RIP Mike Nesmith
Mike Nesmith - arguably the most talented Monkee has passed at 78
Like most of Gen X, I grew up with re-runs of The Monkees TV show, but here in Australia, Mike was most famous for this:
The ABC used to show this in breaks between programs fairly often, especially just after the end of Dr Who & before the 7pm news. One of, if not the first 'music videos' that didn't just show the musician(s) standing on a stage playing & singing, it also showed his wonderfully absurd humour... & I still hear "Reno? Why Reno" "Not Reno dummy... Rio. Rio De Janeiro!" in my head, any time someone mentions either city...
Later on, in my 20s, I began finding his wonderfully titled albums in 2nd-hand LP shops - 'Infinite Rider On The Big Dogma', 'From A Radio Engine To The Photon Wing' & others. Even later, I discovered his work with the First National Band & that he'd written 'Different Drum' - a song covered by so many country artists, including Australia's Flying Emus...
So goodbye, Mike, you'll be leaving...
Like most of Gen X, I grew up with re-runs of The Monkees TV show, but here in Australia, Mike was most famous for this:
Click to viewThe ABC used to show this in breaks between programs fairly often, especially just after the end of Dr Who & before the 7pm news. One of, if not the first 'music videos' that didn't just show the musician(s) standing on a stage playing & singing, it also showed his wonderfully absurd humour... & I still hear "Reno? Why Reno" "Not Reno dummy... Rio. Rio De Janeiro!" in my head, any time someone mentions either city...
Later on, in my 20s, I began finding his wonderfully titled albums in 2nd-hand LP shops - 'Infinite Rider On The Big Dogma', 'From A Radio Engine To The Photon Wing' & others. Even later, I discovered his work with the First National Band & that he'd written 'Different Drum' - a song covered by so many country artists, including Australia's Flying Emus...
So goodbye, Mike, you'll be leaving...