Recording Sessions for Changes

February 5, 1970

New York City

"Tell Me Love", "I Love You Better", "Oh My My"

P: Jeff Barry

Though Michael was technically still a member of The Monkees, he was not required to participate in their recordings. In fact, he had formed The First National Band and was recording their first album, Magnetic South. Meanwhile, Micky and Davy (who had apparently decided not to quit the group, contrary to a statement in the NME) were flown to New York and were required to record vocals for the last Monkees album (during the first run). Jeff Barry, who had produced some of the second album recordings and third single sessions, was the producer and chose the material. Though Davy and, to a lesser extent, Micky had several fairly current songs still in the can, nine of the 12 songs on Changes were new songs from these sessions. One Boyce and Hart tune from the second album sessions, one recent Micky song, and one Barry-produced song from the third single sessions fleshed out the album. Unfortunately, this last Monkees album is their worst and quite terrible, except for the Boyce & Hart and Dolenz songs. One can imagine what The Monkees' music may have become earlier on had Kirshner not been overthrown by Nesmith.

"Tell Me Love" was written by Barry, while the other two were cowritten by Barry and Andy Kim. "Oh My My"/"I Love You Better" became the group's twelfth single, and the last to use the name The Monkees. Micky sang all three.

March 1, 1970

Michael Nesmith is officially no longer a Monkee. His last work with the group was a Kool-Aid® commercial.

March 22, 1970

Michael Nesmith & The First National Band concert at The Troubadour in Hollywood, CA. Apparently, Micky, Davy, and most of The Monkees' TV show crew attended.

March 25, 1970

New York City

"You're So Good To Me", "Which Way (Do You Want It)", "Ticket On A Ferry Ride"

P: Jeff Barry

These three songs were cowritten by Barry/Bloom. "Which Way" was never released and has been lost. Davy sang "You're So Good", and Micky sang "Ticket". Both made the album.

March 26, 1970

New York City

"Ride Baby Ride", "Do You Feel It Too?", "All Alone In The Dark"

P: Jeff Barry

"Do You Feel It Too?" was written by Barry/Kim, and "All Alone" by Soles/Albright. Davy sang the former and Micky the latter. "Ride Baby Ride" was not released and is lost.

April 2, 1970

New York City

"Acapulco Sun", "It's Got To Be Love"

P: Jeff Barry

Micky sang these two which made the album. "Acapulco Sun" was written by Soles/Albright, and "It's Got To Be Love" by Neil Goldberg. This was the last Changes session.

1966-1970

"Parker Brothers' Nerf Balls", "Glow-in-the-dark Slinger", "Kool-Aid"

The Monkees recorded these TV jingles, though the master tapes have not been located.

April 1970

Single release - "Oh My My"/"I Love You Better".

Micky produced a promotional clip for the A-side, featuring he and Davy. It was aired on the CBS reruns of the TV show.

Peter Tork (with Micky and Coco Dolenz) performance at The Troubadour in Hollywood, CA.

May 1970

Michael Nesmith & The First National Band concert at The Ice House in Pasadena, CA.

June 1970

Album release - Changes.

July 1970

Michael Nesmith & The First National Band album release - Magnetic South.

Michael Nesmith & The First National Band single release - "Little Red Rider"/"Rose City Chimes".

July 8-27, 1970

Micky Dolenz performance in "Remains To Be Seen" at The Pleasant Run Theatre near Chicago, IL.

August 1970

Michael Nesmith & The First National Band single release - "Joanne"/"One Rose".

Michael Nesmith & The First National Band concert in London, England.

Davy Jones TV appearance - "Make Room For Granddaddy".

Davy Jones TV appearance - "Love American Style".

September 10, 1970

Michael Nesmith & The First National Band concert at Inn at the Park Hotel in London, England.