Mike Nesmith Interview - The 2010 BMI Film/TV Awards

[@cynsha]

I close my eyes and listen to Mike and I'm transported back to 1966... what a glorious time.

[@marksamuelcohen]

I happenned to read the tribute that Michael Nesmith wrote upon Davy Jones untimely death. It was possibly the most single most spiritually comforting piece I have ever read. He's an amazingly deep, spiritual and intelligent individual and I have the utmost respect for him.

[@timrs2001]

Mike is still and will always be awesome. No matter what he looks like.

[@colaj2068]

Loved seeing this. It brought a smile to my face to see Papa Nez and Jason.

[@Farrah300]

I loved his Texas accent!!! He's live outside Texas for so long that it isn't as pronounced as it used to be.

[@vampyros1]

Who knew that the gag footage of Nesmith and Zappa from the late 60's would be a harbinger of things to come .... their sons working together! What a trip. I love the music of both-

[@patbo62]

Mike, u da man!

[@rockybudgeboa]

We love you Mike. You are an awesome and talented man

[@RyuBaek]

His voice is unmistakable. Sounds the same way he did 45 years ago.

[@belair90210]

Still can’t believe he’s no longer here 😢

[@eyeluvbabies11]

23 and i would still marry this man such an amazing guy!!

[@thinkblur]

FELTTT

[@LizzyTexBorden]

Mike Nesmith is awesome.

[@mikeknight4u]

The times they are a changin.... me and Mike.

[@mrmjb1960]

He's thankfully telling people he actually loves The Monkees! The fact he was more than willing to play with them again,and to direct their 1996 ABC-TV Special says way more than the things that were written about him! WELL DONE!

[@meandemjay]

IT'S NISHWASH! I still love him! I dont care that he's 20 years older than me...I'll take him ANY DAY! :)

[@regannem]

He was 63 years older than me and I would take him as well. May he rest in peace.

[@regannem]

Btw, I love your profile picture!

[@witchslaugh]

Interesting to see this, thanks for posting. He's a quirky and underrated character.

[@BeckeyGirard]

Mike looks Healthy and Happy! He was my first crush! Still handsome as can be!

[@JJWood1958]

To any of you folks with the negative comments about Mike Nesmith: Do any of you actually know this guy well enough to criticize what he has and has not done? Some of you sound like you have severe mental and/or emotional problems!

[@centipeeds4always]

He Looks Great And Sounds Great!!

[@beckisalib]

Amazing for me... not seeing Michael Nesmith, but seeing his son, Jason. I gave him his very first guitar lesson when he was about seven years old... He was in an afternoon day care program where I worked...That would have been around 1974... Wow!

[@unhooked25]

Mikes Son "Jason" is Mike all over again.

[@agirlwholovesjesus]

oh my gosh does Jason look like his dad when he smiles! loved seeing this!

[@kennedyhalfdollar]

Mike Nesmith... YOU ARE AWESOME!

[@MsPokeyman]

My Grief to the Family of David Jones. It was a shock to me and all the other Fans in the UK and America. He is in my thoughts and prayers as are his Family. LONG LIVE THE MONKEES and the remaining of the Group! FOR DAVY JONES

[@75smurfette]

It's nice to see an interview with Mike, it seems really rare. And I'm quite struck how much his son looks like Mike when he was younger.

[@josephpuma]

So many of us get hung up on how people look,how much they have aged,etc.but isn't all that immaterial?I'd much rather see Mr. Nesmith grow old naturally than to see him go the Kenny Rogers route and end up with a bad face lift.Those of us that love Mike and his music just don't care about any of that.If he were to perform again in the Houston area sometime in the future I'm there,and I'll be grateful for the opportunity to hear and see him do his thing.

[@Andraste77]

Glad to hear this. I just want Mike to be healthy and well, and feeling good. If he's got some of that old handsomeness and spark, all good! Jason seems like an intelligent, and talented guy - glad he takes after the old man in that way, but there will only ever be ONE Nez, and I want him around and healthy and wonderful for as long as possible!

[@AnitaLife27]

Papa Nez! I still love him. When I look at him, I still see the boy he was during the Monkees years. His son looks and sounds remarkably like him. So neat he's a composer for film in his own right. Very cool interview. Thanks for posting!

[@ApeLikeCreature]

Just seeing Mike here makes me smile. Love you Mike!

[@lorfna1436]

I saw him at Largo in L.A. back in August and he looked GREAT. Lost like 40 pounds. Looked like he's great good ol' self! Tall, in jeans, black t shirt and BIG NEZ GRIN.. He was Great, sounded Great and looked Great! And of course, we all gave him a standing ovation. Micky Dolenz was there too!

[@peppermeekin]

What are you talking about? I am 59 and female and I think he is a very handsome man! Even better than when he was young.

[@jake105]

@VeeVeeNorCalBabe I was lucky enough to see PM on the Wings Across America tour in Boston Garden 1976. He's the best. But, he always seemed ill at ease on camera, interviews ect. He's obviously most happy with a guitar in hand or piano. I also think it's so cool that Mike Nesmith can be seen in some Beatles home movies. He was respected among his peers from the get go.

[@Arwen1964]

I love his brown eyes.

[@dostfez]

Rockers should never grow old....they age us.

[@alisterfolson]

@ramblingringodolenz I saw them in '87 (Twice!) but no Mike....sad. I have a poster where he joined them on stage once. I saw Mike do his won songs in the 90's when he toured and came through Chicago..that was awesome! I was the only skinny mohawked punk Black-kid in there, lol (wow, things have changed!). He's my favorite Monkee no matter what. I should get the DVD box set and ween my kids on them...good clean fun

[@lorfna1436]

Mike looks A WHOLE LOT better now.. I saw him last yr in August 2011 and he had dropped abt 40 Lbs. If it werent for the silver hair, and loss of it.. you're basically looking at Good ol' Mike from back in the day, he looked as tall as ever in black prewashed jeans and Black t-shirt.. He looked great to me. I also saw Jason in that show and yeah, he may kinda look like he's that but he's not as tall as him and he doesnt have Mike's presence. STill, he's a hansome man.

[@chocolatcats]

I love this man

[@KittyinVA]

Thanks for your reply. I was not aware of his failed business ventures, but I DO know he had to pay off his Monkees contract, which he said was a burden for years. But with his brilliance and Texas pluck, he pulled ahead with the video business. As to his looking older than Davy (theEchovoices, below), he IS five years older!

[@itchycoopark2]

He looks like a man his age is supposed to look.. it's good to see him..

[@chocolatcats]

well he was born 1942 but isnt he wonderful I just love this guy

[@RingoDolenz]

@BeatleStone I agree. Nesmith is a genuine creative genius who manages to keep his feet on the ground. I've seen the Monkees twice, but never with Mike, which is a great shame. It would be fun to see all four together, but alas... I envy anyone who saw them all together in the 90's.

[@jehouse]

Gosh he has his dad's eyes!

[@darliegoddess]

Elephant Parts was brilliant.

[@TheDorr71]

@Tarn1968 I can see how Davy would be that way.Even he admitted,he "felt like a king..",because he was considered the cutest, most popular(mainly because of being British),etc. Like most performers,it went to his head.Fortunately for him,he didn't indulge too much,and survived. Mike wanted to be respected as a musician, and a songwriter. He succeeded,and knew when it was time to leave,and not rely on a T.V. show for the rest of his life.

[@dawnydawnh]

He looks great....you are right....helllllooooo it is aging and everyone will do it....actually he aged well. He is who he is...let it be. Wow, freaky how much Jason looks like his pop!

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

When I was a child, the Monkees were the first band to hold my interest. One Christmas several of my gifts were 4 Monkees albums, and the interest has never wained. Not only their songs, but the "feel good" presence which they've always had. Whether it's just "our boys", or other musicians, in addition, or the great song writers, or a combination of all, many of their songs are classics, and deserve to be. Nostalgia? Not a chance. An ongoing appreciation.

[@gli7utubeo]

Well you know, it's just nice and amazing that all four of them are still alive and kicking more or less this far down the road (Feb 17, 2012). That's more than can be said about just about all of their contemporaries and later classic groups.

[@JaredLekites]

He's aged naturally and hasn't gone to ridiculous lengths to remain youthful. He's let nature run it's course and he seems quite content.

[@quieterrps]

Much respect to Mike for doing what's in his heart and not merely swimming in the echoes of his past fame. Mickey sang most of their best hits in my opinion, but Mike was always the coolest and still is.

[@ultimtdisc]

Man, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. His boy is the spittin' image.

[@Andraste77]

He doesn't have any ill will about the Monkees, but LOOK: Out of the last 50 years of his career, only 4 of them have to do with the Monkees. He's put out albums, invented country rock, MTV, made movies, written novels, been a philanthropist, raised his kids - yet all anyone ever asks him about is the Monkees. A job he had for 4 years in his 20's. If I had a career like that to look back on, you can bet I'd be a little annoyed at only being asked about ONE job I had for 4 years in my 20's!

[@TheDorr71]

@Tarn1968 He's very wise to do so. He's an independent guy,and wants to be something other than a Monkee...

[@Andraste77]

@jsharp1701 - Well said. Jeez. It's like nobody in show business is allowed to get old like 'normal people.' Bloody hell, I give up!

[@lorfna1436]

Happy Belated Brithday Nez!! So good to see you perform at Largo back in August! Great show... He lost like 40 poungs.. looking great as ever

[@timrs2001]

Great to see his son and Frank Zappa's son are working together as Mike and Frank did.

[@TheDorr71]

@Tarn1968 I believe the other three were/are jealous of Michael.He was the most praised,considered by many the most talented,and intelligent.

[@debraleesparks]

God, I feel so old... I was expecting him to be a lot younger... he was my favorite Monkee....

[@onedayati]

Thank You.

[@Farrah300]

I'm in my mid 30s now. I agree with you. What's wrong with aging gracefully? It's like it's some kind of a sin if you don't have some procedure done.

[@HypnoToad72]

@schizoidboy - even better, Mike fought for autonomy and the songs he had written showed he had TALENT. Today's images can't be bothered and prefer to let everyone walk over their backs. Mike Nesmith rocked. (no pun intended.)

[@ShanghaiJill]

Still waiting for him to answer my fan letter from 1968.

[@nmtg]

What did you write about

[@nsvchood]

check out the compact disc Papa Nez, it has fantastic music on it.

[@RingoDolenz]

@alisterfolson I saw them in 86 in London and 10 years later in Toronto, just the other three, but on both occasions they made a point to including a little Nesmith tribute set with Peter on acoustic guitar, IIRC. I pick up video tapes now and then, often in charity shops. The episodes stand up well today, as does the music, of course. Nesmith came across as the coolest Monkee. Well, at least you got to see him!

[@onedayati]

Thank You

[@TheJlook2000]

i always find it interesting when someone rejects a phenomenon early on only to acknowledge and accept it later on - like sean connery , leonard nimoy - i think some artists need to pull away and find their feet - its only years later they feel comfortable ( or its good business ) to embrace it again .

[@MsPony65]

@josephpuma I think it may be that folks are a little shocked by Nez's appearance if they haven't seen him for a while. For example, I was just watching Elephant Parts, and happened across this video clip. Going from 1981 to 2010 is quite the time warp! But Nez will always be cool. :)

[@ultimtdisc]

How would you react to the same questions, over and over again, for almost 45 years?

[@newalm]

The ones who post negative comments is usually based on jealousy. Nesmith has a clean and successful life. He did not become a drug addict, blow his money, etc. Those who do become dopers or blow their money, these type will usually receive praise!

[@starrfisher]

he looks good

[@onemermaid]

Mike, you look great! Same sweet smile! Your son looks JUST LIKE YOU! Cool!!!

[@Jantina1980]

it is so good to see that jason is micheal nesmith's son, just put michael in his monkees time and jason like he is together and the simalarity is so precize.

[@JBro9091]

Thanks for sharing this video!

[@Barking914]

"Holy Carolie!" Have not seen him in eon's. Is it not funny how you have a mental picture of some one in life that sticks, then fast forward 40 years and that is them today. WOW, Mike as the creative of the 4 lads from LA. Still has the "tude". The man of mind. He is still a daydream beleiver in my mind! Thanks for the post.

[@siboobooboo]

Mike Nesmith is great, if you want to see him in his twenties, you know how to do it, and stop being rude.

[@rickygervais1776]

The coolest Monkee

[@STP43FAN1]

It's weird hearing Mike's speaking voice now but that familiar reedy tenor can still be discerned. The Monkees & The First National Band - gotta love them.

[@Farrah300]

Thank you!!!

[@johnnybebad5980]

I still crack up when i remember his "Cruisin video. Simple, but hilarious.

[@josielpontocom]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5qTk2uqmKiEiac

[@ladycplum]

Wow, Mike reminds me so much of my grandfather in the looks department.

[@marciemeow]

i think he handled it very well when asked about the Monkees, I dont think he was pist off at all and the interviewer didnt stay on that subject he moved on. I really think Mike was not annoyed

[@Andraste77]

That's all true, of course. But in looking at this video again, I don't think Mike's reaction is all that annoyed or bored as mrstevehartman implied (at 0:49)...I thought he was very gracious in this interview, and in his answer. I just think he gets criticized pretty unfairly for moving on from the Monkees.

[@lorfna1436]

3rdly) and final ;P it was NOT Davy jones who said Mike looked like a German Banker, it was Joy Behar on the view when they appeared on the show a few weeks ago. Look it up. Thanks for BMI for posting this, the guy did a great job in getting Nez attention and he seemed happy and proud to be with his son Jason. :) Btw, this interview dates May 20th 2010, 3 months after Mike's 1st wife, Phyllis Ann Barbour, mother of 3 of his kids (Christian, Jonathan & Jessica) passed due to ALS.

[@Andraste77]

Your neighbor is lucky...Some people age differently than others. Bloody hell - what kind of culture do we live in where people get criticized for the aging process?!

[@schizoidboy]

When one considers all the pop-idols created for TV bands that have come and gone over the last 45 years then you realize the Monkees were one of the best around. They genuinely had talent and the fact they were willing to experiment should be a lesson to others not to be boxed in but to expand and explore.

[@POBulkhead]

When I was eight I always wanted one of those motorized skate boards they showed on the beginning of the show.

[@marciemeow]

I agree with you! Another commenter here thinks Mike has 'attitude' when being asked about the Monkees, I do not, the way he answered would not have made me feel uncomfortable. But yes a good idea that the interviewer moved on with the questioning.

[@jerico641]

Oh, goddamn it, he looks like Lyndon Johnson...I feel soooooo freakin' old.

[@frizzlefrap]

very intelligent father and son. always enjoyed mike, as a member of the monkees. there was a time when he dissed his group members .... but i think that's all water under the bridge. he seemed to want to advance and didn't want the silliness to keep him down, which is understandable. sure has aged dramatically! something you youngins can look forward to, even though, i haven't!

[@870Rem12gauge]

His son Jason is a chip off the block. You can see the resemblence. Thanks for the memories, Mike.

[@sirtinycreep]

He looks a lot older than I remember him, but he's hopefully fit and well and long may he continue. Thanks for posting.

[@onedayati]

Thanks.

[@HerrEllsworth]

Nez's attitude toward the Monkees has certainly changed since Davy's death. He knew their music had been influencing many other bands over the years but the magnitude of its scope in the wake of Davy's passing has truly overwhelmed him. I feel very strongly that he, Peter and Micky will get together for some sort of musical tribute. For Davy's sake and for the fans.

[@Andraste77]

I've seen similar comments from you - If you don't like him, why do you go around KZbin watching videos about him? Just to be shitty about it? Do you have a personal beef? Did he turn you down for a date or something? Jeez.

[@plasticdogfood]

@bobeagle007 He DID play with his old buddies one last time! Just how many more "one last time" 's is he supposed to do, to keep you happy? 1? 10? 1000? I'm sure that he can,t wait for your answer, so he can get right out there "one last time" just for you. Then he might be able to get on with his life, thank you very much.

[@ricadrew]

I'm such a huge fan of the Monkees and Mike was always my favorite ever since I guess about 9 yrs old. Although it's understandable for the other guys, as they have continued to perform all these years, but Mike's the only Monkee that has not attempted to change his looks and has grown old gracefully!

[@みはいるf5b]

マイクまでいなくなっちゃうなんて｡あのニット帽忘れられない。いい歌いっぱいありがとう。

[@2degucitas]

The Nesmith/Zappa collaboration continues in another generation. Yippeee!!!

[@lorfna1436]

2) This June, i went to my very 1st Monkees show here at the Greek in L.A. and it was a BLAST. I was Srsly impressed on how GOOD they sounded, how GOOD they played, most of the songs Mickey stayed behind the drums &of course Peter did his thing on guitar, piano N Banjo. Take the time to read some reviews, as Peter says, from 1 negative u read, there're 3 Good reviews. Even Rolling Stone mag gave their two thumbs up. The show consisted of Everything from early stuff to HEAD soundtrack, Great show

[@HSECMAN]

would never have recognized him. his son talks faster but theres no mistaking the relationship!

[@MsPenny567]

OMG!! That's Mike Nesmith? WOW!