Michael Nesmith

Robert Michael Nesmith (December 30, 1942 – December 10, 2021) was an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist, businessman and philanthropist.

Nesmith was born in Dallas, Texas on December 30, 1942. His mother, Bette Nesmith Graham invented Liquid Paper in 1951 and made the family very rich.

In the 1960s, Nesmith moved to Los Angeles to start a recording career. He wrote the song "Different Drum" which was a hit for Linda Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys. In 1966, he became a member of the Monkees, a made-for-TV rock band. He left the group in 1969 and started a solo career.

Nesmith is considered one of the forefathers of the country-rock movement of the 1970s with his song Joanne.He produced albums such as loose salute and magnetic south with the first national band. Nesmith was known for his diamond suit, hat and cowboy boots that are currently on display at the country hall of fame. He also worked as a producer and is considered one of the pioneers of the music video industry. Nesmith's 1981 video-movie Elephant Parts won the first Grammy Award for a music video

Nesmith died from heart failure at his home in Carmel Valley, California on December 10, 2021, at the age of 78.

References

Category:Musicians from Texas
Category:American songwriters
Category:American television actors
Category:American rock musicians
Category:American Grammy Award winners
Category:Actors from Dallas
Category:1942 births
Category:2021 deaths
Category:Philanthropists from Texas
Category:Deaths from heart failure
Category:American country guitarists
Category:The Monkees members