For some, he's a household name, face, sound — and a one-of a-kind presence.

  • Micky Dolenz was singer, drummer of 1960s band The Monkees
  • He's playing back-to-back shows in The Villages on Saturday
  • Dolenz shared stories with Spectrum News Reporter Allison Walker Torres

Micky Dolenz is the voice behind the 1960s hits “Last Train to Clarksville” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday.”

The legendary member of The Monkees is in Central Florida for two back-to-back Saturday performances in The Villages.

But in advance, you’ll find him singing karaoke Friday night for a “Make-A-Wish” benefit.

As for the Villages shows, he'll be performing at 5 and 8 p.m. at the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. Dolenz says it will be jam-packed with Monkees hits — but expect to hear a story, and song, by Chuck Berry.

“I had a private audition,” he told us of the 1965 casting call for a TV show based on a rock band. “You had to be able to play an instrument. I played guitar at the time. And, yeah, my audition piece — I do it in my show and I tell the story — I’m going to do this old Chuck Berry tune for you called Johnny B. Goode.”

Did you know he makes furniture? What about the fact that a three-month stay in England turned into a 12-year residency?

Watch our unedited video in the section up top for our one-on-one with Micky Dolenz.


Micky Dolenz (on drums) gained fame as a member of the 1960s band The Monkees. (File)