Imagine a legendary musician celebrating six decades of a groundbreaking TV show and band that, against all odds, became a global phenomenon. But here’s where it gets controversial: Micky Dolenz, the iconic Monkees frontman, kicked off his 60 Years of the Monkees tour with a bold move—covering Jimi Hendrix’s Purple Haze. Yes, you read that right. And this is the part most people miss: Dolenz didn’t just play the song; he cut it short, mimicking the cries of teenage fans from the 1960s who famously booed Hendrix when he opened for the Monkees. Talk about a trip down memory lane!
On February 12, 2026, at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California, Dolenz delivered a staggering 32-song set that was equal parts nostalgia, tribute, and musical daring. The show was split into two acts and an encore, showcasing the Monkees’ biggest hits, deep cuts, and unexpected covers. From the opening notes of (Theme From) The Monkees to the closing chords of I’m a Believer, Dolenz proved why his legacy endures. But it was his Hendrix cover that stole the spotlight—a cheeky nod to a bizarre chapter in rock history when Hendrix, the guitar god, was booted from the Monkees’ tour after just a week. Did the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) really force Hendrix off the tour? The debate rages on, and Dolenz’s performance reignites the conversation.
Act one was a whirlwind of Monkees classics, including Last Train to Clarksville, I Wanna Be Free, and Randy Scouse Git. Dolenz even brought family into the mix, with his daughter Coco taking lead vocals on I Wanna Be Free. Act two dove deeper into the Monkees’ catalog, featuring cult favorites like Porpoise Song (from the polarizing 1968 film Head) and Circle Sky. Dolenz also paid heartfelt tribute to his late bandmates—Michael Nesmith, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork—by covering Different Drum, a song Nesmith wrote for the Monkees but was rejected by TV producers. (Fun fact: It later became a hit for the Stone Poneys with Linda Ronstadt.)
But here’s the real question: Why did Dolenz choose to cover Hendrix, and what does it say about the Monkees’ legacy? Was it a playful jab at the band’s manufactured origins, or a celebration of their unexpected evolution into bona fide rock stars? Let’s discuss in the comments!
The tour, running through November, is more than just a greatest hits parade. It’s a reflection on Dolenz’s shapeshifting career—from TV star to musician, actor, and beyond. As he put it, ‘Much of what I’ve been able to share with the world has come from this thing called ‘The Monkees’—this wacky musical-comedy TV show about a band struggling for success. On the show, the Monkees never actually made it. Off-screen, however, we sold out concerts all over the world.’ This tour is his chance to celebrate that joy and share it with fans old and new.
So, what do you think? Is Dolenz’s Hendrix cover a stroke of genius or a risky move? And how does the Monkees’ legacy hold up 60 years later? Sound off below—we want to hear your take!
