If there was any lingering doubt that the Monkees were not an authentic musical group in their own right, it was destroyed last Friday night.

Greeted by the shouts and cheers of fans who filled Sec Taylor stadium, the Monkees (Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Peter Tork) took to the stage in one of the stops on their 30th Anniversary Tour. Dolenz said that the fourth Monkee, Mike Nesmith, was at work in Nashville mixing an all new Monkees’ album.

But these were not the same Monkees that so many had grown up watching on television. These Monkees were older and more intent on their music than their mayhem. As they played through an hour and a half of classic Monkees’ songs, the listener detected subtle updating of rhythms and the addition of instrumentals. The result was more of a contemporary tribute to the music of the Monkees than a playback of the oldie goldies.

Missing from the show, however, was some of the playfulness that was a cornerstone of the TV series and the Monkees’ two previous tours (1986 & 1988). There were no costume changes, no clowning around, no cracking jokes. As concerts go, this one was rather straight-laced. One song lead into another which lead into another — with no Monkee-ing around in between.

This aspect did not concern the fans (literally of all ages) who jumped around joyously as Micky sang the lead on classics such as “Last Train to Clarksville” and “Randy Scouse Git.” Nor did it prevent women (again, literally of all ages) from screaming in near ecstasy as Davy crooned “I Wanna Be Free” and “Daydream Believer.” Peter was also not lacking attention as he warbled through “Auntie Grezelda” only to be greeted by return shouts and cheers from the audience.

Throughout the show, Micky and Peter each played guitars (though Peter also took to the keyboard on a few occasions). Davy stayed with percussion, demonstrating that, even at 50, he is still one of the best tambourine players in the business. It was odd, however, not to see Micky play the drums even once. It is common knowledge that he only learned to play them after being hired for the TV series, but the lack of his presence behind the drum set was a bit unsettling.

Overall it was a concert that pleased the fans, young and old, of the Monkees’ music. It was not as pleasing to those who were fans of the Monkees’ persona — the playful, mischievous, often irreverent antics that had become their trademark. Adding to this disappointment was a CD being sold that was apparently recorded during their 20th Anniversary Tour in 1986. Both the CD liner and the contents indicate a concert far more “Monkee-ish” than the one at Sec Taylor.

Bottom line, if you like the Monkees’ music (or still haven’t gotten over that childhood crush on one of the members) watch to see what town they show up in next. However, if you are a fan of the Monkees and the fun they represent, don’t bother going — you’ll only be disappointed.