Ask “Mr. Music”
Jerry Osborne



FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2017

DEAR JERRY: I'm into collecting obscure records by Davy Jones; Micky Dolenz; Michael Nesmith; and Peter Tork, made before they became the Monkees.

Complicating the search are many bands with the same names that may have included a Monkees member, especially the Missing Links. There are more than a dozen Missing Links, so which group included Micky Dolenz?

Any specifics on other records, before or after the Monkees, would also be appreciated. --Donna Reinsdorf, Portland, Maine

DEAR DONNA: You're right. In three years (1965-1967), there were plenty of garage bands named either the Missing Links, or the Missing Lynx. If you've been shopping, you know some are worth hundreds of dollars, but you need not be concerned because there is no connection between Micky Dolenz and any of the Missing Links. It was just a rumor that kept getting recycled.

The record mistakenly described as such is "I Told You I Loved You"/"When I See My Baby," first issued on Jowar (#105), then picked up for national distribution by Amy (#960), both in 1966.

These Missing Links hailed from Long Island, N.Y., and consisted of: Dennis Raffelock; George Mesecke; Al Vertucci; Joe Parisi; and Larry Rubenstein.

I tracked down Dennis Raffelock and asked if Mickey Dolenz had any involvement in them, and here is his reply:

"I was a member of the Missing Links throughout our brief existence, in 1965 and 1966. There was no one in the band, other than George, Al, Joe, Larry, and myself.

"The Missing Links disbanded very soon after we made the Jowar/Amy record, because Uncle Sam took away our drummer, then also 'hired' me for the U.S. Army Band.

"I hope this clears up any questions about the Missing Links from New York."

Now for the essential information for all pre- and post-Monkees U.S. singles:

Davy Jones (1965):
1965 (Colpix 764): "Dream Girl"/"Take Me to Paradise"
1965 (Colpix 784): "What Are We Going to Do?"/"This Bouquet"
1965 (Colpix 789): "The Girl From Chelsea"/"Theme for a New Love (I Saw You Only Once)" (Narrative)
All credit "David Jones."

Davy Jones (1971-1973):
1971 (Bell 45111): "Rainy Jane"/"Welcome to My Love"
1971 (Bell 45136): "I Really Love You"/"Sittin' in the Apple Tree"
1972 (Bell 45178): "Girl"/"Take My Love"
1973 (M-G-M 45124): "Rubberene"/"Rubberene" (Promotional only)

Michael Nesmith (1965-1967):
1965 (Colpix 787): "The New Recruit"/"A Journey With Michael Blessing" (Instrumental)
Credits "Michael Blessing."
1965 (Colpix 792): "Until It's Time for You to Go"/"What Seems to Be the Trouble Officer" (Narrative)
Credits "Michael Blessing."
1965 (Omnibus 239): "How Can You Kiss Me"/"Just a Little Love"
Credits "Mike & John & Bill" (Mike Nesmith - John London - Bill Sleeper).
1967 (Edan 1001): "Just a Little Love"/"Curson Terrace"
Edan A-side was issued in 1965 by Mike & John & Bill. B-side is by "Mike & Tony," whose full names are unknown. Repackaged in 1967 when the Monkees popularity peaked.

Michael Nesmith (1970-1979):
1970 (RCA Victor 9853): "Little Red Rider"/"Rose City Chimes"
1970 (RCA Victor 0368): "Joanne"/"One Rose"
1970 (RCA Victor 0399): "Silver Moon"/"Lady of the Valley"
1971 (RCA Victor 0453): "Nevada Fighter"/"Here I Am"
1971 (RCA Victor 0491): "Texas Morning"/"Tumbling Tumbleweeds"
1971 (RCA Victor 0540): "I've Just Begun to Care (Propinquity)"/"Only Bound"
1972 (RCA Victor 0629): "Mama Rocker"/"Lazy Lady"
1972 (RCA Victor 0804): "Roll With the Flow"/"Keep On"
All RCA Victor singles are credited to "Michael Nesmith and the First National Band."
1977 (Pacific Arts 084): "Rio"/"Life, the Unsuspecting Captive"
1978 (Pacific Arts 101): "Roll With the Flow"/"I've Just Begun to Care"
1979 (Pacific Arts 104): "Rio"/"Casablanca Moonlight"
1979 (Pacific Arts 106): "Magic (This Night Is Magic)"/"Dance (Dance and Have a Good Time)"
1979 (Pacific Arts 108): "Cruisin' (Lucy and Ramona and Sunset Sam)"/"Horserace (Beauty and the Magnum Force)"

Micky Dolenz (1966-1967):
1966 (Challenge 59353): "Don't Do It"/"Plastic Symphony III"
1967 (Challenge 59372): "Huff Puff"/"Fate" (The Obvious)
Dolenz recorded "Don't Do It" and "Huff Puff" in 1965. Both tracks were issued when the Monkees popularity peaked. The B-sides are filler instrumentals. "Plastic Symphony III" is uncredited, and "Fate" is by "The Obvious."

Micky Dolenz (1971-1979)
1971 (Bell 986): "Do It in the Name of Love"/"Lady Jane"
Credits "Mickey Dolenz & Davy Jones."
1971 (M-G-M 14309): "Easy on You"/"Oh Someone"
1972 (M-G-M 14395): "Unattended in the Dungeon"/"A Lover's Prayer"
1972 (Lion 132): "Johnny B. Goode"/"It's Amazing to Me"
Credits "Starship" (Micky Dolenz and Michael Lloyd).
1973 (Romar 710): "Daybreak"/"Love War"
Credits "Mickey Dolenz."
1974 (Romar): "The Buddy Holly Tribute"/"Ooh, She's Young"
1975 (Capitol 4180): "I Remember The Feeling"/"You & I"
Credits "Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart."
1976 (Capitol 4271): "I Love You (And I'm Glad That I Said It)"/"Saving My Love for You"
Credits "Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart." Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart wrote and produced many of the Monkees' recordings.
1976 (Christmas 700): "Christmas Is My Time of Year"/"White Christmas"
A-side credits "Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones and Peter Tork" (Peter's only non-Monkees release until the 1980s). B-side is a Davy Jones solo.

IZ ZAT SO? Nine of the early releases with a Monkees connection are very collectible, with some fetching a pretty penny:

Davy Jones:
1965 (Colpix 764): "Dream Girl"/"Take Me to Paradise" ($40 with picture sleeve)
1965 (Colpix 784): "What Are We Going to Do?"/"This Bouquet" ($40 with picture sleeve)
1965 (Colpix 789): "The Girl From Chelsea"/"Theme for a New Love (I Saw You Only Once)" ($75 with picture sleeve)

Michael Nesmith:
1965 (Colpix 787): "The New Recruit"/"A Journey With Michael Blessing" ($300)
1965 (Colpix 792): "Until It's Time for You to Go"/"What Seems to Be the Trouble Officer" ($125)
1965 (Omnibus 239): "How Can You Kiss Me"/"Just a Little Love" ($700)
1967 (Edan 1001): "Just a Little Love"/"Curson Terrace" ($75)

Micky Dolenz:
1966 (Challenge 59353): "Don't Do It"/"Plastic Symphony III" ($25 with picture sleeve)
1967 (Challenge 59372): "Huff Puff"/"Fate" ($25 with picture sleeve)


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