The Catalina Island Museum announced today that the legendary rock n’roll drummer and singer Micky Dolenz of The Monkees will be a featured participant in the museum’s symposium dedicated to the British Invasion.  

 

“I am absolutely thrilled that Micky Dolenz accepted our invitation to be a guest at the symposium,” Michael De Marsche, the museum’s Executive Director stated during the announcement.   “We have an incredible lineup of speakers that includes Spencer Davis, Peter Asher, Emperor Roscoe and Martin Lewis. Micky now takes us over the top.”

 

Singing the vocals on such hits as “Last Train to Clarksville” and “I’m a Believer,“ The Monkees enjoyed a string of hit singles during 1966 and 1967. The television series starring Dolenz, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork and Davy Jones was inspired by The Beatles’ film A Hard Day’s Night, and the overwhelming success of The Monkees in recordings, concerts, television and radio made clear that the demographic of America had undergone a dramatic shift.   Teenagers were now a major force in defining the direction of the entire entertainment industry. Although playing their own instruments and often writing their own songs, the group grew frustrated with their lack of creative control over their music. In an attempt to reflect the enormous cultural changes that were occurring in 1967, the group went psychedelic and starred in their own film, Head. It was the death knell of the group. But Dolenz had proven himself to be not only a superb singer but also a versatile comedian and actor. During the ensuing years after The Monkees’ initial success, Dolenz embarked on a solo career and often re-united in concert with fellow Monkees Peter Tork and Davy Jones. Indeed, Monkees hits and even the television series have endured the test of time, and the group continues to be recognized as one of the most influential bands of the 1960s. But the Monkees have yet to be elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; an almost unimaginable oversight, and an area of neglect made all the more poignant after the recent death of Davy Jones.

 

“The symposium is the first of its kind,” De Marsche says, “and will examine the movement of the blues from America to Britain and back to America during the British invasion of the 1960s. Micky and The Monkees received the blues when it returned. Micky will lend tremendous insight into exactly how American musicians were influenced by British bands like Peter and Gordon, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Spencer Davis Group. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only see but interact with such a large group of personalities that made rock history.”

The Catalina Island Museum Presents The British Invasion Rocks America will take place on Saturday, June 30 at 4:00 p.m. in the theater of the Avalon Casino. Immediately following the symposium at 6:30 p.m., symposium participants will be available for a signing in the museum’s Harbor Room. Admission is free to the public. The opening reception for the exhibition Gimme Some Lovin’: The Spencer Davis Group will take place at 6:00 p.m in the museum.   Spencer Davis and the Catalina Island All-Stars will perform during a Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks at The Point at the Avalon Casino. The concert begins at 6:00 p.m.

 

For more information or to purchase tickets to the symposium, exhibition or concert, the museum may be reached by phone at 310-510-2414 or at its website: CatalinaMuseum.org.

 

The Catalina Island Museum is Avalon’s sole institution devoted to art, culture and history. The museum, its digital theater and store are located on the ground floor of Avalon’s historic Casino and are open 7 days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.