The Monkees' Michael Nesmith dies at 78
Veteran musician, songwriter, actor, producer, and more Michael Nesmith of The Monkees has died from natural causes, his family said in a statement. He was 78.
“With Infinite Love we announce that Michael Nesmith has passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully and of natural causes,” his family said. “We ask that you respect our privacy at this time and we thank you for the love and light that all of you have shown him and us.”
Before joining The Monkees, Nesmith had written the song “Different Drum” (made famous by Linda Ronstadt’s group The Stone Poneys), and even before The Monkees began fully writing their own songs and playing their own instruments, they had recorded some Nesmith originals. He released his first solo album, The Wichita Train Whistle Sings, in 1968, while The Monkees were still active, and after leaving The Monkees, he formed the country rock band The First National Band and released three albums in 1970 and 1971 before breaking up. He reunited with The Monkees multiple times over the years (including on their last two albums, 2016’s Good Times! and 2018’s Christmas Party), and The First National Band briefly reunited in 2018 as The First National Band Redux for a tour and live album.
The only surviving Monkee left is Micky Dolenz, who shared the following statement about Michael:
I’m heartbroken.
I’ve lost a dear friend and partner.
I’m so grateful that we could spend the last couple of months together doing what we loved best – singing, laughing, and doing shtick.
I’ll miss it all so much. Especially the shtick.
Rest in peace, Nez.
All my love,
Micky
Watch the video for the Nesmith-penned “Daily Nightly” and see more tributes to Michael below. Rest in peace.
I’m heartbroken.
I’ve lost a dear friend and partner.
I’m so grateful that we could spend the last couple of months together doing what we loved best – singing, laughing, and doing shtick.
I’ll miss it all so much. Especially the shtick.
Rest in peace, Nez.
All my love,
Micky pic.twitter.com/xe8i5jmNgL— Micky Dolenz (@TheMickyDolenz1) December 10, 2021
R.I.P. Michael Nesmith. A great songwriter and singer, a true American original, and a very funny guy. And his final performances were truly mesmerizing.
— Neil Hamburger (@NeilHamburger) December 10, 2021
WOW! Sometimes it's hard to know why someone's passing hits you a certain way but this is another one that hit me. I watch my world change as people that I thought to be timeless pass on, and that is sobering. Lives end and life goes on. RIP Mike Nesmith. https://t.co/AzeMLLe96F
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) December 10, 2021
RIP Michael Nesmith. He was my first boss. I was young and insubordinate. He was bemused and patient. Later we became great friends. He had no fear of death.
— John Levenstein (@johnlevenstein) December 10, 2021
https://twitter.com/ryleywalker/status/1469364585534738437
#RIPMikeNesmith. Thank you for The Monkees, Elephant Parts, MTV & REPO MANhttps://t.co/SJDWlru3x6
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) December 10, 2021
I got to interview Michael Nesmith a bunch of years ago. Drove to his studio. Talked for a couple hours. He was as smart, funny, insightful and as impressive as I could've hoped. Legendary songwriter, hilarious actor. He is and will always be my hero. My favorite. Rest In Peace.
— scharpling (@scharpling) December 10, 2021
A rock ‘n’ roll paradox. A brilliant musician & songwriter playing a popstar on television in a TV series. A dichotomy that is unparalleled in the history of R n R.His personal songs and the songs he wrote for @TheMonkees are forever. RIP https://t.co/BMc5EvrrOS
— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) December 10, 2021
Very sad to hear this. An underrated, talented musician, songwriter and video artist. The Monkees star Michael Nesmith dies at 78 https://t.co/7OC0I2WfEt
— midge ure💙 (@midgeure1) December 10, 2021
