Show Topic: The Monkees - Celebrating 60 Years & the M60 Convention

This Monday, August 31st, 2026, we’re celebrating The Monkees as we get ready for a very special weekend marking the group’s 60th anniversary. We’ll be featuring the music of Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones while looking back at the songs, television series, personalities, and lasting legacy that turned The Monkees into one of the most beloved pop-rock groups of the 1960s.

We’ll also preview the upcoming M60 Convention, taking place September 4th–6th, 2026, at the Clarion Inn in North Haven, Connecticut. The convention brings Monkees fans and special guests together to celebrate six decades since The Monkees television series and the music that became an essential part of 1960s pop culture. It promises to be a memorable weekend for longtime fans as well as those who continue to discover the group today.

Joining us are four guests with their own connections to the Monkees story. We’ll hear from drummer Rich Dart about performing with the Monkees and continuing to play with Micky Dolenz; archivist and author Joe Russo about his remarkable collection of rare Monkees material and his book The Monkees: Smoke-Filled Dreams; and Connecticut musician Mick Lawless, who will share his memories of the group and his musical tribute to Michael Nesmith with Loose Salute to Nez.

New Jersey musician Scott Ringle will also join us to share his perspective on the Monkees and their place in the classic pop and rock music of the era.

From “Last Train to Clarksville” and “I’m a Believer” to the group’s deeper catalogue and the distinctive songwriting and musical vision of Michael Nesmith, there’s much more to the Monkees story than television and Beatlemania-era pop.

Mark your calendars for Monday, August 31st, as we celebrate 60 years of Monkees music, memories, and fandom—and get ready for the M60 Convention in Connecticut.

Don’t miss it!

Guest(s) for our show:

Date: Monday, August 31st, 2026

🥁 Rich Dart

Rich Dart is a drummer who has provided the backbeat for numerous bands throughout his career and has a special connection to the Monkees story. He toured with The Monkees and continues to perform with Micky Dolenz.

Rich will share some of his experiences performing the music live, working with Micky, and being part of the continuing Monkees legacy as fans prepare to celebrate the group’s 60th anniversary.

📚 Joe Russo

Joe Russo is a longtime Monkees fan, archivist, and pop-culture historian who has assembled an extensive private collection of rare and previously unpublished materials documenting the history of The Monkees.

We’ll discuss his hardcover photo book, The Monkees: Smoke-Filled Dreams: The Unseen Archive of Joe Russo, which opens his remarkable archive to fans. Joe is also the host of The Monkees Pad, a YouTube show and podcast devoted to exploring the group’s music, television history, and cultural legacy through conversations with musicians, authors, historians, and other special guests.

The Monkees Pad on YouTube

🎸 Mick Lawless

Mick Lawless is a Connecticut-based singer-songwriter and musician with a longstanding appreciation for The Monkees and their music.

Mick will share some of his Monkees memories and discuss his particular appreciation for Michael Nesmith, including his work with Loose Salute to Nez, a musical tribute celebrating Nesmith’s songs and distinctive contribution to The Monkees and beyond.

🎤 Scott Ringle

Scott Ringle is a New Jersey singer and musician whose repertoire spans pop and rock favorites from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. A former member of the Blue Meanies, Scott continues to perform at local venues, libraries, community events, and private gatherings throughout New Jersey and surrounding areas.

Scott joins us to talk about The Monkees, their music, and the enduring appeal of the songs that helped make them one of the most recognizable groups to emerge from the 1960s.

Scott Ringle on Facebook