Michael Nesmith Tribute 12/11/21

By now you've probably heard that Michael Nesmith has passed away at the age of 78.

Here is the official obituary from Variety Magazine:

https://variety.com/2021/music/news/michael-nesmith-dead-monkees-1235130849/

O course, Michael will always be remembered as the "Monkee in the wool hat," but he was so much more---especially after the Monkees broke up.

Did you know he was a seminal influence on the country-rock scene of the '70s, and wrote several songs for artists like the Stone Poneys, who introduced Linda Ronstadt to the world with Michael's "Different Drum" (#13 in 1967)? He had written the song in 1964, but producers for The Monkees repeatedly rejected it for recording. Idiots.

In 1970, with his new group, the First National Band, Michael had a hit of his own with "Joanne." The song went to #1 in New Zealand, #3 in Australia, and #4 in Canada. In the US, it peaked at #21.

I consider both "Different Drum" and "Joanne" to be "Great Songs" because of their incredibly clever lyrics--all written by Mike.

Listen carefully to both songs and you'll hear what I mean.

Rest in Peace, Mike!

Joanne:

Different Drum: