Nesmith returns to The Monkees

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CHICAGO, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Micky Dolenz says Michael Nesmith had planned to return to The Monkees before their British band-member Davy Jones died last February.

Nesmith has not performed with the 1960s-era American pop group since the band played a handful of European dates in 1997. Dolenz, Nesmith and Peter Tork are to reunite for a show at Chicago Theatre Friday.

"The seeds of this were actually planted months before David's death," Dolenz told the Chicago Tribune. "We thought we should go out and do 'Headquarters,' which was the first album that we'd managed to get control over musically. Michael was expressing interest, and so were Peter and Davy and I. Then the tragedy struck and David passed."

Dolenz told the newspaper he and his fellow musicians further discussed a possible reunion at a private memorial for Jones in Los Angeles, then decided to embark on a 12-city tour.

"It did not become the 'Davy Jones Memorial Tour'; that just sounded a little bit creepy," Dolenz said. "However, there will be a tribute and homage, and I think all the fans will be very, very pleased."

The group's "The Monkees" television comedy series aired from 1966 to 1968.