The Monkees reunite for US tour

Surviving members of 60s pop band The Monkees will perform their first live shows together in fifteen years in a US tour.

The 12-date US tour, which begins in November, will mark the band’s first tour since Davy Jones died in February, at the age of 66.

Band members Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork will perform some of the bands hit songs, including Daydream Believer and I’m a Believer.

Manchester-born lead singer Davy Jones died of a heart attack on 29 February.

The four Monkees members were brought together to star in a US television show in 1966.

The made-for-TV band – widely touted as America’s answer to the Beatles – rocketed to the top of the music charts enjoying four number one albums in a 13-month period.

The original band broke up in 1969, when Michael Nesmith quit. In 1995 all four band members reunited for a UK tour and released a new studio album the following year, entitled Justus.

Further reunion tours – without Michael Nesmith – took place in 2001 and 2011, but the last year’s tour was cut short over a reported scheduling dispute.

After announcing the upcoming tour, Michael Nesmith – who last played with the band in 1997 – told Rolling Stone Magazine he “never really left” the group.

“It is a part of my youth that is always active in my thought and part of my overall work as an artist. It stays in a special place, but like things in the past it fades in and out in relevance to activities that are current.

“Getting together with old friends and acquaintances can be very stimulating and fun and even inspiring to me. We did some good work together and I am always interested in the right time and the right place to reconnect and play,” he said.

The three surviving members of The Monkees will pay tribute to Davy Jones on tour, in a multimedia show with photographs and videos.

“David’s presence and his past will be throughout the show,” said Michael Nesmith.

“He will be missed in his absence, but very much on our minds and in our heart.”

Michael Nesmith said the setlist will be focused around the band’s third album, Headquarters – but will also include songs from Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, which have never previously been performed in concert.