Jimi Hendrix Opening for the Monkees: A Mismatched Tour Tale

Jimi Hendrix Opening for the Monkees: A Mismatched Tour Tale

The decision to have the Jimi Hendrix Experience open for the Monkees in 1967 turned out to be an unexpected and mismatched pairing. Micky Dolenz, the lead singer of the Monkees, takes responsibility for suggesting Hendrix as an opening act due to his admiration for Hendrix's talent and theatrical style. Despite the initial excitement, the tour faced challenges as the audience's preference for the Monkees overshadowed Hendrix's performance. The tour was cut short after eight shows due to complaints about Hendrix's act being deemed too erotic for the audience. Despite the tour's abrupt end, Dolenz and Hendrix remained friends, with Dolenz fondly recalling their time together. The story of Hendrix opening for the Monkees is a memorable anecdote that Dolenz often shares during his solo shows and will likely be revisited during the upcoming 60 Years of the Monkees tour starting in 2026.