The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz at the 18th Annual Winter’s Eve
The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz to Entertain the Masses as Headliner of the 18th Annual Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square Presented by the Lincoln Square BID
From the stage, to the set, to the studio, this world renowned performer will rock the Upper West Side at New York’s largest holiday festival – Set for Monday, November 27, 2017
New York, NY – October 12, 2017 – The Lincoln Square Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to announce that Micky Dolenz, best known as the lead singer of the famed 1960’s pop/rock band The Monkees, will headline the main stage at Dante Park (Broadway and 63rd Street) and help light up the Upper West Side at the 18th Annual Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square. New York’s largest holiday festival kicks off with the Upper West Side’s only tree lighting ceremony on Monday, November 27, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. The highly-anticipated FREE annual festival continues until 9:00pm and promises a new and lively lineup of legendary performers, up-and-coming musicians, entertainment, dancers, and more, to ring in the holiday season.
The unforgettable performer that inspired a generation with a dozen Top 20 singles, four #1 albums and two Emmy Awards, will lead an all-star lineup at Winter’s Eve which is expected to attract more than 20,000 holiday revelers to the Lincoln Square area. He will perform holiday classics, a few of The Monkees’ top hits, as well as new songs from “Good Times,” (Rhino Records) released last year, which was The Monkees first new album in 25 years. Just off a worldwide tour, after last year’s release of “Good Times,” The Monkees re-grouped to perform 66 concerts in four countries to commemorate the band’s 50th anniversary. Dolenz will join the list of talented musicians who have previously performed at New York’s largest holiday festival, including Arlo Guthrie, Peter Yarrow, the late Odetta, the late Richie Havens, John Pizzarelli, Tom Chapin and The Chapin Family, Suzanne Vega, John Hammond, Henry Butler, Wycliffe Gordon, The Bacon Brothers, Justin Guarini, and many more.
“I was born in LA, but the holidays in NYC are always a must-see attraction. I’ve always loved New York and the Lincoln Square area especially; it will be an honor to perform there for this season’s Winter’s Eve,” says, Micky Dolenz.
“This year’s headliner has done it all! Micky offers a one-of-a-kind presence to the stage, drawing on his background in Broadway, television and broadcasting, making him a perfect fit for our festival. Winter’s Eve offers genres as diverse as the city itself and ‘I’m a Believer’ that Micky’s memorable grooves will entertain the masses that flood Lincoln Square on this magical night,” says Monica Blum, Lincoln Square BID President and Founder of Winter’s Eve.
A Broadway star in “Aida,” Micky also performed around the country in renowned musicals including “Pippin,” “Grease” and “Hairspray.” He has worked with dozens of diverse, legendary musicians from Elton John to Tom Petty to Jimi Hendrix and has appeared on nationally broadcasted talk shows including “Jimmy Fallon,” “Oprah,” “The View” among others and even some reality-TV shows including FOX’s “American Idol” and CMT’s “Gone Country.” Micky also recently released a solo album, “A Little Bit Broadway; A Little Bit Rock & Roll” (Broadway Records) from live recording from NYC’s Feinstein’s/54 Below.
His storied career began as a child actor under the stage name of “Mickey Braddock,” starring in his own first TV series, “Circus Boy” before falling in love with music in his high school years. In 1965, Micky was one of 400 applicants who auditioned for a new TV show about a rock band: “The Monkees.” He wound up chosen for the show along with three other actors. The Monkees’ debut single, “Last Train to Clarksville,” featuring Micky on lead vocals, hit the charts in 1966 and rocketed to number one.
Micky and his fellow TV bandmates actually went on to become a real live rock band that first toured North America in 1966. Around this time, Micky acquired one of the first Moog synthesizers ever made, which he played on the Monkees’ track “Daily Nightly,” almost two years before its use by The Beatles. The Monkees also starred in their own feature film, “Head,” co-written by a young Jack Nicholson.
In the late 1970’s and 1980’s, Dolenz turned his attention back to the origins of his trade—acting, and now directing. Micky spent time working in London where he starred in musicals, worked as a producer-director for BBC and London Weekend Television, directed short feature films, stage performances and more. He was also responsible for creating and producing the British children’s television show “Luna.”
In 1986, MTV re-broadcasted episodes of “The Monkees,” exposing a new generation to the show and “Monkeemania.” Ultimately, The Monkees achieved their greatest success not as a TV show but as viable recording artists; selling in excess of 65 million records. Their first four albums all reached the number-one position on the charts and launched three number-one singles: “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer,” and “Daydream Believer.” The group’s first five albums also went platinum.
In 1993, Micky published his autobiography “I’m a Believer: My Life of Monkees, Music, and Madness.” In addition to writing, throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s, Micky divided his time between acting (“The Drew Carey Show,” “Days Of Our Lives,” and “General Hospital”); directing (“Boy Meets World” for ABC/Disney, and “Pacific Blue” for USA Networks); and touring with his own band featuring his sister, Coco Dolenz. He was also on an on-air personality for WCBS-FM’s morning “drive-time” and authored several children’s books.
For more information about the Lincoln Square BID’s Winter’s Eve, please visit: www.WintersEve.nyc or call 212.581.3774.