Micky Dolenz still Monkeeing around

The genetics of the Monkees sounds like a college science class. But that's what Micky Dolenz chose to speak about when discussing his former hit television project.

'If you understand the genetics of the Monkees, it was never a band,” Dolenz said by phone from his Los Angeles home. 'It was a television show about a band that didn't really exist.”

The difference between The Monkees and similarly concocted projects like the Rutles and Spinal Tap, is that The Monkees has existed in various forms for more than a half-century after the television series debuted in 1966.

Fifteen years after the show ended in 1971, Monkees alum Dolenz, the late Davy Jones and Peter Tork embarked on a 20-year anniversary tour. They played such as hits as 'Pleasant Valley Sunday,” 'I'm a Believer” and 'Last Train to Clarksville” during their initial reunion run.

'We had the greatest time in '86,” Dolenz said. 'We had no idea how it was going to go over. Who would have thought it would have been successful?”

Even more surprising was the critical praise of 2016's exceptional 'Good Times!” The album that marked the 50th anniversary of the act was arguably the sonic surprise of that year. 'Good Times” is the highest charting album for the band since 1968. Such acclaimed songwriters as Noel Gallagher of Oasis, Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, Andy Partridge of XTC, Paul Weller of The Jam and Adam Schlesinger of Fountain of Wayne contributed tracks to the catchy and charming album.

'To have so many great recording artists reveal that they were fans of The Monkees was amazing,” Dolenz said. 'But then it's another thing for them to be so inspired to write songs for our album. I was pleasantly surprised. But it's fitting, since during the early days of The Monkees, we had an amazing collection of songwriters write songs for us.”

Carole King, Neil Diamond and Harry Nilsson were among the many ace songwriters who contributed to The Monkees' early success.

'We were very fortunate to have such talent,” Dolenz said. 'But you have to realize that The Monkees' television show was like a Broadway show. The material was first rate, and we had to audition for the parts.”

Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills & Nash and Danny Hutton of Three Dog Night tried out but failed to score the gig. 'It was very competitive,” Dolenz said.

Dolenz, who was a child actor, was tabbed as the drummer even though he had no experience behind a drum kit.

'My reaction was ‘Great, where do I start?' I treated it like earning a part on a Broadway musical,” he said. 'I played classical guitar since I was 10 and I could read music. I had little doubt that I could adapt. If all of this didn't happen, I wouldn't be coming to Iowa.”

When Dolenz performs Saturday (9/29) at the Riverside Casino Event Center, expect a number of hits, a few deep cuts and some covers.

'Every show I do, I play Chuck Berry's ‘Johnny B Goode.' ... That was what I played when I auditioned for The Monkees,” he said

More is on the horizon for The Monkees, including the band's first holiday album, 'Christmas Party,” which will drop Oct. 12. It includes new songs written by Cuomo ('What Would Santa Do”) and Partridge ('Unwrap You at Christmas”).

'We're still going strong,” Dolenz said. 'We're excited about the Christmas album. Aside from that, Mike (Nesmith) and I will make up some Micky and Mike dates that were postponed.”

Dolenz believes it's possible that he and Nesmith will reconnect with Peter Tork for a tour of surviving Monkees.

'Peter is doing his own thing now with his blues band Shoe Suede Blues,” Dolenz said. 'I would like to do something with the three of us.”

When Jones was alive, Nesmith would only join the band on occasion. 'Mike was like our Neil Young, if we were Crosby, Stills & Nash,” Dolenz said with a laugh.

GET OUT!

WHAT: The Sixties Sound starring Micky Dolenz of The Monkees and The Fab Four - The Ultimate Tribute

WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday (9/29)

WHERE: Riverside Casino Event Center, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside

TICKETS: $20 to $65, Casino Gift Shop or Riversidecasinoandresort.com

EXTRA: Mark Lindsay will no longer be performing; for a refund, bring ticket to point of purchase by 8 p.m. Saturday (9/29)