It's Always Sunny in the Funky Anne Frank Room: June 2011

day 394

It was like that but BETTER because I was there! For my fans who know me well you know there are a handful of things in this wacky world that make me immensely happy. The snap of the Snapple cap, Bill Murray films, giggling my pants off with old friends, swinging on swings at the playground, music in its various forms, beautiful poetry and The Monkees. Yes, you read it correctly, THE MONKEES. Now some may stand back and say "Why The Monkees?" To which I say "WHY NOT!!?!" I mean they've outlived most of the Royal Family AKA The Beatles, their TV show is fucking hilarious! Their music is FUN and they invoke a wonderful lively spirit in all those that get them and love them. Simple music, simple ideas, simple laughs and simply just F-U-N!

I am a true Monkee Junkee as you may have read from a previous post back in September 2010. When the chips were down as a young girl The Monkees always cheered me up. Whether it was the TV show or the music, they made me unbelievably happy. They still do. No doctor in the world could explain just how I recovered so very quickly from an illness in 1987 that caused me to be hospitalized. But, it was The Monkees. I had my music with me in the hospital and re-runs on the TV to keep me alive. It may sound silly but it's totally true and if you're a fan you know what I am talking about.

So last night I went to see The Monkees in concert yet again. It was the 45th Anniversary tour but to me, I was 4 years old all over again enjoying re-runs on TV. It was simply a magical night because now after all these years of digging The Monkees I had finally succeeded in meeting them one on one in very unique ways. So now, NOW I could get finally just sit back and enjoy the show. Well, I didn't sit back very much but I certainly did enjoy the show. Oh boy did I ever!

Normally I would have arrived at the theater at least an hour before the show but my partner in crime this particular evening was coming from work and we just did not have the luxury of time on our side. I actually preferred this method because it gave me less time to think and it also gave my knotted up tummy a break. As we entered the theater all the saliva had drained from my mouth due to excitement. I enter silently with a big ass grin on my face. I was rather calm on the outside but inside my heart beat faster than a humming birds. My partner in crime could attest to this. I commented that the ambulance outside was in case I fainted. I almost did on July 26th 1996 when Micky Dolenz said "Hi" to me. Almost.
Yes it was much better to arrive when we did because I could not pout if the seats were not to my liking. I do that sometimes. Normally I don't care where I sit during a concert but when it's The Monkees I need to be close because I always say "This could be the very last time I see them LIVE and in person." I said it back in 1986 and I said last night. Monkees, like regular humans grow older and slow down and get tired of life on the road. So, you never know and you need to have good seats.

As we waited in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG line just to get a t-shirt I was touched by the little boy about age 7 in the tye-dye who said "That's all they have is t-shirts!?" because I felt the same way. No programs, no pins, nothing, just shirts, an over priced poster and a onsie. A onsie! SERIOUSLY!? You know your Monkees are grandparents when you see a Monkees onsie at the merchandise table. The little boy in line was more excited by the chocolate chip cookies he saw behind the merchandise table than the shirts. I was starting to feel the same way and I am a diabetic for Pete's sake! The shirts weren't the best because I DID NOT DESIGN THEM! They never call me in situations like this, I don't know why they don't call me.   The same thing happens at most concerts. Except Tori Amos, she always gets the shirts right but she is a goddess and not human at all. (bow your heads for a moment of reverence for Tori.)

So back to the long line and the long wait and my humming bird heart beat. I was getting nervous because it was 7:25PM and the show starts at 7:30PM and it's proper etiquette to get the shirt before the show. I have been going to concerts for over 30 years so I know how it works. Then I heard a drum beat and a tambourine jingle and I just took off like a rocket ship and worked my way into that theater. There was not time for manners, I just had to go find my seat. This isn't like Damien Rice in which you are so mesmerized by the moment that there is no need to find your seat no, this is The Monkees and you need to be THERE for the moment.

THIS IS HERE!

Thank goodness my partner in crime was fast on the feet and was able to keep up with me. We got seated and then the greatest thing that has happened to me this year not including meeting Lewis Black or seeing Henry Rollins AGAIN, there they were, The Monkees. Well, 3 of them. Mike Nesmith is a Monkee but Mike is not into the touring thing. I get it, I respect it and I still love him despite the fact that I think it would be cool if he could just do it once. If not just for me but for the scads of fans who love him and his music.

There they were, my old friends, my boys! Three gentlemen who simply touch my funny bone and even my heart sometimes. I love them as if they were this family I am friends with known as My Other Family. Oh if My Other Family only knew that I loved them as much as I loved The Monkees. Maybe they do. If they don't I shall tell them the next time I see them.   The backdrop of the stage at the Hershey Theater was a large movie screen that displayed many images of The Monkees in younger years, TV show clips, as well as clips from their 1968 movie HEAD. It was really far-out. At first is was a little much to take in but after 11 minutes into the show when the heart slowed down by 3 beats my eyes were able to focus on it all. Our seats were perfect, right in the middle, 18 rows back from the stage. That is a perfect distance for me. Not too close and not too far, just right. The seat number and the row both added up to 9 so it made things magical.

The boys played some familiar songs and some rarities too that only true fans know. I knew them all and was thrilled at hearing some favorites played live for the very first time. All of Your Toys is a favorite of mine that never made it to my favorite Monkees album Headquarters but it did eventually make it to a b-side collection called Missing Links. I LOVE THAT DAMN SONG!! The boys were hilarious on stage and talked about their songs and some of the song writers. I gave a hearty and very loud shout when Peter mentioned Harry Nilson. I am a big Nilson fan! How could you not be?

When the boys started to perform songs from their movie HEAD I got a little teary eyed. As We Go Along is one of those songs that I have chosen for my memorial service because it sums it all up. Sometimes when the world gets crazier than usual I forget the lyrics to As We Go Along and then I must pause and remember them because it's what's happening, it's what it's all about. The die hard fans get it. So yeah, I cried.

Micky has always been my favorite Monkee. I mean, I love them all very much but Micky makes me laugh just a little more. Vocally he stood out from the other two last night.   Peter and Davy were fantastic as always and Davy Jones has not lost his groove! That man can still dance! He kicked ass with Daddy's Song and She Hangs Out. The crowd went totally bonkers for Mr. Jones!! I was loving it too and I was missing some of my old concert going pals who live far away now. I thought of them often during the show especially when the boys were acting silly and doing their little bits.   The house lights went up often during the show so fans could stand up and dance and do whatever it is that fans do when house light go up. One particular young lady was dressed in mod sixties garb and dancing her little heart out. She was simply adorable and she reminded me of a dear little friend of mine who is also a BIG Monkee fan. I started to miss my friend terribly when I saw this little lady. During the song She Hangs Out, Davy motioned for the girl to come up to the stage and she did. She could REALLY dance! At first I thought this was a bit and she was part of the tour.

She Hangs Out and she goes by Valleri Jones on Facebook.

Later I did some research and found out she was a 16 year old high school student named Alexandra from Etters PA who is a HUGE Monkees fan. She considers Davy Jones to be her heartthrob idol. How sweet is that??!! The day tickets went on sale one of her teachers let her order her tickets while she was in class. NOW THAT'S A GOOD EDUCATOR! We need more teachers like that teaching our young people that sometimes The Monkees take precedence over learning. Being an educator myself I find The Monkees to be a learning tool for the young but that is a blog for another time.

There were many costume changes during the show too. Well, not really costumes like they wore during the 1987 tour but they changed shirts a lot which was a surprise. The Monkee sweat was a flowing last night because that theater was HOT AS BALLS! I not only had knee pit sweat but the back of my legs were dripping wet. It's kind of gross when you think about it so you need to stop thinking about it and just forge ahead.

Davy took a moment to acknowledge his friends that were in the audience. 9 months out of the year Mr. David Thomas Jones lives in Beavertown PA. He has a had a large horse farm there for over 20 years and being the genuine fellow that he is, he made a boat load of friends. One of his daughters recently married a local boy so Davy's in-laws were in the audience is well. I love knowing shit like that! Lewis Black's parents are usually in the audience when he performs near this area as are Tori Amos's parents. So that's just kind groovy to me. After this acknowledgement, he broke into It's Nice To Be With You. Another song you don't often hear at Monkee concerts and I was glad he sang it.

The show ended on a high note, I think it was a C sharp. (Monkee humor) As they played the old show ending standard Listen To The Band, Davy introduced the actually back up band. I was interested in the guitar player because he was AMAZING! It was lovely to see some old faces in that crowd but alas no Gregory Brigler AKA Red Shirt on trombone. That was a bummer. No trombonology tonight kiddies. However, 3 of the band mates are close pals with Davy and that was just delightful to hear. Off my boys went and then back again for an encore. This time Micky strapped on his guitar and they did all The Monkee radio standards. Last Train to Clarksville, A Little Bit You, A Little Bit Me, I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone, Daydream Believer, Pleasant Valley Sunday and I'm A Believer. The hi-jinx continued as they kept leaving the stage and then coming back again. It was hilarious and of FUN!

Oh and what I like to call Total Hippie Moment came about during Daydream Believer when folks started to leave their seats and head for the stage. The house lights came up and everyone sang in unity. It was amazing! This is what I am talking about and this is what I believe. The world would be a far, far better and happier place if everyone could just put down their weapons, their hate, their stupidity and silly political agendas and just SING ALONG WITH THE MONKEES. I know that sounds really, really corny but I whole heartly believe that. Some folks chuckle and gafaw when I say I love The Monkees but those that do that just don't know how lovely The Monkees are. I said it before and I will say it again, simple songs, simple ideas, simple laughs and simply fun. No deep hidden meanings, you don't have to play the record backwards to feel fulfilled. You don't need a mind altering substance to see the light or hear a message, just SING ALONG WITH THE MONKEES!

C'mon on Ann Coulter, YOU KNOW THE WORDS. . .

She doesn't but Bill O'Reilly does and yet he is still the way he is.
bummer.

Did the night end there? Of course not, it never ends once the show is over. No, with each concert or live performance of any artist comes some sort of funny story or moment. This particular night I had 3. Two were funny to me and one monumental.    Back again to the merchandise table while my partner in crime went to the bathroom. Again the line was long but I was in a calm mode and didn't care how long I had to wait. There were two gentlemen in their mid to late 50's standing near me bantering back and forth with thick Philly accents. I enjoy the Philly accent because I am from that area. I dubbed these fellows Laurel and Hardy because one was short and stout and the other was tall. So Hardy said something to Laurel and Laurel said something funny back that made me giggle. Laurel leans in to me and says "You like that. I thought that was a good one too." I just giggled again and he started to ask me about what t-shirt I was going to get as he put his hand on my shoulder. CREEPY! Then all of the sudden he thought he was my friend and pointed out some fellow wearing a Monkees 2001 tour shirt (side note: Proper Concert Etiquette Rule Number 11: Don't wear the shirt of the band you are going to see in concert. Don't be THAT person.) So I said "I saw them in 2001 and 1987 and 1986" ( I didn't mention solo performances by Peter and his band Shoe Suede Blues, or seeing Micky Dolenz at Hollywood Casinos or Davy Jones at Hershey Park Amphitheater or countless other Micky and Davy performances, I just didn't want to seem smug.)
"Oh really, you must be a big fan." to which I replied calmly, "Do fish swim? Why else would I be here." That was the tip that I was not interested in you Much Older Not Bad Looking Guy. Unfortunately he did not get that memo and he followed with the classic and very 70's "So, do you live around here?"   REALLY?! You're old enough to be a creepy uncle.    "No." I said politley, "I'm from New York."    He was stunned. "You came all the way here just to see the show?"
"I am a big fan remember." as the guy behind the merchandise table rescued me asked me what item I wanted. Certainly not Stan Laurel over there.

With shirt in hand I stepped on the toe of a teenage hippie boy because I could of sworn I saw Micky Dolenz but it was just a look-a-like. I apologized to the teenage boy and he was all cool with that. I headed outside to meet my partner in crime and we stood by the tour buses for some reason. Now I know that The Monkees would not stop to sign autographs this time around. Not only are they on a tight schedule but this particular event had a Meet and Greet involved with it.
For those of you who don't know, a Meet and Greet is where you have a chance to meet with the band or the performer either before or after the show. Most Meet and Greets are with fans chosen at random or perhaps they won this golden ticket through a radio or television promotion. This was not the case, this was a paid Meet and Greet. SERIOUSLY!??!! I mean this is just a bit of a disappointment to me. You shouldn't have to pay a dime to meet a celebrity, it should just happen. Either magically, like when I met Lewis Black or at some free concert which was the case with my 2008 Micky Dolenz encounter. Even more magically if you just bump into that person on the street. That to me is a true Meet and Greet. Not this pay $150 dollars for a seat in one of the first 5 rows, get first crack at the merchandise table and then meet the band members. As much as I love The Monkees, this was not worth the price. So yeah, I was rather disappointed when I read about this Meet and Greet ticket nonsense 3 1/2 months ago. It is just so Un-Monkeeish to me. This isn't Breakfast with Santa kids, it's The Monkees and when you meet them, it should be FOR FREE!! I can't imagine Peter Tork being behind this. Even with all his recent medical bills, no I can't imagine it at all. So whatever, and you ignore it and move on.

There we were waiting by the buses and then I finally figured out where all the saliva that was absent from my mouth at the beginning of this adventure went. It re-routed itself to my bladder and it was time to go.   My partner in crime directed me to the Restrooms. Go straight back through the lobby and then turn left. So I did just that and did what needed to by done and as I was leaving the ladies room I bumped into some little old man in a vest. Before I could even get out a proper, "Oh excuse me." He said "Oh Hello." and at that very moment my memory bank fired up to find the source of that exact audio sound bite that was so familar to me. Before I could say anything, the little old man in the vest was gone and inside my head I screamed

IT'S DAVY JONES!!!!!

Then I called out in a whisper tone to an old friend inside my head because if she were with me, she could verify what just happened. She would know that I indeed almost killed Davy Jones because I was rushing out of the toilet. I began a soft out loud conversation with myself about the little man "Was that Davy Jones?    Oh that was. . . oh that was. . . That Was. . . Was. . .THAT WAS!" A few people looked my way because that last "THAT WAS" was loud! "HOLY PAJAMAS I BUMPED INTO DAVY JONES AND MY HANDS WEREN'T EVEN TOTALLY DRY!!!", I said
inside my head because if I said it out loud their would be problems.   No, I told myself to be calm, pretend you're in an airport and they will do things to you if you freak out. So I was calm. I found the partner in crime and VERY casually said "There's Davy Jones."
"SERIOUSLY! Go talk to him!" is what I was told. Go talk to Davy Jones. That's what I heard but in my head I was thinking what could I say to him.

What would YOU say to Davy Jones? I mean there is so much you could chat about but what could I say to make him remember me. I wanted to tell him I didn't care much for his recent comment about Jimi Hendrix but that would be lame in this forum. After all Davy Jones and all of The Monkees have brought me out of deep, dark depressions and calmed my fears since I fell in love with the show and music at the tender age of 4. Thanks Mommy for saying "oh here's a funny show you might
like." one faithful Saturday morning when I was sick with a stomach flu and not in the mood for lame cartoons and Land of the Lost reruns. I needed a good laugh that morning and mom knew that. The episode
was Monkee See, Monkee Die and my world has not been the same since. So bringing up that stuff about Hendrix wouldn't be very nice.

No, I just whipped out my crappy cell phone and captured Mr. Jones talking to a fan. Peter Tork was also in the room. I know Pete, like two of my good friends know Pete so I was all cool with Pete. He walked past me and I said "Hey Pete." he smiled and said "Hey". I know he didn't remember me but that's okay man, at least he said "Hey" and at least I didn't FREAK OUT! We lingered and we watched Davy get his picture taken with these children and it was awesome. I was inches from Davy Jones and I could have said something but I just marveled at it all. He was shaking hands and talking to folks saying "I'll call you tomorrow." So THESE people aren't the 150 dollar ticket holders, these are his neighbors from Beavertown PA. How nice, they saw the show for free and those little kids got free t-shirts from Davy. I saw him hand them too the children and say "here, I have something for you." How sweet. I need to find some good real estate in Beavertown PA. I need good neighbors too you know.

All of this wonder going on around me and not for a moment did I think I was doing something illegal. I just blended in with these folks chatting with Peter and Davy and Micky was off doing Micky stuff. I thought he might be off in the bathroom but Monkees don't poop. At least not in my world they don't and if they do we don't talk about it. They are human but a different calibur or humans. Oh it's all complicated so we don't talk nor do we think about it, we just know.

I was enjoying the moments and getting ready to almost cry when some security guard asked if we had wristbands. Now, I wear a blue bracelet all the time on my left wrist that could have easily passed for the blue 150 dollar wristbands. Oh believe me, I did some investigating last night so I knew ALLLLLLLLLLL about the blue wristbands. I could have just lied and God would have been okay with that because after all it is The Monkees so it's not a sin in this case. Trust me on this one. But my "good girl who doesn't like to mess around with karma" side came out and said "No I do not." She said "you'll have to leave this area, we can't have you back here."

SERIOUSLY??!! It's come to this? Like I can't imagine Davy or Peter being dicks about me being back there and silently observing the scene. However, I was polite and I said "I'm sorry, I just had to use
the restroom and when I came out I was starstruck, wouldn't you be." She smiled and said "that's okay."
I could still see Davy, (Peter had left the area too, I guess he forgot his wristband) and Davy was still about 23 inches away from me, I just could not be in that "Special 150 Dollar Area" of the lobby.
whatever.

It didn't kill my Monkee High and we left the Sweetest Place on Earth that oddly was smelling like dead skunks instead of chocolate.
I guess the air didn't have a wristband either.

off to enjoy another sunny, SUNNY day!

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