When Hendrix rocked with The Monkees
At the peak of their fame, The Monkees were selling out shows packed with screaming pre-teens and their parents. Members such as Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith admired Hendrix’s artistry—Dolenz had seen him play in New York—and invited him to join their U.S. tour. For The Monkees, it was a move to gain credibility; for Hendrix’s team, it was a chance to reach huge audiences.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
When Hendrix rocked with The Monkees
Unlikely pairing: Fresh from his Monterey Pop triumph, Hendrix was added to The Monkees’ summer tour for U.S. exposure, despite their vastly different fanbases.
Crowd disconnect: Monkees’ young fans often shouted for the headliners during Hendrix’s sets, leaving him frustrated and out of place.
Early exit: Hendrix quit after eight dates, with colorful rumors about the split overshadowing the reality of an ill-matched bill.
Setting the stage: Hendrix before America
By the time Jimi Hendrix returned to the United States, he had already stunned audiences across Europe, earning praise from rock luminaries like Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton. His explosive performance at the Monterey Pop Festival showcased his blend of blues, rock, and dramatic stage antics, prompting his management to pursue bold opportunities to grow his American fanbase. Parade +1
He was doing everything—the Blues, rock, and things I still can’t name. He was playing the guitar with his teeth, behind his back, on the floor… it was unbelievable.
Pete Townshend
jimihendrix.com
The Monkees phenomenon
At the peak of their fame, The Monkees were selling out shows packed with screaming pre-teens and their parents. Members such as Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith admired Hendrix’s artistry—Dolenz had seen him play in New York—and invited him to join their U.S. tour. For The Monkees, it was a move to gain credibility; for Hendrix’s team, it was a chance to reach huge audiences. bestclassicbands.com +1
A mismatch in sound and audience
From the opening show in Jacksonville, Florida, the pairing revealed its flaws. Hendrix’s raw, psychedelic rock clashed with the pop sensibilities of Monkees fans, who often chanted “We want The Monkees!” or “Where’s Davy?” during his set. Parents were unsettled by his suggestive stage moves and songs like “Foxy Lady,” while Hendrix became increasingly frustrated by the lack of connection. americansongwriter.com +2
Jimi would amble out onto the stage, fire up the amps and break out into ‘Purple Haze,’ and the kids in the audience would instantly drown him out with ‘We want Daaavy!’ God, was it embarrassing.
Mickey Dolenz
americansongwriter.com +1
The breaking point: Forest Hills exit
At Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in Queens, New York, Hendrix decided he had enough. Mid-performance, he flipped off the crowd, put down his guitar, and walked offstage. Soon after, he and manager Chas Chandler negotiated his departure, while rumors spread that he was removed for being ‘too erotic’—a claim fueled by a fabricated publicity story involving the Daughters of the American Revolution. bestclassicbands.com +2
Firstly they gave us the ‘death’ spot on the show – right before the Monkees were due on. The audience just screamed and yelled for the Monkees. Finally, they agreed to let us go on first and things were much better. We got screams and good reaction, and some kids even rushed the stage. But we were not getting any billing – all the posters for the show just screamed out – MONKEES. Then some parents who brought their young kids complained that our act was vulgar. We decided it was just the wrong audience. I think they’re replacing me with Mickey Mouse!
Jimi Hendrix
jimihendrix.com
Aftermath and legacy
Hendrix quickly moved on to club gigs in New York and then his own tour. The Monkees continued theirs, while the ill-fated pairing became a quirky chapter in rock history. For Hendrix, the experience highlighted the importance of aligning artist and audience, adding to his reputation as a performer unwilling to compromise his music. openculture.com +1
Unlikely pairing: Fresh from his Monterey Pop triumph, Hendrix was added to The Monkees’ summer tour for U.S. exposure, despite their vastly different fanbases.
Crowd disconnect: Monkees’ young fans often shouted for the headliners during Hendrix’s sets, leaving him frustrated and out of place.
Early exit: Hendrix quit after eight dates, with colorful rumors about the split overshadowing the reality of an ill-matched bill.
Setting the stage: Hendrix before America
By the time Jimi Hendrix returned to the United States, he had already stunned audiences across Europe, earning praise from rock luminaries like Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton. His explosive performance at the Monterey Pop Festival showcased his blend of blues, rock, and dramatic stage antics, prompting his management to pursue bold opportunities to grow his American fanbase. Parade +1
He was doing everything—the Blues, rock, and things I still can’t name. He was playing the guitar with his teeth, behind his back, on the floor… it was unbelievable.
Pete Townshend
jimihendrix.com
The Monkees phenomenon
At the peak of their fame, The Monkees were selling out shows packed with screaming pre-teens and their parents. Members such as Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith admired Hendrix’s artistry—Dolenz had seen him play in New York—and invited him to join their U.S. tour. For The Monkees, it was a move to gain credibility; for Hendrix’s team, it was a chance to reach huge audiences. bestclassicbands.com +1
A mismatch in sound and audience
From the opening show in Jacksonville, Florida, the pairing revealed its flaws. Hendrix’s raw, psychedelic rock clashed with the pop sensibilities of Monkees fans, who often chanted “We want The Monkees!” or “Where’s Davy?” during his set. Parents were unsettled by his suggestive stage moves and songs like “Foxy Lady,” while Hendrix became increasingly frustrated by the lack of connection. americansongwriter.com +2
Jimi would amble out onto the stage, fire up the amps and break out into ‘Purple Haze,’ and the kids in the audience would instantly drown him out with ‘We want Daaavy!’ God, was it embarrassing.
Mickey Dolenz
americansongwriter.com +1
The breaking point: Forest Hills exit
At Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in Queens, New York, Hendrix decided he had enough. Mid-performance, he flipped off the crowd, put down his guitar, and walked offstage. Soon after, he and manager Chas Chandler negotiated his departure, while rumors spread that he was removed for being ‘too erotic’—a claim fueled by a fabricated publicity story involving the Daughters of the American Revolution. bestclassicbands.com +2
Firstly they gave us the ‘death’ spot on the show – right before the Monkees were due on. The audience just screamed and yelled for the Monkees. Finally, they agreed to let us go on first and things were much better. We got screams and good reaction, and some kids even rushed the stage. But we were not getting any billing – all the posters for the show just screamed out – MONKEES. Then some parents who brought their young kids complained that our act was vulgar. We decided it was just the wrong audience. I think they’re replacing me with Mickey Mouse!
Jimi Hendrix
jimihendrix.com
Aftermath and legacy
Hendrix quickly moved on to club gigs in New York and then his own tour. The Monkees continued theirs, while the ill-fated pairing became a quirky chapter in rock history. For Hendrix, the experience highlighted the importance of aligning artist and audience, adding to his reputation as a performer unwilling to compromise his music. openculture.com +1
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I wonder if they ever jammed together.
I believe I read that tork and nesmith did, but am unaware of any recordings. frank zappa also worked with the monkees on the movie head.
I saw The Monkees at the Hollywood Bowl during that tour. One of my friends had tickets and asked if I wanted to go. We were only about 14 so his father had to drive us. Hendrix was off the show by then. All I really remember is thousands of screaming girls. They didn't stop during the whole concert. We couldn't hear any of the music. It was horrible.
My close friend and client from years later, the great studio musician Hal Blaine, was the drummer on The Monkees records.
I was barely walking.
You're not a Boomer.
Nope... A GenX, latchkey kid that grew up with the TV as a babysitter. No teen concerts, but I remember seeing The Empire Strikes Back with my cousin at the local theater when I was 14.
By the time I was 20 I had already seen the Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead a few times, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Joni Mitchell a couple of times, the Allman Brothers, Leon Russell, the Youngbloods, Hot Tuna, Elton John at UCLA on his first U.S. tour, the Mothers of Invention a couple of times, Jethro Tull, Little Feat, It's A Beautiful Day (ever hear of them?) and a bunch of others. We all loved going to concerts and tickets were cheap. The first time I saw the Jefferson Airplane was a free concert in Griffith Park in L.A. in 1969 with a couple of other San Francisco groups you probably don't know.
My first concert was the Beach Boys at the MN State Fair in 1983. I was 17. When I was 20 and 21 serving at White Sands Missile Range in NM, I got to see White Snake, Motley Crue and Iron Maiden at the El Paso colosseum and Sting at on the Las Cruces campus auditorium. I had tickets for Stevie Nicks, but that concert was canceled.
I am not much of a concert goer. I like sitting in my recliner listening to music early in the morning before my wife gets out of bed. I have a really sweet sound system.
I saw the Beach Boys at the Hollywood Palladium, a small concert venue, in 1973. I just checked the date for that concert and I was still 19. It was the best concert I have ever been to. In years since I have been to a lot of other concerts, everything from Aretha to Smokey Robinson to Clapton and Winwood and many others. I saw the Grateful Dead several more times. I saw Brian Wilson perform the entire Pet Sounds album at the Hollywood Bowl with his great backing band at the time, the Wondermints, and the L.A. Philharmonic orchestra. I saw Brian perform another time with the Wondermints.
We also used to go to a lot of classical music concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and other venues.
I just remembered that I saw Springsteen at a taping of a TV show in about 1972-73, before he was famous or I had ever heard of him. Great show.
I saw the Knack at a small club in L.A. before they had a record out. I was sent to scout them for the music management company I was working with at the time. I strongly encouraged the company to pursue them because they were so great, but they were trying to sign another group at the time who was already getting radio play.
I've been in recording studios quite a few times for recording sessions. I love that. One of my friends is working on a project now and I might go hang out one day while they are recording.
I went to a lot of concerts over the years, but we haven't been to any concerts for several years now. I haven't been to any since the Covid thing and now we don't like to go out at night much anymore. I have "listening sessions" a few times a week at home playing stuff I like on YouTube. Old stuff and new.
Some more: I saw McCartney with Wings in concert a couple of times in the 70's. I met and had a nice time talking with Wings first drummer, Denny Seiwell, at a friend's birthday party a few years ago. Great guy. Funny as heck. Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Charlie Watts, the Rolling Stones drummer, were also there for a while. I never saw the Stones or the Who in concert. I saw Sam and Dave perform one night in the 80's at a small club near where I live. Original R&B heroes.
A few years ago I met a cool couple that lived an hour away. He was a huge Dead Head and had shadowboxed all the concert tees he had collected over the years and hung them on the walls. It was an impressive collection.
He told me a story that happened in the '70s when he was 14... he and a girl he was dating decided to do some hitchhiking across country. They weren't thinking as 14 year olds sometimes do and they found themselves in the middle of nowhere WI as it was snowing and they had no coats. He said they were shivering on an empty country road when a fancy black car pulled up and a nice couple told them to get in. They took them to the next town, fussed over than and fed them at a restaurant. Before they parted they had also bought them warm winter coats. The couple was Sonny Bono and Cher.
I've gone retro, back to my old daily winter uniform from the 70's. a grateful dead american beauty teeshirt under a flannel, levi's, nikes ... although back then it was adidas clam shells or hiking boots ...
The last Grateful Dead concert I went to was actually in 1976. I probably saw them about 12 times. I saw them one time for a New Year's Eve concert at the Winterland Auditorium in San Francisco. It could have been 1972. I went with some friends. The Dead came on at midnight and played until about 6-6:30 a.m. I went up in the seats and fell asleep. I don't remember who the opening acts were.
That was nice of Sony and Cher.