Writing, as KTLA proclaimed, "Micky Dolenz is the Only One Left." A little-known fact about Mike I'm not sure HE knew in his lifetime: in June 1949, Mike had a half-sister, Deborah Ann "Debbie" Nesmith, who lived 2 days from June 11, 1949 - June 13, 1949 per the Find a Grave Website; Debbie was the Product of Mike's dad Warren's 2nd marriage after his Parents' Divorce. In 2016, Mike survived Quadruple Bypass Surgery, per Rolling Stone. On a personal note, before I conclude this Heavy-Hearted Obit for Mike, I must tell you all that I was looking forward to going to Savannah, Georgia earlier this Fall to see Mike and Micky perform as The Monkees at the local Johnny Mercer Theater--only for ****ing COVID-19 to cause the event to be Postponed to April 1, 2022; whether Micky will still do a Show as The Monkees is unclear to me, but I DO know that Mike Nesmith will be Dearly Missed. 12/30/1942 - 12/10/2021

12-11-2021, 12:04 AM	#5
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,886	Attached Images
	__________________ "Shorter of breath and one day closer to death." -- Pink Floyd

12-11-2021, 01:22 PM	#9
D-Dey Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 11, 2000 Location: Long Island, New York, USA Posts: 5,508	So, now the Fab 4 have outlived the Pre-Fab 4. And with this, the Monkees lost their only real songwriter (the other being the late Peter Tork). I wonder if anybody is going to start playing "Head" and "Elephant Parts," any time soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLXVz5fms10
	__________________ Funny song parodies here: http://www.amiright.com/parody/60s/thebeatles11.shtml http://www.amiright.com/parody/2000s...nstoner0.shtml http://www.amiright.com/parody/2000s/weezer56.shtml http://www.amiright.com/parody/2000s/thedonnas4.shtml Petition the United States Postal Service for a stamp honoring Minoru Yamasaki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minoru_Yamasaki http://about.usps.com/who-we-are/lea...-committee.htm Last edited by D-Dey; 12-11-2021 at 07:37 PM. Reason: spell fix

12-12-2021, 07:13 AM	#10
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,094	Decades will be doing a 2 day binge of The Monkees on December 18th and December 19th replacing Here Come The Brides.
	__________________ ~-Mikaela-~

12-10-2021, 02:53 PM	#1
Merry24 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 10, 2017 Location: beach Posts: 2,034	Mike Nessmith Passes Away According to TMZ. Mike’s songs were my favorite.

12-10-2021, 08:40 PM	#3
TVShowAddict Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 12, 2018 Posts: 296	I am very sad to hear this! Michael was my favorite Monkee! Rest in peace!

12-10-2021, 09:47 PM	#4
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	So be it.

12-11-2021, 03:32 AM	#6
Merry24 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 10, 2017 Location: beach Posts: 2,034	According to Me TV.Com The Monkees will air 4 episodes deticated to Mike Nesmith December 12, Sunday 2pm-4pm. 2pm The Monkees-I’ve got little song here Season 1 episode 12 2:30pm The Monkees-Monkee Mayor Season 2 episode 4 3pm The Monkees-The Monkees in Texas Season 2 episode 13 3:30pm The Monkees-Fairy Tale Season 2 episode 16

12-11-2021, 11:58 AM	#8
Merry24 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 10, 2017 Location: beach Posts: 2,034	Mickey Dolenz pays tribute to Mike Nesmith on Mickey’s Twitter page.

12-12-2021, 01:49 PM	#11
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	Let's hope Mr. Dolenz can do all he can to take care of himself for another 4 and 1/2 years so at least ONE Monkee will have made it to 80!

12-16-2021, 12:43 AM	#12
Dick York was Darrin Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 06, 2021 Location: Virginia Posts: 99	Sorry anyone dies and do not wish to speak ill of the dead. But he added nothing to the Monkees and was a main reason the show was cancelled and the "band" went defunct.

12-16-2021, 06:14 PM	#13
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 35,363	Very sad,I have several of thier records.....