Monkee Shines Issue 82 by The Purple Flower Gang

Monkee Shines

Issue 81 Winter 2012

In This Issue: An Evening With the Monkees 25 Years of Monkee Shines What the Monkees Did For Us Mike News David News Micky News Peter News A Davy Jones Exhibit David’s Family Attends Tribute

George The Bear Hazel Remembers Christmas With David A Vintage Ad PFG Members Sing Daydream BelievCelebrating 25 years er with the Monkees Of Monkee Shines David Receives Posthumous Award And more!

Editor: Cindy Bryant With a little help from my friends, The PFG Road Crew, “the crazy lot!” An Official Monkees Fan Club Monkeeing Around Since 1987

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In this issue Letter from the Editor................. 3 An Evening With The Monkees.. 4 The Monkees Make Day Dream Believers........................................ 6 25 Tears if Monkee Shines ......... 7 Micky News ............................ 16 David News ............................ 18 Hey Hey We Love Tribute to Our Davy ....................................... 19 Peter News .............................. 20 Mike News .............................. 22 Gilly Potter On Davy .............. 23 Vintage Ad .............................. 24 What The Monkees Did For Us 26 My Story ................................. 28 George The Bear ...................... 30 Davy Jones Exhibit .................. 32 Memories of David .................. 34 Lifetime Achievement Award... 41 Annabelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Fair ......... 42 Your Thoughts ......................... 44 Carpe Diem ............................. 45 The Wrecking Crew ................. 47

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and Canada) and $20 (overseas).. Ads are $30 for a full page and $15 for a quarter page. Money orders preferred, cash at own risk. Make all payments payable to Cindy Bryant NOT the PFG. Mail to Cindy Bryant, 903 East 2nd Street 1A, Muscatine, Iowa 52761.

If you find a stamp in this area your membership has expired with this issue. Please renew as soon as possible to assure your next issue. This is the only notice you will get.

My sincerest thanks to everyone who made this newsletter possible: Bonnie Borgh, Colleen Johnson, Dawn Hoffman, David, Levin, AL Bigley, Becca Nelson, Marie Gibson. Gilly Potter, Jody Proetta, Pam Patrick, Celine Allan, Alexis Rigby, Jeanette Watkins Jengreis, Anita and Annabel Jones, Hazel Wilkinson, the PFG online, and, of course David, Micky, Peter, and Mike, who make it all so much fun!

Visit us at: www.purpleflowergang.com And email us at: pfg@machlink.com & join the Purple Flower Gang Group on Facebook

The Purple Flower Gang 903 E 2nd Street 1A Muscatine, Iowa 52761 Monkee Shines is printed by Mailboxes & Parcel Depot 2

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Dear Gang, Just as I was getting ready to write this, out it on disk, and take it to the printer Mike announced a solo tour so I rushed to get the dates. Here is what has been announced so far: MIKE SOLO TOUR March 21 Nashville, TN March 24 Los Angeles, CA March 26 Santa Cruz, CA March 27 San Francisco, CA March 29 Portland, OR March 30 Seattle, WA April 3 Boulder, CO April 5 Minneapolis, MN April 6 Detroit, MI April 9 Munhall, PA April 11 Northampton, MA April 12 Rahway, NJ April 13 Boston, MA April 15 Philadelphia, PA

April 16 New York, NY April 17 Alexandria, VA I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the names of any venues so please keep your eyes open and if he is going to be in your area watch possible venues or keep an eye on internet sites like Pollstar for more information. As always we depend on you for your stories and sightings so as the guys go out on solo endeavors please keep us posted on where you catch up to them. From now on if you send us a story or photos or anything we use in the newsletter I will extend your membership one issue for each issue that we include your contribution. So keep Monkeeing around! Cindy Micky recently reprised his role as Wilbur Turnblatz in Hairspray

We will make every effort to publish Monkee Shines on the last week of January, April, July, and October. If for some reason it is going to be delayed I will try to let you know by postcard. As always, if you are unsatisfied with your membership for any reason we will be happy to refund the remainder of your membership dues upon request.

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ichael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork return to the concert stage this November for a historic, 12-daye tour of the untied States. These performances will mark their first concerts together since 1997. The trio’s shows are set to feature a selection of their classic hits (such as “Last Rrain To Clarksville,” “I’m A Believer.” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday”), deep cuts from their first five platinum albums (including some from their cult film classic Head and their Emmy Awardwinning television series. The show will encompass a full multimedia evening of music, rare films, and one of a kind photographs. Since the tour falls 45 years on from their epic struggle to become legitimate music makers, the concerts will be highlighted by a set performed by just Nesmith, Dolenz, and Tork. In 1967, the year The Monkees outsold The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, they issued two #1 albums (Headquarters and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Jones, Ltd.) which primarily featured

The Monkees as a self-contained, musical unit. The set showcases numbers from these albums and presents The Monkees’ electric garage band sound that they developed on their mid-1960’s tours. Michael Nesmith has reunited with the group over the years, his last stateside concert with the band was a rare private show in support of 1997’s Justus album. The tour also follows the unexpected passing of their musical comrade Davy Jones in February. Plans call for Jones to be saluted in the show’s multimedia content. Although Davy’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by The Monkees and their fans, this concert will be an opportunity to share their memories amidst the music and the movies that brought them together. Moreover, the band looks forward to performing for many new fans that have discovered their music through repeats of their TV show on Antenna television, classic rock radio, or via social media. One thing is for certain, this concert will be a once-in-alifetime series that is not to be missed.

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Photos by Al Bigley New Brunswick, NJ 11-30-12

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The Monkees, on stage and on the big screen, make â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Daydream Believersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; December 01, 2012|By Shaun Brady, FOR THE INQUIRER (Philadelphia Daily News)

Once upon a time" - as Peter Tork once succinctly narrated the Monkees' story - "four lads got together, not entirely by their own choice."

he diminutive Brit was not entirely absent, however. Clips of Jones singing "I Wanna Be Free" from the band's TV series and "Daddy's Song" from their trippy 1968 film Head, played on a large video screen behind the stage, prompting an audible "aww" from the sold-out audience.

work, which included pioneering efforts in music video and country-rock fusion. That country twang was evident in many of the Nesmithpenned songs the band performed, including "What Am I Doing Hanging 'Round?" and "Tapioca Tundra." Nesmith, a month shy of 70 and bald where he once sported his trademark wool cap, was in good voice as he strummed a 12-string guitar. Tork showed off his versatility, playing guitar, bass, keyboard and banjo. He indulged in a bit of clowning while singing his novelty tune "Your Auntie Grizelda."

The trio was supported by an able seven-member band that included Nesmith's son Christian on guitar and Dolenz' sister Coco on backing vocals. Despite the somber circumstances, the two-hour show never felt like a wake. The surviving trio teased and joked, appearing genuinely to enjoy being back in one another's company. The one major concession to Jones' loss was their performance of his signature song, "Daydream Believer." Describing the dilemma the band faced when attempting to decide who would sing it, Dolenz told the crowd that "we don't own this song anymore - you do," and selected a man from the audience to join him on stage and lead a singalong.

Dolenz played master of ceremonies, sporting a fedora and shades and occasionally taking his place at the drum set. His voice showed a bit of wear, especially during the soaring "Porpoise Song" from Head. And the trio were backed throughout by those images of their younger selves on video.

The loudest responses of the night were reserved for Nesmith, who hasn't made an appearance anywhere with the other Monkees since 1997. While Dolenz, Tork and Jones reunited regularly over the decades, Nesmith joined them only sporadically. He preferred instead to concentrate on his eccentric solo

Photo by Al Bigley New Brunswick, NJ

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25 years of Monkee Shines

The first newsletters were full size and we put holes in the sides so you could put them in a notebook. They were held together with a paper clipâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;labor intensive. No computer back then. It was all typed and then cut and pasted in the real sense of the words. We really had no idea what we were doing. Monkee Business Fanzine was THE information fanzine and we knew we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t compete with that so we set out to have fun, tell about OUR adventures and give other fans a chance to tell about theirs. While the look of the newsletter has changed greatly over the years, the idea remains the same.

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With issue 11 we finally got smart and went to booklet form. Although we were still typing and adding photos and graphics by hand. Photos were a problem. They had to be reproduced several times before they were actually printed in the newsletter and often were way too dark. We were authorized right from the start and belonged to the Nation8

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al Association of Fan Clubs. We knew Micky, Peter, and David knew of us and we had heard from all three on occasion but David was certainly the most involved and even went so far as to tell us he loved “The book”, that it was “so funny!” We tried some colored paper covers but those made the pictures even worse. 9

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Although I still thought we were better than a lot of the newsletters available we still had a long way to go and I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happy with the quality and the amount of work to put an issue together. A word processor made it easier to type but the photos were a big problem and the layout was not clean and neat. And then something happened to change Monkees Shines dramati-

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cally. David came to the Isle of Capri in Bettendorf. We assembled the usual suspects for the weekend and had a wonderful time. David left early Sunday morning and I got up to say goodbye while the rest of the misfits slept in, After saying goodbye I realized I had nothing to do as the restaurant do not open for an hour so I took my last $20 of gambling money and went to the casino. Within 10 minutes I had won an $800 jackpot and another $280 right

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after. I grabbed my winnings and left post haste, On the way home that day I purchased a computer. Thank you David! And we changed printer which meant the photos were somewhat better.. By issue 51 The newsletter was looking much better but I was still learning. An upgrade to my publisher program has allowed me to make the newsletter available online and that means the photos online are in color and now I can take the newsletter to

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the printer on disc which means the photos are no longer 2nd or 3rd generation and are much cleaner and crisper. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come a long way baby! We keep trying new things and we would love your suggestions so send them in. One of my favorite issues was the People Magazine rip off of the Sexiest Man Alive issue and I always enjoy or song parodies. Hope you do too.

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Some of you have been with us for the whole ride and others of you are new to the group. Thank you all for joining us on this fabulous ride. Who would have guessed 25 years ago when those crazy teens ( and you know who you are!) said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh yeah...we need to tell you something. You should be getting something in the mail. We registered the Pur14

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ple Flower Gang as a fan club and we used your name and address,â&#x20AC;? that we would still be here today sharing our stories and making great friends. Happy Anniversary Gang!

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By Becca Nelson

icky has been keeping busy as usual with a stop at the KLOS Christmas show and an upcoming appearance in "Hairspray In Concert." Hairspray will be showing the middle to the end of January with both the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Micky will also be taking part in "From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook" on January 28 at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, CT. This concert provides a free night of entertainment for the families, first responders, and Sandy Hook Elementary community. And now for a little fun, here's an article, I believe, from the Monkee Spectacular, August 1967- "Micky by His Mother"… The Christmas before his father passed away he had a part time job and he always bought some little trinkets for everyone in the family, no matter how much it cost. I remember the first Christmas after his dad passed away, he came in with a whole pillow case full of gifts with a whole set of dishes for me. Last Christmas he had more than he's ever had before and he bought me a Baldwin organ. I always wanted one so it was quite a surprise. He bought his sister, Coco, a car. Next Christmas it wouldn't surprise me if we all make our own gifts. We've done that before and Micky is very good at that. I've always loved hand made things, myself. He made me a plaque for

my birthday and he couldn't have been over seven or eight years old. He cut out a heart from a piece of wood and it said, "We Love Our Home" from Micky and Coco to Mom. He painted it in water colors and it's hanging in his room today. Didn't Micky and Coco once put on shows for you? Yes, Mr. Dolenz and I were the audience. It was usually after dinner just when we'd want to sit down and relax. Suddenly those two would walk in in the oddest garb. Coco would have on an old evening dress of mine (they had to have costumes, you see). Naturally they had to have a lamp shining on them as a spotlight. They thought of everything. They would have all sorts of little duets prepared and Micky was constantly whispering "now Coco, turn around…no, no, don't you remember how we rehearsed it!" Then he'd say, "wait just a minute, folks, we'll be back in just a moment." Then they would stoop, have a conference and come back and start again. This would go on until finally we'd drop little hints like, "It's been kind of a long show, could we have this continued tomorrow night?" For these shows they would sing songs and they'd say, "This is a scene of two people walking down the street"…writing it as the go type-ofthing. Coco always had to do the following because Micky was older and to this day that's the reason she always sings the harmony parts. They just seemed to have a knack for doing these things. These would happen two or three nights a

Monkee Shines weekâ&#x20AC;Ś.they were never short of material.

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avid’s little girl, Annabel, has sure grown up! Her indie band, Bluebell, is getting quite a bit of notice in England and we are trying to get her on some of the talk shows in the US by emailing the different shows and asking them to check her out.. Out Now Normal Heights / Cinderella: http://www.roughtrade.com/site/ shop_detail.lasso? search_type=sku&sku=352037# or http:// killingmoonrecords.bigcartel.com/product/ bluebell-normal-heights-cinderella-blue-7limited-to-300-copies-kmrlp007 Buy Now Normal Heights / Cinderella http://goo.gl/jXDeO www.bluebellshouse.net www.twitter.com/bluebellshouse Music News with Michael Cragg

New music: Bluebell – Normal Heights Softly cooing vocals and DIY symphonic pop from this duo ... now with added risque video We don't know too much about Bluebell other than that they're a duo and that the singer, Annabel Jones, used to be in a band called Lady and the Lost Boys. Oh, and that she's from Hampshire. Normal Heights, the song, emerged online a few weeks ago – all softly cooing vocals and DIY symphonic pop gorgeousness – and the accompanying, mildly NSFW video arrived over the weekend. Incorporating what looks like other people's holiday videos and private snapshots and editing them together to create a weirdly nostalgic home movie, it's the perfect visual accompaniment to a song that somehow brings to mind lost summer romances.

These are the flowers we sent to Hazel to represent the PFG at David’s memorial in England

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Hey, Hey We Love Tribute To Our Davy 

Family are VIP guests at Monkees musical



Show dedicated to star after sudden death

DIANE BOURNE

t was an emotional night for the family of Monkees legend Davy Jones at the red carpet premiere of a musical celebrating the group’s legacy. Davy’s sisters Beryl Leigh, from Cheadle, and Hazel Wilkinson, from Accrington, were among the VIP guests at the launch night of Monkee Business. The Openshaw-born heartthrob died suddenly in February, aged 66. Producers announced in response that their show’s two-week run at Manchester Opera House would be dedicated to him. Last night his family said they felt it was a fitting tribute to the singer’s legacy. Beryl said after seeing the show, “It was very emotional for me, but very good too. We all wanted to come together tonight to support the show.” Sister Hazel said, “We just love the music of the Monkees and whatever these young boys go on to do we just wish them the very best with their careers. They are just at the beginning of their careers, while David did some wonderful tours all around the world.” Beryl added that she was sure her brother would have headed to support the premiere, particularly as it was held in his home town. She said, “ David was very proud of his roots. It’s actually become very fitting

for the show to open her e in Manchester. Celebs at the red carpet premiere last night including Coronation Street stars Brooke Vincent, sporting a funk oversized faux fur handbag, Cath Tyldesley, Jimmi Harkishin, comedian Jim Davidson, and former Hear Say singer Suzanne Shaw. There was also a large contingent of Monkees mega-fans, who arrived in 60s costumes and tee shirts in honour of their idols. A collection was made for one of Davy’s favorite charities, the Multiple Scleroses Society

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By Becca Nelson

Peter Tork's Magic Memories by Chris Torkelson

y Story begins in the summer of 1968, when my brother Peter was still a Monkee. Peter had just moved into his new home in the Hollywood Hills and had invited the family to spend summer vacation with him in California. Needless to say, we jumped at the chance to visit Peter, and within a matter of days we had our plane tickets and were on our way. Peter met us at the airport, and from the moment he greeted us it felt like old times again. It was so good to see him, and I just knew this would be the greatest vacation of my life! Peter likes people around him. His old house had been too small to accommodate his many friends and acquaintances, so he had decided to buy a bigger one. The new house is almost too beautiful to describe, but I"ll try. Peter's home sits on the side of a mountain, facing the valley, and on a clear day you can see all of Los Angeles from his terrace. It's a truly breathtaking view. The shrubbery surrounding the grounds and the pool is a sort of desert brush, and there are orange and lemon trees growing on the side of "his" mountain! The inside of the house is something else again. There are a total of 14 rooms, seven bathrooms including a sauna bath- and there are five fireplaces! Peter had one room made soundproof for those loud jam sessions musicians are known to have! During our two-weeks visit with Peter (which, by the way, was our first

trip to California), we had a wonderful time. There was never a dull moment. We had barbecues on the patio, pool parties, and went just about everywhere! Peter took us to Disneyland for an entire day, to the famed Coconut Grove nightclub, to Whiskey A Go Go, and we even went dancing at the Factory- a private club where all the stars hang out! But, of course, the nicest part of the whole trip was being able to spend so much time with Peter. The days seemed to just whiz by, and pretty soon it was time for us to leave California and go home. The last thing I remember was Peter shouting, "See you all soon!"as we boarded the plane that would take us back to Connecticut. After a few weeks, everything returned to normal. Then, late one August night- the eve of my 16ht birthday, to be exact- my sister Anne heard a noise in the driveway. She went to the window and saw a strange car pull up. Before she had time to wonder who it was, out popped Peter! What a surprise-and what a birthday present! Peter was so exhausted after his trip from California that he feel asleep on our living room couch- moments after he entered the house! The next morning at breakfast, Peter was the first to wish me a happy birthday. Then he told me that his gift for me- a bright red MG-TF sports carwould be arriving in a few days! That nearly knocked me for a loop, and I couldn't believe my ears! In Connect-

Monkee Shines icut, we are allowed to drive at 16 years of age- and needless to say, that car was the greatest birthday gift i ever received! But Peter had a couple of additional surprises in store for us. He was wearing a beautiful silk shirt which he had especially made in Hollywood. And since my brother Nicky and I admired it so much- he reached into his suitcase and gave us each one! Anne was right there with her handy camera to take pictures of "The Three Musketeers"!

That day seems so fresh in my mind that I can't believe it happened almost one year ago. Since then of course, Peter has left the Monkees, but he is still one busy brother. In addition to working on a solo career, he is also forming his own group, called Release- which features his girlfriend Rein Stewart on drums! They hope to have a record out very soon, so watch for it! And keep reading 16 and 16 SPEC, where you will always find the latest on Peter!

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By Marie Gibson Hey everyone, hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season!

all. My songs are now almost as old as I am, but they still are frisky and alive. They have matured gracefully in my eyes like wonderful children. I know what cool kids look like as grown ups -- I have four human ones and they are all aces -- and the songs all have the same claim to my heart.”

As we all know, this past fall, Nez joined Micky and Peter for a brief, twelve date tour. As anyone could see from the pictures, it looked like Nez was having a fun time. He even reflected about how touring again with The Monkees, albeit briefly, was as gratifying as touring solo.

(“They” it turns out, are representatives from The International Association of People Who Won’t Go Away.)

He also celebrated his 70th birthday this past December 30. He described it as “quiet.”

As soon as more details are forthcoming, I will pass them right along to you.

This past weekend, he announced (in that roundabout way that he usually does) That he will be touring this Spring!

Many blessings to Nez and all of you!

From his Facebook page:

Love, Marie

“I wondered how they got my name and they said they heard I was going on tour in the US this Spring. I wondered where they heard that rumor. "Is it true?" they answered. Well -- yes it is -- I have accepted a few dates here for solo concerts starting west and heading east. I'm putting the players together now -about fifteen dates in

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My Thoughts of David From Gilly Potter I remember David, when he was a young boy. I used to take him in my van on a day trip, with my family to Blackpool, Liverpool, and Southport, etc. He really enjoyed those times, and felt like it was a real adventure away from Leamington Street where he lived, and Chisholm Street where we lived in Higher openshaw. He was always well behaved and full of fun and mischief, but great company.

A few years ago, I went to one of his concerts, he put the spot light on me, and announced who I was and dedicated hi song ‘Manchester Boy’ to me. David will be much missed, not only by his devoted family, but many friends. He was a good lad to everybosy. I was always proud of him, not just what he became but what he always was. March 2012

He sometimes used to practice his trumpet in our back bedroom. (When his mother had heard enough of it!) He was really good in Varna Street School productions, and Lees Street Church concerts and pantomimes, always a star. We watched his special talent develop, leading to his popular success.

Gilly Potter (In his 90th year)

No of this stardom ever changed him, he remained a ‘Manchester Boy’ at heart. When I visited my son Danny, who lived in the U.S.A. I saw David several times.

Monkee Shines Does anyone remember this ad? Were you one of the lucky winners who scored a GTO or a guest role on The Monkees?

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From Hazel—Daily Express March 3rd, 20112

What The Monkees Did For Us

appiness was being 13 at 6:15 pm on a Saturday with The Monkees about to start on TV. Davy Jones , who died this week, was The One, with his shiny floppy hair and liquid eyes… and his tambourine (never the most manly instrument but still). While the other three Monkees spent each episode of the Sixties TV show goofing around with dune buggies and surf boards and comical headwear Davy stood for romance, the perfect fantasy boy friend for a generation of little girls, the david Cassidy or Justin Bieber of his day. If Davy sang a solo just before the credits rolled, on a horse maybe looking dreamily out at the ocean… well swoonerama. What do The Monkees want? Ask the Radio Times in 1966.

Answer: “To be free… to make every day Saturday night, to climb impossible mountains, to take a trolley car to the moon, to deflate stuffed shirts.” Go, you groovy mavericks. But there was more behind the success of The Monkees than their wacky adventures or the Californian sunshine that they brought into suburban homes. Today’s youngsters raised on instantly accessible music via iPods, Spotify, and the rest, numbed by muzak, able to conjure up favourite bands via YouTube on a whim, cannot imagine how ravenous we postwar kids were for music. Our music. There was Radio Luxembuourg, then Radio Caroline but you’d press your useless transistor radio to your ear, desperately fiddling with the tuning dial hearing no more

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For say what you like about The Monkees being the Prefab Four they also recorded some of the best three -minute pop songs ever written by such masters as ,Neil Diamond, Carole King, and Neil Sedaka. If you can’t hear the opening chords of I’m A Believer without wanting to get and dance, then… my sympathies. Davy Jones wasn’t the greatest of musicians but he was part of something that made you feel, as that well-known pop picker Wordsworth wrote: “Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive.”

listening to music for nothing and saving up(6s 8d I seem to remember) for a single. You schedule your wee around Ready Steady Go! And Top Of The Pops and plunge into despair if you missed them. When Radio 1 was born it was a miracle. It was as if you’d been trudging through a desert and come to a magic place delivering Orange Mivvies and DLs in flowery shirts. It was that good.

he Monkees arrived fully formed in a world that was still full of square music, where finding pop music was a challenged, a bit “underground”, a bit your-motherwouldn’t-like it. And they gave it to is on a prime-time plate before supper.

And now Davy’s gone and caught that last train to Clarksville which really is ever so sad.

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ell, well, well! I have been a Monkees fanatic since 1975. My friends and I would run around at recess in the schoolyard as them. Guess who I would "play"?... Since 1986, I have seen many Monkees concerts at different venues. I don't think that I saw them in the same place twice, although I know ( ex. The Greek Theater) they have played at places more than once. I have seen Davy, solo, three times. Micky, solo, twice. Peter, solo, twice. Mike, solo, once. When David passed, I was in shock, words can't describe how upset I was. Many friends (some of which, I

haven't seen for years!) got in touch with me somehow to express their condolences. I know how odd that may sound. David was not a family member, but I sure felt after 37 years, I knew him. My friends knew how he was my idol since I was a little kid. I never thought in a million years, that the surviving members would tour again. I know it's a touchy subject matter. It's too soon, Michael's "handling" of his involvement and noninvolvement with The Monkees through the years was upsetting and maddening quite often. Just the same, the excitement I felt when the 2012 tour was announced was great! I

Monkee Shines looked forward to just seeing them together after so long apart. Finally, Thursday, November 29th, arrives! My mom (who recently got diagnosed with COPD and needs oxygen 24/7) was also extremely excited! We arrive and I meet up with my friend, Stacey Worthington-Friel and her mother. Stacey obtained the tickets and got amazingly close to the stage seats! We were in the first regular row of seats (stage left) but had four rows of folding chairs in front of us. From the start of this concert, I was singing, screaming, cheering, clapping, cried (during "I Wanna Be Free") a bit. Just being there and seeing them was amazing! I wasn't really thinking about the "Daydream Believer", tribute during the concert. I was enjoying every moment as it happened. To my knowledge, I've learned otherwise, since) Micky had only picked girls, women to sing with them. When he started asking who wants to sing with him, I didn't think that I had a shot in the least! Again, I was in the audience, stage left. Micky, paced to stage left, then stage right, back to stage left. When he pointed to me and said, "You sir, right here!", I was in utter disbelief! Security, staff, what have you, at the Keswick theater, led me (in a daze) up some steps (with a little flashlight) to go back stage and led me to the stage. While being escorted, I kept saying to the staff, "I can't believe this, I can't believe this, I can't believe this!" Micky gets to me, and asks me my name. I should have said, "David". That's what my mom prefers. Most people call me, "Dave", so that's what I said. Before he "introduced" me, he said, "What?", into the mic. I think that I said, "This is unreal!". His arm was around me, so I followed suit.

I couldn't believe that I had Micky next to me, Peter on my left, and Michael on my right. To top it off, David is above us all, appropriately enough. I never looked behind me to see the screen, but I knew I would see it later from at least one video capture of it. Still a bit upset that my voice was hoarse, flat, just plain shot, but the only thing I would trade for this once in a lifetime experience is that David was still here with us all. Words are hard to describe this, but basically stated, it was the biggest thrill of my life. Something that will always be remembered and treasured. After the bows with Micky, it appeared that Micky, nicely wanted me to leave the stage. Timing is everything, though. As Micky (with his back to the audience) placed his right hand out, pointing to stage left, I had pointed to Mike, Mike then (with his hand) motions me over. Well, I was shocked! I went over and he leans into to me to hug me! Then, Micky tries to collect me again, when Peter starts jumping up and down and wildly was calling me to him. My hug to him was the weakest, as when I put my arms around him, I felt a very skinny man. Had I squeezed him tightly, I might have snapped him in half! After that amazing moment, I get back to Micky for some more Monkee love. For a brief moment, I thought about doing the Monkee walk with him... After Micky walks away, Coco extended her hand and said, "Great job!", David Alexander, shook my hand, as well. Then, Christian, offers his hand, which topped it all off! I can only hope (as many people have expressed to me) that David was looking down and approving. Best, David Levin

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Jody Proetta and George

've had the pleasure for many years now, to share my home with a very lovely teddy bear named George. He is quite old now. His nose is now taped and glued on, his eyes are glued in place as they have fallen off a couple of times from many, many hugs, and his ears had to be sewn back on a few times. He traveled to college with me, and many other places when I was young. He shared many happy moments with me, and many tears have been shed on him. Even though he is very old, and a little frightful to look at, he is loved as much as the first day he came to live with me. He has brown and black fur, and a few patches of bald spots now. His original owner was David Jones. You can always tell how much teddy bears are loved--the worse shape they are in is usually an indicator that they are loved a lot. This one was pretty worn when he came to live with me--and he smelled just like his very wonderful owner which was a mixture of Ivory soap and clean cotton

linens. I'd like to share the story of how George came to live with me. I had the pleasure of David's friendship when he was in the Broadway show Oliver as a teen. Whenever I would go visit David in his apartment, I would see George either sitting on the chair across from David as he ate his breakfast or drank his tea, or George would be sitting on David's couch. I always picked up George and held him while chatting with David. David knew I liked George, and soon noticed I always had him on my lap. Eventually he started leaving notes on George for me. If I went to his apartment to pick him up to go for ice cream or to go to the theatre, and he was still in the shower, he would leave me a note on George "in the shower, be out soon". Sometimes he would just leave me nice notes on George "George bought you Cracker Jacks" (I had a thing for Cracker Jacks in those days). "Thanks for all the bear hugs". Sometimes he would leave me funny notes. Here is an ex-

Monkee Shines ample: David taught me how to play cards. I had no clue of what I was doing when he started teaching me because I had never played cards. He taught me how to play poker and some other card games. George always sat on my lap and watched. Well, I really stunk at cards. David was really good and always won. ALWAYS. I watched him play cards with his friends and he was really very sharp. One day after David slaughtered me at cards again for the 1000th time, George had a message when I went to see David in the evening, which read "We love you, but, you really stink at cards" "We'll work on it" and there was a box of Cracker Jacks under the note. (I always gave him the prize). I really did not like playing cards, but, I was not going to tell my friend that. For some reason, he was convinced I would become a good card player. And I loved spending time with him. He was like a pint sized extremely powerful magnet. It was a big brother and little sister relationship, and in this case the siblings got along very well. Oliver was leaving Broadway. David was going on tour with the theatrical group. He accurately predicted that his little friend was going to have a hard time with his absence. He had called for me to meet him in his apartment and we were going out for milk shakes. When I got there he told me he had an important question. He asked me to "adopt" George as he felt George would not be able to live out of a suitcase and may get destroyed, moving from place to place. He said he knew I loved George and would take care of George in the best way. Of course, I said YES. George was a part of my dear friend, and if David was not here anymore with me, George was. David called me the first week he was away and asked how George was. I said George was

great, but that I really missed him. David called the following week, and asked how George was and I told him great, but that I really missed him and this time I could not help but cry on the phone. He said he missed George and I, and knows I am taking good care of George in the best way, and when he feels sad, he thinks of the funny songs we composed, and that makes him laugh. He sang me one of the songs we had made. I laughed. David and I would sit at the piano in the theatre and make funny songs. I was a pianist since 3 years old so I would play the piano for him. David would make up lyrics to funny songs, sing a melody, and I would transfer it to the piano. I would then write down the music for him. He would then sing the song and I played the piano for him. He kept the music and sang me one of the songs on the phone. Our songs were really silly, but, very funny. It was then that I figured out why George came to live with me. David gave me George so George could take care of me. Not vice-versa. He knew I would have a hard time when he left, so, he gave me his bear to comfort me. George made the trip with David to America so David would have comfort away from his family. Now George came to live with me so I would have comfort when my very dear friend left. And it worked. George gave me many, many wonderful bear hugs. David said to me on the phone, "I know you are taking care of George in the very best way". "Make sure you keep him warm", which was code from my friend for "make sure you hug George so he gives you lots of hugs back". To my wonderful and dear friend David, George took care of me in the very best way like you intended. I will take care of George for you forever. With my love always my friend, Jody <3

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Family of Monkees star Davy Jones have praised new exhibition about his life - article courtesy of Hazel Wilkinson

EXHIBITION From left Davy’s niece Beverley Barber, his sister Beryl Leigh, Hyndburn Mayor John Broadley, mayoress Jean Broadley, Davy’s sister Hazel Wilkinson and his nephew Robert Wilkinson. Photo by Michael Walmsley. Below, some of the memorabilia.

embers of Davy Jones’ family attended a launch event for an exhibition in memory of The Monkees singer. The star’s sisters Hazel Wilkinson of Church, and Beryl Leigh of Cheadle, attended the opening of the exhibit which is on show at the Hayworth Art Gallery, Accrington. Davy died after suffering a heart attack in February this year aged 66. His sister Hazel provides materials for the exhibit and said she was happy to share her collection with the gallery for its Summer and the 60s display. She said: “It a great exhibition. Fans and friends will be popping in to see this wonderful 60s themed event with the Beatles, top groups of the 60s locally and also our Davy. The display concentrates on Davy’s personal career and his close family ties. Hazel’s son Robert, and

Davy’s niece Beverly Barber also attended the opening on Sunday, August 19th along with the Mayor of Hyndburn John Broadley and the mayoress his wife Jean. Yvonne Robbins, learning access coordinator at the gallery said the display will be a special way for people to remember the star. She said: “We had more than 80 people attend the opening ceremony, including one of his lifelong fans who travelled up from London. We are indebted tp Hazel for 32

Monkee Shines her generosity in the loan of so many personal belongings and are privileged to be able to present this tribute to a much loved and sadly missed international superstar.â&#x20AC;?

The exhibition is on until Sunday September 23. The Hayworth is open to visitors on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 12noon to 5pm and at weekends 12noon to 4:30pm.

A room full of special moments from Davy Jones life. Photos by Hazel Wilkinson

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Memories of... Davy’s London Visit! Courtesy of: Hazel Wilkinson Our Foreign Correspondent Written by: Bonnie Borgh

Dad when in England.”

hen I read the article which first appeared in Tiger Beat’s Monkee Spectacular #12 (April, 1968) I thought, “I wonder if Hazel really did write this...” so I thought I would ask her. ( See the original article following this one.)

I asked Hazel if reading this story brought back any other memories. Hazel replied: “We all have many memories, happy and sad. For Robert and I now, No Deborah, Ken, Dad. No David. We were honoured to share in David’s show biz life, and it’s brought us all a lot closer sharing in his very busy life, families, and the special way he included us all in some of the wonderful times. Holidays in USA, meeting some wonderful people, and lots of family gettogethers: our 25th wedding anniversary, 21st party, and family weddings.”

Hazel wrote, “It’s so long ago I cannot say I did write about 1967. We did meet David and spent some time with him but some facts are not correct! Mainly wrote for Tiger Beat.” According to the teen magazine story, for most families, Christmas is a peaceful time to gather. However, the 1967 Jones’ family Christmas sounded a lot like a three-ring circus. I asked Hazel how Christmas differed from then to when David came home the past couple of years.

The Tiger Beat’s story alluded to a number of suitcases David brought to England with him. I asked Hazel if she remembered what was in all of that luggage. I would have imaged those bags being filled with gifts David brought for the family, and I asked Hazel if she remembered anything in particular. Hazel said, “He came home with gifts for everyone, a watch for Dad, always with latest demo discs, records, and Monkee memorabilia (still got

Hazel responded: “David didn’t often visit the main part of Christmas as he had his own family in USA and spent time with his little ones and Linda, then with Anita and Jessica and Annabel, but he’s always tried to get to see 34

Monkee Shines it), a huge stuffed lion for Robert, a white fur hooded jacket for Deborah, passed on to Kirsty, then Beverley, Annabel a teddy bear.” Hazel continued, “Do you remember the story of Ken and I catching a thief in a shop we were passing dressed in Monkees’ t-shirts and hats? He had given them to us in Manchester.” Hazel also added, “Later when Robert was older, he often got a parcel of David’s baseball caps and t-shirts. He has a room with a hundred plus now.” You may recall the paragraph on Page 14 entitled SPECIAL PUDDING. I had never heard of ’Christmas Pudding and Rum Sauce’ with ’a silver sixpence’ contained therein. Hazel commented: “Yes, a traditional Xmas Pudding like fruit-loaf is full of sultanas, currents, peel, glase cherries, and steamed weeks before. Always adding sixpences in foil, lucky but dodgy not to break teeth. We still do it now.”

album in Manchester. You will have seen Deborah sat on David’s knee in magazines. Look at some in David’s books. We all sent pictures taken to him in USA, and he used many.” Thank you so much, Hazel, for sharing with us your memories of Christmastime with David. Our thoughts and our prayers continue to go out to you and your family. David was so special to us; we miss him greatly, too.

The Monkee Spectacular story mentioned David read his fan mail. [We know...We know...] I asked Hazel if she still had any touching letters that she felt comfortable sharing with us. Hazel commented: “Far too many, received the most beautiful tributes when David passed away. I don’t throw any letters away from mail.” [I don’t think David ever did, either.] Finally, I asked if Hazel had any photos from Christmas 1967 that she felt comfortable sharing. She concluded: “There will be many but in Beryl’s loft or in the family 35

Monkee Shines (Reprinted from Tiger Beat’s Monkee Spectacular #12 (April, 1968)

t is Christmas Eve 1967, and we are all at Clumber Road, Manchester, waiting. Who are we? We are the Jones family, Dad, three sisters, Hazel, Beryl, and Lynda, their husbands, Ken Allan, and Alex, and the three grandchildren, Deborah, Robert,, and Mark. What are we waiting for? We are waiting for our David, Son, Brother, Uncle, and Monkee. Christmas preparations started weeks ago at our house because this Christmas, all the family is coming together for the festivities. David had told us in the summer, when we saw him at the London concerts, that he would be home but we know that the boys have a heavy schedule and that they might not be able to have time off for themselves. However, David has phoned Dad to say that he will be home Christmas Eve, So here we are, waiting. It’s just like any other family Christmas, decorations are strung from the ceilings and walls, Christmas cards are all along the chimney, Port and Sherry, laughter. There’s just one difference—outside the house are a gathering of Monkee fans and they are waiting too,

DAVY”S HOME!

t noon the telephone rings and Dad answers, we all get up and try to listen in. This is it, David has arrived at the airport and would someone come for him. Alex is firstout and off he goes, here we are again, back to waiting. After what seems to be an age, but is really an hour, there is a commotion at the garden gate. We rush to the windows and there at the gate is a large, black taxi-cab, surrounded by fans waving autograph books. Maybe this isn’t going to be just an ordinary Christmas after all, After a short while,

out of the taxi comes masses of huge, I mean really huge suitcases, but no David. Where is he? HI TO FANS

e move the ‘cases and the taxi leaves. As it draws away, Alex’s car comes into sight and then drives in through the garden gate up to the front door. Now we are all in the doorway and there is David in a short cream coloured, leather jacket, climbing out of the car. He gives a quick wink and “HI DAD” and then he turns to the fans and holds up his hands and says “MERRY CHRISTMAS. Then he ducks into the house and the door is shut behind him. “Are you well?” “Do you want a cup of tea?” “Are you getting enough to eat, do you want a sandwich?” The questions flow thick and fast. David just laughs and says, “LET”S HAVE A CUP OF TEA AND THEN WE CAN ALL SIT DOWN.” About this time we realize that David has brought two friends home with him from America, David Pearl and Phil Maraboe, so we say Hello, David Pearl. Hello, Phil” and they both say “Hi” and sit down next to David on the big curves settee at the back of the room. Now we have our cups of tea and after the first exciting “Hellos” we sit down too and we all have a good look at each other. Is David looking thinner? I think he is he’s glowing with energy and brown with the California sun and looking well. David looks all around the family, grinning, then he gets up and goes to where the children are sitting. He hs one young man to meet who was only born in May, nephew Robert. He picks him up and gets Deborah and Mark on his knee, and it was like he was never away, You know, although we are all intensely interested in David’s career, we find that the first questions we ask are all about who cooks and cleans for him and how does he get his laundry done when he’s on tour and things like that. Dad

Monkee Shines wants to know if he’s been behaving himself. I don’t think any of us believe he is old enough to look after himself yet.

the engine fires and he’s off. We allwave and the fans wave too. One or two of them run after David and we don’t see them again Now we have all got over the excitement, recovered our wind and had a second unbelieving look at those giant suitcases David brought, which are littered all over the lounge. Dad pulls one off his favorite armchair by the fireside and we all settle down again to a family chat.

SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS

fter a few minutes David bounces up and says “LET’S GO OUT AND SEE THE KIDS, THEY MUST BE COLD.” So we go outside and David starts signing autographs on pieces of paper, Monkee Annuaks, and LPS. It’s freezing out and soon we are all cold, but David keeps on signing and smiling and chattering away. All the girls are very excited but they keep in line and eventually there are no more pieces of paper to sign so he says “MERRY CHRISTMAS” again and we go back in the house. During the afternoon a procession of Aunties and Uncles parade through the house. David knows them all of course and there is lots of handshaking and laughing. Very soon it is time for the evening meal. We have hardly sat down when the telephone rings, david answers it, then turns to david Pearl and says, “WE’V GOT A DATE TO SEE A SHOW AT THE T,V, STUDIOS, LET’S GO.” A friend has called to say that his group, The New Vaudeville Band, are recording a show and it’s open house for visitors.

DAVID TAKES OFF

uddenly David bursts in through the front door, back from the studios. He’s brought a friend with him who has got to get to Cheltenham for Christmas Day and there’s no public transport running. David takes things in hand and after organizing a sandwich snack for us all, they set off for Cheltenham, this time in Alex’s car. It’s 2a.m. and Cheltenham os two hundred miles away, don’t those boys ever sleep? Well, we do, so it’s off to bed for us because tonight Father Christmas makes his rounds, I wonder if he’ll see David. He could give him some of those sacks of Christmas cards and birthday cards that are stacked in the corner, addressed to “Davy Jones.” Christmas Day is bright and crisp, we have been up since early morning, opening Christmas gifts. David isn’t home yet and Dad is worrying. All the girls are in the kitchen making Christmas dinner and their husbands are busy playing with the children’s toys. Cards are being pushed through the letterbox by the fans, who gathered early.

OFF TO THE STUDIO

ad lends David and his friends the keys for his little green mini car and they dive into it and get set for the off. Unfortunately Dad has been ill for a while and hasn’t used his car in ages, so the battery is flat and when David turns the ignition on, nothing happens. Now we are glad the fans have hung around and we get so many helpers to push-start the Mini that it almost takes off. I think some of the girls will be happier if the Mini doesn’t start and then they can push David all the way to Manchester. Anyhow

QUEEN’S SPEECH

inner is almost ready when David and his American friends rush in past fans, looking tired. “IS DINNER READY? WE’VE BEEN DRIVING ALL NIGHT.” This is David speaking,

Monkee Shines then, “LET’S GO SIGN SOME MORE BOOKS LET THE GIRLS GO HOME FOR DINNER.” And so we go again and the fans are delirious. After half an hour some of the girls decide they want a really close look at David and they start to pull him over the garden wall. A minute or so later we get him back with a little help from David Pearl, then Dad says, “Come in, it’s the Queem’s Speech on T.V.” In we go and then we find that the boys got lost during the night, and had a tour around South Wales before they came home, no wonder they looked tired. The children have their new Christmas toys, and Uncle David has to play with them all, even the dolls. Eventually we all sit down at the dining table and the turkey is brought on with all the trimmings ‘round it. Dad is sitting at the head of the table with the amily ‘round him and David, as the youngest sits at the bottom.

SPECIAL PUDDING

or a while, at least, everything is perfectly quiet. The meal ends with the Christmas pudding and Rim Sauce. This is a heavy fruit pudding with silver coins in it for luck. David Pearl and Phil haven’t had this before and David is busy telling them about it, he spoons in a silver sixpence, nearly swallows it and almost chokes. As we get up from the table, some school friends of David's call in and after saying “Hello” they start arguing about football. The local team, Manchester United, is playing Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas Day). Of course David’s friends support Manchester but David has a lot of friends playing for Wolverhampton. He entertained them in Hollywood earlier this year and did some training with them, so the argument is brisk. In any event they agree to go to the match tomorrow. May the best man win. READS HIS MAIL

Monkee Shines

t is now time for tea, but no one feels hungry so we have some sandwiches and David goes out to have a few words with the fans again. Back in the house, david starts opening his Christmas mail. There are cards and letters from everywhere and David wants to read them all, so we sit around him, opening the envelopes and handing him the contents, Soon we are covered in paper, there are some lovely cards, including one which is six feet square! Evening is on us before we know it and it’s time for the children to go to bed. It’s “Goodnight Uncle David’ and they are off. David has been invited to a party by some friends and he decides he will go. Wash and change and he is away out again, By this time we are all tired just watching David rush about, so we have a quiet evening at home. I don’t know where he gets his energy from, even when he is sitting still you can feel he’s bubbling over just waiting to get up and go.

GROW MOUSTACHE

oxing day is well on it’s way to noon when we get up. A quick glance out of the window confirms that the chanting that woke us was a group of fans, who will tell us they have been outside all night, David comes downstairs, followed by Deborah and Mark. I think they have been talking to him for a long time because Deborah announces to us that “Uncle David even has a wash with his love beads on and David Pearl sleeps with his on.” They get on well together. Without breakfast, and with the start of a moustache just showing, David once again finds his way outside to chat with the fans. Dad is not so happy about this, and says “He’s had no breakfast and he’s not even had a shave.” David Pearl has to tell him that we think David is growing a moustache. Breakfast is over and now David tells us about his shop “Zilch” and shows us some of te things he sells. Dad

Monkee Shines is persuaded to try a blue and black flowered khaftan on, we tell him he looks great in it and David says “PEACE SOUL BROTHER” but dad won’t keep it on. NOT RECOGNIZED

verything s rush again, all the boys are going to the football match and they are late. Off they go in two cars and a small van and eventually get places in the Stand at the Stadium. No one recognizes David, but one small girl says to him “Hey you look like Davy Jones, but your hair isn’t long enough.” After the match, which Wolverhampton lost, David decides to go and cheer up his friends, so hegoes up to the Attendanton, the players entrance and announces who he is. “Come back when we’re not so busy, son, you’ll get your programme autographed then.” There is nothing else to do but go home. Now we are all sitting ‘round the T.V. set and watching the credits on the screen for a T.V. show that David is itching to watch. Th credits read—Music by Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr, - Starring Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Star. You guessed it. “The Magical Mystery Tour” is starting ‘ROLL ALONG, ROLL ALONG-’ and David is laughing already. We watch the show through, david thinks it is great and doesn’t stop laughing all the time it’s on. The rest of us like the music but don’t care for the film, so we spend the time arguing about it.

FAMILY SING

t’s time to go to Aunt betty’s house for a party. David drives his dad, who keeps up a running commentary on the drive all the way. David says he’d rather do a day’s work at the Studios than drive Dad again, At the party we are all dancing, drinking, and

eating and having a ball. We persuade David to sing and he gets his guitar and sings “Hard To Believe”. He sings it softly and it sounds quite different to the record, I think I like it better sung live. The party is a huge success but it’s time we went home. We are all tired and have had a fabulous Christmas with Our David. As we get to the house, two girls are waiting outside, it’s pouring with rain and they are very wet. David asks them in and we all have coffee, then David runs them home after giving them a stack of photographs. I am sure that those two fans will remember Christmas this year, I know we all will.

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STUNTMAN JERRY ALAN AND MUSICIAN DAVY JONES TAPPED FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT October 23rd, 2012 rlando, Florida – Florida Motion Picture & Television Association, Inc. is delighted to announce this years recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented during the 23rd Annual Crystal Reel Awards Gala, November 10th hosted by the luxurious The Florida Hotel & Conference Center in Orlando, Florida. With over forty years in the industry, making leading men look their best in both feature films and television, stunt coordinator/stuntman Jerry Alan, will be adding this prestigious honor to his resume. From his television days on the set of Bonanza and Gunsmoke, to his James Bond features Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Man With The Golden Gun (1974) and Casino Royale (2006), into his tenure as a member of Florida Motion Picture & Television Association, his Life Membership displays his encouragement of our industry. From the 1961 Tony nominated performance as the Artful Dodger in Oliver!, Davy Jones soon became a teen idol that would see him join the Monkees from 1966 to 1971. Although officially disbanded in 1971, members of the Monkees continued to stay in the limelight. Davy continued to tour with various band members, including the 45th Anniversary Tour. As Time reported in February 2012, “Whatever Jones and the Monkees were meant to be, they became creative artists in their own right, and Jones’ chipper Brit-pop presence was a big reason they were able to produce work that was commercial, wholesome and yet impressively weird.” Accepting the posthumous award for Davy Jones will be his daughter Jessica Cramer Jones.

Crystal Reel Awards Executive Producer, Thomas P. Mitchell, Sr. stated, “We are honored to have these two special people in our presence and in our hearts. They share the passion for our industry, and the work they have done promote us where ever they go.” The Crystal Reel Awards is a celebration of the entertainment industry in Florida. Gala dinner tickets include Red Carpet, Lifetime Achievement Award Reception with Jerry Alan and Jessica Cramer Jones, the Robert Harris show, exquisite dinner, dessert and of course, the Gala with presentation of the acclaimed Crystal Reel Awards. Call times for the Red Carpet begin at 4:30pm on Saturday evening the 9th. Mezzanine doors will open at 7:30 for our guests in Heroes Ballroom. Ticket Order Form can be downloaded online at www.fmpta.org or by calling FMPTA at 386.873.2453. Dinner ticket sales close October 27th. Mezzanine tickets will be available up to showtime. The Crystal Reel Awards Gala is held annually to honor and highlight outstanding achievements in motion picture, television, audio recording and digital media productions created in Florida over the past year. The Official Judges of the CRA are Emmy©, Grammy©, and/or Oscar© recipients from across the country with no affiliation to FMPTA. Scoring forms are tallied by the Official Accounting Firm of the CRA, who will deliver the envelopes on stage. Florida Motion Picture & Television Association, Inc. is the oldest trade organization in Florida, founded June 25th, 1974. Its mission is to promote motion picture, television, audio recording and digital media production in Florida. Active in the legislative

Monkee Shines process affecting our industry, FMPTA also strives to educate its membership and the public as to the importance of entertainment to the Florida economy. The Crystal Reel Awards was created to celebrate the outstanding achievement in the named types of productions, created in Florida. FMPTA members include producers, directors, music producers, animators, studios, casting agents, cameramen, actors, digital arts, stuntmen,

electricians, heavy equipment operators, truck and fleet services, bus companies, make-up artists, set designers, equipment rental companies, recording studios and trade/craft services.

Annabel Jones, along with Jessica and Anita, held a Christmas Fair at their home in England on December 2nd. It was a rousing success. A good time was had by all.

essica accepted the award for her father, who would have been very proud to receive this honor.

Monkee Shines Still trying to catch up on so many things since Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passing. This was written by Betty Penny (now Billam) and share by Hazel.

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Your thoughts on the current Monkees tour: This comment was mis-identified in the last issue. It was actually from Pam Patrick...my bad!: Chicago: Last night in Chicago the guys were like it was 1967!!!!! You could never tell they were 67-70yrs old. Mike was the old jokester mike micky dominated the stage Peter danced his wiggly butt off. All the smiles between the guys and in response to the love shown by the audience was wonderful to see. Best show ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Celine Buford Allan: When I first saw the announcement and saw the promotional picture of Micky, Peter, and Mike I broke out crying as if it were February 29th all over again! I was angry and sad that life goes on without David. I was further saddened by the fact that David's family had not been consulted and that this tour was hurting them. I'm glad that the three remaining Monkees honored David on stage the way they did, but still think Nesmith's online antics were in horribly poor taste. I saw pictures and videos from the tour and at times it made me wish I could have been there. But, in the end I really don't think I could have sat through a whole show. The hurt is just still too raw. I came to accept the tour and I hope it was done for all the right reasons, but personally I think it was too soon and I am glad it is over. Alexis Rigby: The Monkees 2012 tour...gosh where do I start? The day TheMonkees group on facebook posted a picture of Micky, Peter and Mike telling us that there was a special announcement coming up I think I felt my heart stop. I felt so many emotions. I was excited and insulted. I'd hear one thing but then I'd hear another. But I knew in my heart Davy would want the show to go on. I got to meet a few Monkee fans and that's what truthfully made the show fun for me. We ran around the Lakewood Civic Auditorium/High School looking for a way into the show. Of course we didn't find a way it would figure lol! I suppose I should talk about the show now hm? When the lights dimmed and the theme started playing I burst into tears. Micky, Peter and Mike came out and I was just a sobbing mess. The people around me must have thought me to be crazy! I know my younger brother did. I thought the show was good, it lacked the energy that we saw in 2011 but it was also very solemn. The tributes they did to Davy were extremely fitting. And when we sang Daydream Believer, we made Mike Nesmith cry. I haven't heard any other accounts of him crying, but he was crying at this show. I think Davy would be proud of the guys, I'm sure he is. I'm grateful I got to see them perform. It was a memorable night I won't ever forget. After the show we chased the car they left in and it felt like I was in 1967. To get how I really feel would be a few pages in this book I'm afraid, so I'll tone it down and leave it here. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to express myself here :)

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Carpe diem! (Or how I ended up on stage with the Monkees in Escondido) By Jeanette Watkins Jungreis

hen I arrived at my seat in Escondido, I was amazed at how close it really was to the stage. With no actual first row seats in front of me, it was perfect. Prior to that evening, I had never laid eyes on Mike Nesmith, and once the show started, he was playing guitar (glittery Jimmy Choo shoes a-tapping to the music) right in front of me. I bopped and sang along mostly in my seat, delighting in finally hearing some of Mike's tunes with Mike on the lead. I noticed the girl next to me was singing and bopping along, too, and I was ecstatic to have a kindred spirit right next to me. The entire show felt very intimate, and I giggled every time I made eye contact with one of the guys. (I guess some things never change).

me saying "I'd like you to come sing along with us. Would you come up? I think you know the words." Without thinking I jumped out of my seat, handed my camera to a stranger and asked her to take pictures for me. Then we walked up the stage steps and crossed to the center where Micky was standing. Micky prodded us to begin singing, and it's a good thing that I don't have to think at all to sing "Daydream Believer." The words came springing from my lips without any effort. To the extent I was thinking anything at that moment (and you have to understand that I normally won't even get up to sing karaoke at a club after a few cocktails), I was thinking "this is really happening. Oh my gosh! I'm onstage with the Monkees!!" A couple of times Micky prompted us on the words, not that we needed the help. All it ended up doing for me was make me realize "holy **** I'm sharing a microphone with Micky Dolenz!!" When it came time to lead the audience in the sing along, I heard Davy in my head, leading the crowd as I'd seen him do so many times before. I looked out into the sea of smiling, singing, supportive faces, and I thought "Wow! This is what it's like for them!" Much too quickly it was all over, and Micky led us off the stage and blew us kisses.

The video tributes to Davy were, I felt, tastefully done, and I cried each time. Then when the familiar piano key strikes of "Daydream Believer" began, I composed myself, determined not to cry. Micky started talking about how they discussed amongst themselves how to handle the "Daydream Believer" portion of the show. At that point I figured it was going to be just an audience sing the whole way through. "Fitting," I thought. Micky kept talking and said "it doesn't belong to us anymore. It belongs to you." Then he pointed to me. "Did he just point at me?" I thought to myself. Then he motioned for me and the girl next to

I retrieved my camera, and my new friend, Rafeef, and I exchanged contact info with lots of people around us

Monkee Shines who had photos and video of our amazing few minutes standing in Davy's shoes! The rest of the show is a complete blur because I was on such an adrenaline high, it's surprising they didn't have to peel me off the ceiling. After the show, a local news reporter approached us about the experience of being on stage. I don't even remember what I told him, although I'm sure it was gushing. Only on the way home did I finally reflect on what an honor it was to in a way represent all Monkees fans in tribute to Davy. I know Davy was there in spirit--no way that man would miss opening night. In one night I went from never having

seen Mike before at all to having him and Peter playing behind me while I shared a microphone with Micky. What an awesome experience! I don't know why Micky picked us, but I'm so glad he did. I have a new friend, Rafeef, who went through the same fantastic experience with me and who understands my giddiness when I talk about it. My kids think I'm famous since I was pictured and discussed in the San Diego Tribune, and after watching me on Youtube, my three year old daughter thinks I'm in the Monkees. For a few brief moments, I was...

Micky, Rafeef, and Jeanette

Monkee Shines

From The Montreal Gazette:

The Wrecking Crew: the best documentary you haven’t (yet) seen By Bernard Perusse

t’s hard for a serious student of rock n’ roll to accept that the superb documentary film The Wrecking Crew is still, essentially, unavailable for public viewing.

7 o’clock in the morning, be at Universal from 9 `til noon, now you’re at Capitol Records at 1, you’ve just got time to get there, and then you’ve got a jingle at 4, and then we were on a date with somebody at 8 and then the Beach Boys at midnight. You do that five days a week …. geez, man, you get burned out,” he says.

Haven’t heard of it? Then it’s probably best to start with the group that gave the film its name.

The toll the constant work took on the family lives of the principals is, in fact, a recurring theme in the film.

The Wrecking Crew consisted of about 20 session musicians, who played in various combinations on just about every hit recorded on the West Coast during the 1960s, and even a bit beyond. These ace players could quickly nail and effortlessly elevate any new song brought into the studio by the Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, the Monkees, the Mamas and the Papas, Johnny Rivers, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, the Fifth Dimension, Jan and Dean, the Carpenters, the Association, Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Wayne Newton or Nancy Sinatra, to name but a few. And that doesn’t even touch the one-hit wonders. Themes for TV hits like Bonanza and Hawaii 5-0? That was them.

As Pitman speaks, shots of Los Angeles studio landmarks like Capitol Records, Sunset Sound Recorders and Coast Recorders fly by. The film was made by Denny Tedesco, son of Wrecking Crew guitarist Tommy Tedesco, after his dad died in 1997 (A round-table reunion of four key players – with Tedesco Sr., powerhouse drummer Hal Blaine, sax man Plas Johnson and brilliant bassist Carol Kaye swapping memories in 1996 – anchors the film). Brian Wilson, Herb Alpert, Cher, Micky Dolenz, Roger McGuinn, Dick Clark, Nancy Sinatra, Glen Campbell and Gary Lewis are among those who share reminiscences and sing the praises of the hotshot players, who also included Don Randi, Earl Palmer, Billy Strange, Al Casey, Leon Russell, Joe Osborn, Barney Kessell and Howard Roberts. They slammed down Mr. Tambourine

Most famously, they were all over classic records by the Beach Boys and Phil Spector’s immortal productions. During the documentary, guitarist Bill Pitman, who will turn 93 next month, gives a fascinating summary of what an average day was like for these musicians. “You’d leave the house at

Monkee Shines Man, on which McGuinn was the only Byrd in the studio, in a few takes, The other Byrds were resentful, but as McGuinn points out in the film, when the band itself did its own playing on the follow-up hit, Turn! Turn! Turn!, the recording took 77 takes.

fest? Money, of course. Tedesco, the director, reportedly maxed out his credit cards and mortgaged his house to finish the film, but he has had to resort to raising money online because the cost of using the music – which is so crucial to the story – on a commercial release is prohibitive.

The glory days and the decline of the session scene are chronicled through the stories of the key members, with the killer soundtrack to end all killer soundtracks running through the film, featuring only hits with Wrecking Crew backing. Guaranteed, you will recognize every one.

Tedesco has had to deal with some 400 copyright holders who want compensation to licence the hits used in the film. Last April, he told the New York Times he was about $175,000 away from seeing the light. (Screenings at film festivals fall under different rules, according to the Times article, as nonprofit showcases.)

The film is a wonderful companion piece to Standing In the Shadows of Motown, the 2002 documentary that tried to right a similar historical wrong by celebrating the Funk Brothers, who played, uncredited, on Motown’s greatest chartbusters. Crediting session musicians was just not done in the 1960s.

You can’t blame the music business for wanting payment for the use of lucrative recordings. Still, Tedesco – and music lovers everywhere – ended up on the sorry end of this one.

So why can’t you see this film, which was completed in 2008 and has wowed audiences at film fest after film

MONTREAL, QUE.: June 05, 2012 -- (UNDATED) - Carol Kaye and Bill Pitman on guitar at Gold Star, circa 1963. Courtesy of GAB Archive/Redferns.