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The Monkees<\/a><\/em><\/strong> was never supposed to be more than a zany sitcom about four young guys forming a band. But on Sept. 12, 1966, when the first episode aired on NBC, it quickly became something else entirely \u2014 a genuine pop culture phenomenon.<\/p>\n Fifty-nine years later, drummer and vocalist Micky Dolenz<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 the last surviving member of the group \u2014 marked the milestone with a heartfelt Instagram post<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Hard to believe it\u2019s been 59 years since The Monkees<\/em> first aired on NBC. September 12, 1966. None of us had any idea what we were getting into or how far that little show would go,\u201d Dolenz wrote.<\/p>\n RELATED: Monkees\u2019 Micky Dolenz, 80, Mourns Friend With Poignant Photo \u2014 He\u2019s the Only One in the Photo Who’s Still Alive<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n He continued with a vivid memory: “We were just four kids running around a soundstage at 6 a.m. with guitars, tambourines, paisley bell-bottoms, and way too much energy. Next thing we knew, the whole world was watching.”<\/p>\n Dolenz added that he remains grateful for the wild ride that followed: “I\u2019m forever grateful for what that show gave me, and for all of you who have kept the music and the spirit alive all these years. Here\u2019s to the memories, the madness, and everything still to come.”<\/p>\n The Monkees<\/em> sitcom only ran for two seasons before its cancellation in 1968, but the group\u2019s impact went far beyond television. With hits like “Daydream Believer\u201d and “I\u2019m a Believer,\u201d the so-called “Pre-Fab Four\u201d sold millions of records and eventually hit the road for live tours.<\/p>\n RELATED: The Monkees\u2019 Micky Dolenz Writes Poignant Tribute to Late Bandmates: \u2018Magic\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Though the original lineup disbanded in 1970, the group reunited multiple times over the decades. Dolenz, along with late bandmates Davy Jones, Peter Tork,<\/strong> and Michael Nesmith<\/strong>, brought their music to new generations through anniversary tours and special projects.<\/p>\n Jones died in 2012, Tork in 2019, and Nesmith in 2021, leaving Dolenz as the group\u2019s final torchbearer. The drummer has embraced the role wholeheartedly.<\/p>\n Dolenz turned 80 earlier this year but shows no signs of slowing down. His Songs and Stories<\/em> tour<\/a> has crisscrossed the U.S. with a mix of Monkees classics, deep cuts, and his own favorite covers.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s not just about looking back \u2014 it\u2019s about celebrating the music with people who\u2019ve made it part of their lives,\u201d he told fans on social media<\/a> earlier this year.<\/p>\n RELATED: Monkees’ Micky Dolenz Mourns ‘True Giant’ Brian Wilson<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n That same sentiment carried into his spring conversation with the Pittsburgh-area Observer-Reporter<\/a>, where he joked that at his age, he\u2019s simply “glad to be above ground.\u201d Despite the aches and pains, Dolenz likens himself to “the Energizer Bunny\u201d when he\u2019s on stage.<\/p>\n In a recent interview with Cleveland.com<\/a>, he joked that “retirement” is “a real dirty word” to him.<\/p>\n “Keep moving – a moving target\u2019s harder to hit,” quipped Dolenz. He also said that the idea for the tour came from all of the wonderful stories he has from his prolific career in show business.<\/p>\n “I’ve always told stories, usually just short little bits or asides, and I started elaborating on a couple of the stories, and people seemed to love it, and they wanted more. So, I\u2019m giving them more,” he explained.<\/p>\n His most recent release, Live at the Troubadour<\/em> (Nov. 2024), revisited Monkees staples like “Last Train to Clarksville\u201d alongside covers of legends like Chuck Berry<\/strong> and The Beatles<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n RELATED: Iconic \u201960s Rocker Micky Dolenz Talks Wild Times With Elton John, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and More<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n As Dolenz looks back on nearly six decades of music and mayhem, he continues to carry The Monkees\u2019 legacy forward \u2014 while finding new reasons to celebrate.<\/p>\n With his 59th anniversary message, Dolenz reminded fans that the Monkees\u2019 story isn\u2019t just about nostalgia; it\u2019s about energy, joy, and gratitude that\u2019s still alive today.<\/p>\n Or as he put it himself: “Here\u2019s to the memories, the madness, and everything still to come.”<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac\u00a0<\/strong>SIGN UP for Parade\u2019s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\ud83c\udfac<\/strong><\/p>\n This story was originally reported by Parade<\/a> on Sep 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the TV<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\nFrom TV Phenomenon to Musical Legacy<\/h2>\n
Still Going Strong at 80<\/h2>\n
A Legacy That Endures<\/h2>\n