Micky Dolenz is a very familiar name in music circles and has been since the 1960’s. As one quarter of The Monkees, he achieved huge global hits with “Last Train To Clarksville”, “I’m A Believer”, “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You” and “Daydream Believer”, as well as co-starring in their own TV series, which spawned the catchy theme tune, “Hey Hey We’re The Monkees”.

After the group split up, Micky forged his own solo career that has produced over a dozen albums and chart hit singles since the mid 1970’s. His latest collection finds Micky recording his own interpretations of some classic R.E.M. songs on “Dolenz Sings R.E.M.”, lead by the single “Shiny Happy People”. The album follows his own tribute to fellow Monkee Michael Nesmith in 2021 on the album “Dolenz Sings Nesmith”, released just prior to his death in December 2021.

“Shiny Happy People” was a top ten hit on both sides of the Atlantic for R.E.M. in 1991 and featured the vocals of The B52’s Kate Pierson. Now a sprightly 78 years of age, Dolenz views the song as a Country-Pop tune with more than a hint of The Monkees thrown in for good measure, but loosing none of the style of R.E.M’s original execution of the song.

Micky Dolenz 1966

Micky Dolenz 2023

“Dolenz Sings R.E.M.” is released on 3rd November on 7a Records