Micky Dolenz, also known as George Michael Dolenz Jr., is an American actor, director of theater and television, radio host, and musician. He is well-known for his roles as The Monkees’ vocalist and drummer. He began his acting career under the stage name Micky Braddock and played an orphan who was adopted by a traveling circus in the adventure series “Circus Boy.” He rose to fame thanks to this part. He was a passionate musician who sang in two distinct bands, the Micky and the One-Nighters and the Lost Links. He was chosen for an audition for a television series on the music group “The Monkees” in 1965. The band released its first single, “Last Train to Clarksville,” which featured Dolenz as the lead singer, a few days before the premiere of the television series “The Monkees.” The song achieved number-one status. The program was a success as well and took home the Emmy for Best Comedy Series. He also served as the episode’s director. The Monkees were turned into a feature picture called “Head” by director Jack Nicholson. Sadly, it had a disastrous box office performance. The group ultimately broke up after the show was canceled. Then Dolenz began to perform on stage. Afterward, he relocated to London in order to perform in the musical “The Point,” and he remained in England for 12 years during which time he directed and produced television programs. He wrote a book titled “I’m a Believer: My Life of Monkees, Music, and Crazy” to document his experiences as a rock star.
Early Childhood & Life
George Dolenz and Janelle Johnson, both actresses, gave birth to Micky Dolenz on March 8, 1945, in Los Angeles, California.
At the age of 11, he made his acting debut in the 1956 episode of the children’s TV program “Circus Boy.” He portrayed Corky, a little boy who was abandoned and lived in a traveling circus. After the first two seasons, he made appearances on other television programs.
After “Circus Boy” finished, he returned to school and eventually earned his high school diploma in 1962 from Valley Glen’s Ulysses S. Grant High School. Afterward, he pursued his interest in architecture at Valley College and the Los Angeles Technical Institute.
Career of Micky Dolenz
Micky Dolenz had a guest appearance in one episode of the NBC Mr. Novak education drama in 1964. In the 1960s, he also started his own rock band, Micky and the One-Nighters, in which he sang lead. At the time, he co-wrote a few songs as well.
He applied for the position of drummer on NBC’s The Monkees in 1965 while still a college student and was chosen for the part. He played the drums and sang lead in the band that was assembled for the performance. He had never played the drum before, so he decided to take lessons.
Before “The Monkees” began airing, the band recorded a single called “Last Train to Clarksville,” which climbed to the top of the charts. Dolenz sang the hit songs “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Take a Giant Step,” and “I’m a Believer,” as well as penned a few songs for the band “The Monkees.” He co-wrote and directed the final episode of the two-year-long series.
Dolenz began lending his voice to animated shows like “The Funky Phantom,” “Partridge Family 2200 A.D.”, “The Scooby-Doo Show,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids,” and “The Tick” after “The Monkees” ended in 1968 and the band disbanded in 1969.
He wrote “Easy On You” in 1971 and recorded it in his home studio. He approached MGM Records after two songs had been recorded, and was welcomed right away.
He managed to balance his acting and music professions with ease. He made an appearance in an episode of “Adam 12” as well as the murder mystery movie “Night of the Strangler” in 1972.
He continued to record and release songs for MGM for three years throughout this time. He didn’t receive any chart-toppers, though. In order to record four songs for MGM, he relocated to England and collaborated with Tony Scotti, co-founder of Scotti Brothers Records, on the tracks “Splish Splash,” “Purple People Eater,” “I Hate Rock and Roll,” and “Wing Walker.” He soon departed MGM when label president Mike Curb left.
He went on a two-year tour in 1975 with former Monkees authors Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart called “Golden Hits of the Monkees.” The album “The Monkees Best Hits” topped the charts in 1976 thanks to the rerun of “The Monkees,” which furthered his musical career. He appeared in a Tom Sawyer play that same year. He traveled to London in 1977 to perform in the musical “The Point.”
He concentrated on honing his directing skills between 1980 and 1983. He created and oversaw the sitcom “Metal Mickey” in 1980. He also oversaw the direction of the play “Bugsy Malone” around this period. He developed and produced “Luna,” a British children’s television program that ran for one year, in 1983. A couple of episodes of the sitcom “Boy Meets World” were also directed by him.
Following the 1986 premiere of “The Monkees” on MTV, the band came back together with renewed vigor. That Was Then, This Is Now, a compilation of their singles, peaked at number 20 on the American Billboard Hot 100. They issued a new album called “Pool It!” in 1987. They also re-released each of their original albums, which all reached the top of the charts.
He wrote about his experiences as a pop and rock celebrity with the Monkees in his book “I’m a Believer: My Life of Monkees, Music, and Crazy,” which was published in 1993.
The Monkees produced a new album in 1996 called “Justus,” but it failed to chart. In the musical “Grease,” Dolenz made his Broadway debut around this period. He appeared in the Broadway production of “Aida” in 2003.
He started working as the morning DJ at New York’s WCBS-FM radio station in January 2005. His term came to an end with his 100th performance on June 3, 2005. His debut children’s book, “Gakky Two-Feet,” was released in 2006.
Significant Works of Micky Dolenz
Micky Dolenz rose to fame thanks to his part in the sitcom “The Monkees.” On September 12, 1966, the show had its debut, and fans seemed to enjoy it. He was a standout in the production and was loved for both his sense of humor and the musical performances that featured his unusual vocals.
He was the main singer on The Monkees’ debut single, “Last Train to Clarksville.” The song’s co-authors are Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, and it was released on August 16, 1966. It became popular right away and peaked at number one on the American Billboard Hot 100.
Individual Life of Micky Dolenz
Micky Dolenz wed Samantha Juste, a co-host of the pop music program on BBC TV, in 1968. On January 8, 1969, their daughter Ami Dolenz was born. In 1975, the couple was divorced.
In 1977, he wed Trina Dow. Charlotte Janelle, born on August 8, 1981; Emily Claire, born on July 25, 1983; and Georgia Rose, born on September 3, 1984—is the couple’s three daughters. In 1991, Dolenz and Dow got divorced.
He purchased a home in Bell Canyon, California, in 2001.
In 2002, Dolenz wed Donna Quinter.