Happy Birthday Micky Dolenz

George Michael Dolenz Jr. was born March 8, 1945, in Los Angeles, California. Little Micky is the son of actors George Dolenz and Janelle Johnson. There is no ‘E’ in Micky as the Dolenz family were too poor to afford the extra ‘E’. He has three sisters, Coco, Lulu, and Boom Boom. Coco was a frequent guest on the set of The Monkees TV show and sometimes a guest performer on records by the Monkees, singing background vocals or duetting with Micky.

Dolenz began his show-business career in 1956 when he starred in a children’s TV show called Monkey Boy under the name Mickey McNugget. He played Corky, an orphaned water boy who cleaned up monkey poop in a one-ring circus at the start of the 20th century. The program ran for two seasons but was cancelled after one of the monkeys attacked Micky and became amorous with the boy.

Dancin’ Fool

Dolenz suffered from Rickets as a child, affecting his hip joint and right leg, leaving that leg weaker (and shorter) than the other. This resulted in Dolenz frequently walking around in a circle. He later adapted an unorthodox drum setup: right-handed and left-footed. He also lived in a halfway house on a dead end street. Micky was an excellent dancer and Frank Zappa later write the song ‘Dancing Fool’ about him.

I don't know much about dancin'
That's why I got this song
One of my legs is shorter than the other
And both my feet's too long
'Course now right along with 'em
I got no natural rhythm
But I go dancin' every night
Hopin' one day I might get it right

The 1981 smash hit song “Mickey” was also about Dolenz. At that point he could afford the extra ‘E’. Dolenz and Basil were dating and Micky even plays the signature drums on the song:

Oh Mickey, you're so fine
You're so fine, you blow my mind
Hey Mickey, hey Mickey
Oh Mickey, you're so fine
You're so fine, you blow my mind
Hey Mickey, hey Mickey

Happy Birthday Micky Dolenz — Monkees Illustration By Paul King Art

Hey Hey We’re The Monkees

The Monkees made their Television debut September 12, 1966, on NBC. The Producers of the show put an ad in Variety magazine that stated “Looking for Young Men in Tight Pants”. 400 hopefuls and 500 weirdos showed up. Of course we know who the Producers eventually selected for the show, but did you know that the show could have had a whole different complexion? The 4 young men originally selected for the show were, John Bonham, who was eventually rejected for Micky Dolenz because his teeth were bad. Charles Manson was the original “Davy”, but the show creators and Don Kirshner objected to his swastika. Jimi Hendrix was picked for Mike, but we know what happened there, and Jim Morrison was the original Peter, but got drunk and showed his penis to the head of NBC.

The Monkees aired from 1966-1968. For a time they were the biggest band in the world. They were on every lunchbox in the country. The show was cancelled in 1968 and Don Kirshner gave him an autographed picture of himself as a going away present. Dolenz went on to do some acting, directing and even auditioned for the role of The Fonz on Happy Days. Micky still tours to this day and is sadly the last remaining Monkee.