An accomplished songwriter before performing on The Monkees TV show, Michael has created many solo albums, has been credited with creating the concept behind MTV, won the first ever grammy award for video with "Elephant Parts", created the TV sequel "Television Parts", has run a video company, has produced movies such as "Tape Heads" and "Timerider", and still performs live in solo concert shows on occasion. He was not available when the reunions of the 80's took place, although he appeared with the group on occasion. His newest work is called "The Garden", a CD of music with a booklet to be read at the same time, providing a new sensory experience.
To write to Michael: Michael Nesmith, Rt. 1, Box 133, Santa Fe NM 87501
E-Mail Michael at: Mike Nesmith
Most popular Monkees songs: Listen to the Band, Papa Gene's Blues, You just may be the one, What am I doin' hangin' round?
Mike had always been a troubled child, perhaps the result of his parents broken marriage. "I'm a streetfighter," he said. "Always have been. I grew up with hotrods and fists and all that horseshit." At a young age he had an accident with a friend. Mike's friend accidentally smashed his right hand with a sledgehammer. He ran home screaming, only to find his house empty, his mother being at work. He passed out from the pain, but when he woke, his mother had taken care of his hand. She never took him to a hospital because of their religious beliefs. They were Christian Scientists, and preferred not to have any medical assistance. As a result of the accident, Mike loss the use of one finger on his right hand and is not able to make a complete fist. Bette bought her son a guitar to help with the dexterity of his fingers and perhaps to keep him out of trouble. Music soon became a large part of his life. Mike taught himself to play and was writing his own tunes in no time. He enrolled in classes at San Antonio College where he studied history, and where he met two very important people in his life, Phyllis Barbour and John London. John London was a bass player and the two began performing together on campus. They soon moved to a local club called The Rebel before making the move to Los Angeles. Phyllis went with Mike to California and became his first wife.
~ born in Dallas, Texas on December 30, 1942
~ has no siblings
~ stands a stately 6'1"
~ took up guitar ony two years before becoming a Monkee
~ recorded for Colgems before joining the Monkees as Michael Blessing
~ had the wool hat before the Monkees
~ buying out of the Monkees contract bankrupted him
~ has been married twice (is now single!)
~ has four children: Christian, Jonathan, Jason, and Jessica
~ has recorded some very successful solo albums, including a lot of very country-ish music and experimental music such as "The Garden"
~ is credited as having contributed toward the invention of MTV
~ his mother invented "Liquid Paper", leaving Mike very financially comfortable
~ wrote and produced the Monkees most recent television special
~ has done a lot of other very successful things
Copyright © 2000 Louise Ward
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