Micky Dolenz on the time Jimi Hendrix opened for The Monkees

Micky Dolenz
Micky Dolenz (Image credit: Jeff Golden - Getty)

Micky Dolenz has reflected on the time that The Jimi Hendrix Experience opened for The Monkees.

The vocalist and drummer was speaking on the new episode of AXS TV’s Mixtape show, which will be broadcast on Halloween at 8.30pm ET.

In a preview clip, Dolenz explains just how the unlikely partnership came about – and it all stemmed from seeing Jimi in 1967.

Dolenz says: “At the time, we were looking for an opening act. I’m at the Monterey Pop Festival and all of a sudden these three guys come on stage in all these psycho-jello clothes and stuff, and they just looked incredible. That was, of course, The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

“I suggested to the producers of our show that would be a really cool opening act because they were very theatrical and The Monkees was this theatrical act.”

Dolenz adds: “I guess they liked the idea, our producers liked the idea, so sure enough a few months later we’re opening up and Jimi is the opening act. 

“He did six or eight shows with us, and he was a great guy, a great kid. We had a lot of fun.”

On Thursday night's episode, Dolenz also reveals how he learned to play drums, chats about his musical influences, and talks about his tour It Was Fifty Years Ago Today – A Tribute to The Beatles’ White Album.

The shows see Dolenz joined onstage by various artists including Christopher Cross, Todd Rundgren, Jason Scheff and Joey Molland.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald newspapers, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.