In his latest column, the Tameside Radio presenter remembers a Monkees legend.

Sad news hit the music world last week with the passing of Mike Nesmith, of legendary 60s’ band The Monkees, at the age of 78.

Born Robert Michael Nesmith in 1942 in Texas, America, his mum was responsible for inventing Tippex, or liquid paper as it’s known in the States.

Alongside American’s Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz, and British born Davy Jones, who was born and raised in Openshaw, Manchester, The Monkees were a manufactured band who had been put together for a TV show.

They found fame with songs which had been written for them, songs that would become pop classics such as ‘I’m A Believer’ ‘Last Train To Clarksville’ and ‘Daydream Believer’.

But as their success, fame and obvious talent grew, the band took full control of their work, eventually writing music themselves.

Nesmith was responsible for writing many Monkees and solo songs such as ‘Listen To The Band’ and ‘Sunny Girlfriend’.

The Monkees initially split in 1969, but Mike Nesmith went on to have a successful career in music and television, as well as a solo career of his own, and also writing many other songs for other people such as Linda Ronstadt.

He also was the first person to have the idea of putting music promotional clips together and producing a TV show with them.

He called his idea Pop Clips, eventually selling it to Time Warner, who then took his idea and used the format, which then evolved to become MTV.

It was only last month that Nesmith and Micky Dolenz completed a final farewell Monkees tour, which would inevitably become the last live shows in which Mike Nesmith would ever perform.

The legacy he leaves will never be forgotten in the world of entertainment, music and television, and it’s another one of our musical heroes from a golden generation who we’ve now lost.

Mike Nesmith died from heart failure at his home in Carmel Valley, California, on December 10, and tributes flooded into Monkees fanzines from both fans, former colleagues, and fellow musicians.

Mike Nesmith may no longer be with us, but the music and work he leaves us with will never be forgotten.

You can listen to Dave on Tameside Radio 103.6FM on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. Click here to subscribe and catch up on previous shows.

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