Hey, hey, they’re The Monkees … and they’re not monkeying around when it comes to celebrating their 50th anniversary.
The group, formed for an eponymous ’60s TV show and known for hits including “Daydream Believer” and “Last Train to Clarksville,” announced Friday that they’re hitting the road for a 50th Anniversary Tour — and releasing their first new album in nearly 20 years.
The album, “Good Times,” features surviving Monkees Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork, along with a vintage vocal from Davy Jones, who died in 2012, on one song.
Produced by Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger, “Good TImes” features songs written for the band by Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo, Death Cab for Cutie honcho Ben Gibbard, Andy Partridge from XTC, Zach Rogue of Rogue Wave, Neil Diamond and Harry Nilsson.
“Good Times” is slated for a June 10 release, with preorder available now.
The tour, meanwhile, kicks off May 18, with tickets onsale Feb. 12. The road jaunt, which will include nearly 50 North American dates, starts off at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Center in Fort Myers, Florida, finishing up in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. on October 29.