This is a highly entertaining book, especially on the first read-through. I bought this to replace my worn-out copy.
Take care, though, not to take the book TOO seriously. Because it's difficult to find the parts where Micky is being completely truthful, where he might be trying to make himself look good in certain situations, and where he drifts into the "Micky Dolenz" caricature from the TV series, just trying to get a laugh.
It WILL get a laugh out of you, so it's worth buying. Despite my personal doubts about the accuracy, I still recommend it; it's a must for any true Monkees fan.
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I'm a Believer: My Life of Monkees, Music, and Madness Paperback – September 1, 1993
by
Mickey Dolenz
(Author),
Mark Bego
(Author)
| Price | New from | Used from |
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In fascinating, star-studded anecdotes, original Monkee Mickey Dolenz takes readers from his starring role at age 12 as TVs Circus Boy to the open casting call that brought the Monkees together, through the creative conflicts that finally drove them apart.
- Print length288 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHyperion
- Publication dateSeptember 1, 1993
- Dimensions6.25 x 0.75 x 9.5 inches
- ISBN-101562828479
- ISBN-13978-1562828479
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In this sophomoric exercise 48-year-old Dolenz looks back at his life, concentrating on his years as the drummer for the Monkees, a late '60s rock band prefabricated for television. There are several irritating sections written in screenplay format, and the authors often indulge in lame puns. Dolenz admits he is "girl-crazy" to this day, and claims his access to women through fame was like being "a kid in a carnal store." Dolenz's point of view about that period vacillates constantly. On one hand, he appears to feel that he was a part of the authentic '60s experience: he describes the afternoon he smoked a joint with Paul McCartney; his attendance at the Monterey Pop Festival; and Jimi Hendrix's opening for the band on one summer tour. Then Dolenz changes gears, making fun of the hippie ideology of bandmate Peter Tork, whom he portrays as ranting about "fat-cat, big business fascist pigs!" In similar fashion, he insists that seeing the Monkees as a rock group is like thinking Leonard Nimoy really was a Vulcan, but he also takes pride in their growing creative control that peaked with the album "Headquarters," the first that the band recorded without studio musicians. Bego is an entertainment writer. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
A good-natured, superficial show-biz bio by the drummer of The Monkees, written with veteran rock-'n'-roll chronicler Bego (Aretha Franklin, 1989, etc.). From the start, Dolenz rode life like the Last Train to Larksville. In the 50's, as a ``hyperactive boy's boy,'' he snared the title role in the smash sitcom Circus Boy. A decade later came the Monkees, four zany young lads--from Hollywood, not Liverpool- -who answered the British rock invasion with their own American TV series. Producer (and future film director) Bob Rafelson knew what he was doing: The Monkees zoomed up the Nielsen ratings, and the group's early releases, penned by Neil Diamond (``I'm a Believer'') and other great songwriters, bumped the Beatles off the top of the charts. Why the clamor? Because, says Dolenz, The Monkees was the first TV show ``to depict young people on their own'': It was ``My Three Sons without Fred MacMurray.'' The show also gave birth to a new method of record promotion, through national TV rather than local radio--the first glimmer of the MTV revolution. For Dolenz, the series led to a magic sleigh ride: smoking hashish with Paul McCartney; starring in Head, a movie scripted by Jack Nicholson; bedding every starlet in sight. When the group split up, Dolenz hit the rocks--divorce, depression--but, more recently, spearheaded the Monkees' ``incredibly successful'' reunion (the top-grossing tour of 1986); he now works as a British TV director. Monkeyshines, nothing more, but it makes you want to hear those tunes again. (Sixteen pages of b&w photographs--not seen) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Product details
- Publisher : Hyperion; 1st edition (September 1, 1993)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1562828479
- ISBN-13 : 978-1562828479
- Item Weight : 12 ounces
- Dimensions : 6.25 x 0.75 x 9.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #4,232,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,605 in Pop Artist Biographies
- #5,653 in Popular Music (Books)
- #7,569 in Rock Band Biographies
- Customer Reviews:
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2018
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Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2016
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When it comes to the Monkees career and it's unique evolution from it's early origins, one can't help but wonder what it must have been like to ride that wave of crazy highs and insane lows as only the members could properly convey. Between the four, it has been Mickey's perspective I was most interested in simply because he has always struck me as a person who could offer retrospect with a grounded and less guarded opinion that was less self-serving and more frank in his assessment of what qualified as success and what was misdirected shortcomings. He did not disappoint.
Where he possessed pride for his career, he stood up and made note of it and had no problem telling his critics where to go. It was a refreshing take because so many people in this industry write books to amplify experiences or underplay the effects on them personally. I thought Mickey really gave a honest and heart-felt review of his life in the entertainment industry and did so in a manner that almost felt like he was sitting down to talk to you personally about it just to pass the time. It felt genuine and grounded. I also respected his decision not to do a name call of people for whom he had relationships with or otherwise spent time partaking in the experience. I've always felt people who needed to call out those who were once confidants or family members are saying more about the deficits they possess than those I guess they feel the need to diminish publicly to inflate their own sense of self-worth. None of that was present here. His reflections on personal matters between family and friends were quite detailed for context purposes to show you the extent of fame's impact and what kind of issues it can create in the best of homes. It was both insightful and heartening. So glad to hear he had a solid home governed by a strong mom and what appeared to be a solid step dad after he lost his own. That explains so much about why he comes across so well acclimated to the events of his life.
I think one of the takeaways I get from this book that is well worth remembering is the man has a tremendous work ethic. That seems to be a common thread with anyone who is successful in life. Opportunity can knock in a number of different ways for all of us and how prepared we are and how much conviction we give to the effort often determines whether we take full advantage of those opportunities or let them go by the wayside. Mikey seem to have a good knack for learning from his experiences instead of letting them weigh him down. This explains why he is such an accomplished professional in so many venues of this industry. It was no accident. This man worked hard and earned everything he accomplished. You won't hear him say it quite in that fashion because he doesn't need to. But he is a prideful man that can see the arc of his life and appreciate the road he has built for himself and his family that continues to grow to this day.
Where he possessed pride for his career, he stood up and made note of it and had no problem telling his critics where to go. It was a refreshing take because so many people in this industry write books to amplify experiences or underplay the effects on them personally. I thought Mickey really gave a honest and heart-felt review of his life in the entertainment industry and did so in a manner that almost felt like he was sitting down to talk to you personally about it just to pass the time. It felt genuine and grounded. I also respected his decision not to do a name call of people for whom he had relationships with or otherwise spent time partaking in the experience. I've always felt people who needed to call out those who were once confidants or family members are saying more about the deficits they possess than those I guess they feel the need to diminish publicly to inflate their own sense of self-worth. None of that was present here. His reflections on personal matters between family and friends were quite detailed for context purposes to show you the extent of fame's impact and what kind of issues it can create in the best of homes. It was both insightful and heartening. So glad to hear he had a solid home governed by a strong mom and what appeared to be a solid step dad after he lost his own. That explains so much about why he comes across so well acclimated to the events of his life.
I think one of the takeaways I get from this book that is well worth remembering is the man has a tremendous work ethic. That seems to be a common thread with anyone who is successful in life. Opportunity can knock in a number of different ways for all of us and how prepared we are and how much conviction we give to the effort often determines whether we take full advantage of those opportunities or let them go by the wayside. Mikey seem to have a good knack for learning from his experiences instead of letting them weigh him down. This explains why he is such an accomplished professional in so many venues of this industry. It was no accident. This man worked hard and earned everything he accomplished. You won't hear him say it quite in that fashion because he doesn't need to. But he is a prideful man that can see the arc of his life and appreciate the road he has built for himself and his family that continues to grow to this day.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2013
Verified Purchase
If you're looking for a grungy tell-all of the 60's band that "didn't play their own instruments", you've come to the wrong place!
The Monkees television series, while short lived, was the petri dish that cultivated one of the best selling and long lived musical acts of the common era. Still rocking after 45 years, George Michael Dolenz is, and always has been, proud to be a Monkee. His career started when he began acting as a young lad in the 50s in the, also short-lived, television series Circus Boy. Born from entertainers, Dolenz puts his heart and soul into everything he does and knows how to truly put on show. And oh my my, a darned good one at that!
A show is what he gives you in his biography, I'm a Believer. While the title is a bit corny (I'll be shunned by Monkees fans across the globe for admitting that), the book is filled with heartfelt tales, wit and humor. Long time fans of Dolenz may be familiar with some of the stories within (if you cannot bear the Vulcan comparison even once more - reader be warned!!), but there are surprises for even the most well versed of Monkees followers.
Chronologically, the book bounces around as you are lead through a timeline of tales which weave themselves in a sharp, clever way that keeps the reader interested. This won't put you to sleep. I found myself finishing the entire book in just two sittings and left wanting more.
Admittedly, Dolenz skims the surface of particular points in his life, but on the flip side, reveals a part of himself that isn't altogether flattering - and that takes a lot of courage to admit that you experience low points and failings, just like everyone else in the human race.
The "updated" version contains expanded discography and television appearances, which are no longer up-to-date as this man just CAN'T STOP! Nor would I want him to!
Micky Dolenz is a tried and true entertainer and his Words are a pleasure to read!
The Monkees television series, while short lived, was the petri dish that cultivated one of the best selling and long lived musical acts of the common era. Still rocking after 45 years, George Michael Dolenz is, and always has been, proud to be a Monkee. His career started when he began acting as a young lad in the 50s in the, also short-lived, television series Circus Boy. Born from entertainers, Dolenz puts his heart and soul into everything he does and knows how to truly put on show. And oh my my, a darned good one at that!
A show is what he gives you in his biography, I'm a Believer. While the title is a bit corny (I'll be shunned by Monkees fans across the globe for admitting that), the book is filled with heartfelt tales, wit and humor. Long time fans of Dolenz may be familiar with some of the stories within (if you cannot bear the Vulcan comparison even once more - reader be warned!!), but there are surprises for even the most well versed of Monkees followers.
Chronologically, the book bounces around as you are lead through a timeline of tales which weave themselves in a sharp, clever way that keeps the reader interested. This won't put you to sleep. I found myself finishing the entire book in just two sittings and left wanting more.
Admittedly, Dolenz skims the surface of particular points in his life, but on the flip side, reveals a part of himself that isn't altogether flattering - and that takes a lot of courage to admit that you experience low points and failings, just like everyone else in the human race.
The "updated" version contains expanded discography and television appearances, which are no longer up-to-date as this man just CAN'T STOP! Nor would I want him to!
Micky Dolenz is a tried and true entertainer and his Words are a pleasure to read!
17 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2021
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I was a HUGE Monkees fan growing up (during the 2nd wave in the 80s). I had every piece of Monkees’ memorabilia that I could get my hands on (and afford on a teenager’s allowance) and saw them in concert twice. I taped every time they were on TV, and every single interview. I still learned new stuff from this book. Micky Dolenz was always my Monkee of choice, and it was a relief to see what a kind and generous of spirit person he is through reading the autobiography.
Top reviews from other countries
Lisa M
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read!
Reviewed in Australia on June 9, 2020Verified Purchase
I'm still 3/4 of the way through, but I adore this book. I was watching old episodes of Circus Boy and wondered what the experience would have been like for Mickey Dolenz as a young actor. It seemed the only way I could find out is to purchase this book - and what a fabulous autobiography it is! It also arrived quickly after purchasing - thanks!
Daniele M
5.0 out of 5 stars
love it
Reviewed in Canada on May 30, 2020Verified Purchase
as a fan of the monkees love the book :)
Melanie R.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quick delivery!
Reviewed in Canada on December 11, 2019Verified Purchase
Quick delivery! Happy with the product.
johnnyone
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on November 16, 2014Verified Purchase
Micky's side of the Monkees story
Ms. A. M. Parnell-brookes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Im A Believer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 14, 2012Verified Purchase
I love this book its a must for all lovers of micky dolenz i bought the book as he is my fave monkee, In this book Micky Dolenz tells you about each chapter of his life this book is very easy to read the writing is big to.
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