Band recently wrapped farewell tour
Monkees co-founder and singer Michael Nesmith has passed away at the age of 78. His family confirms the singer/songwriter died from natural causes.
“With infinite love we announce that Michael Nesmith has passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully and of natural causes,” his family says in a statement. “We ask that you respect our privacy at this time and we thank you for the love and light that all of you have shown him and us.”
Micky Dolenz is now the remaining living member of the TV band. He released the following statement regarding Nesmith’s passing.
“I’m heartbroken. I’ve lost a dear friend and partner. I’m so grateful that we could spend the last couple of months together doing what we loved best – singing, laughing, and doing shtick,” Dolenz shares on social media. “I’ll miss it all so much. Especially the shtick. Rest in peace, Nez.”
Nesmith was the group’s primary songwriter who’s credited for classics such as “Mary, Mary,” “Papa Gene’s Blues,” “You Just May Be The One” and “Listen To The Band,” to name but a few.
Last month, Nesmith and Dolenz completed a North American farewell tour that commemorated 55 years of Monkeemania.
The group was formed in 1965 when four young men were cast in a television show about a struggling rock band that was inspired by the Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night. Few could have predicted the impact The Monkees would have on music and pop culture at large, one that still reverberates more than 50 years later.
