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This was published 4 years ago

Monkees' drummer Micky Dolenz is suing the FBI

CNN

The Monkees' only surviving group member, Micky Dolenz, has filed a lawsuit against the FBI for any records that may involve him, his late bandmates, or the band itself.

The Monkees were investigated by the FBI for alleged anti-Vietnam war activities in 1967 related to a concert in which they flashed pictures and messages in protest against the conflict, according to the complaint filed by Dolenz.

Dolenz and his late bandmates Mike Nesmith, Davy Jones and Peter Tork were also investigated for another matter that has been redacted, the complaint states.

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Photos of The Monkees starring Mickey Dolenz and Peter Tork performing live on stage at Town Hall, NYC on June 1, 2016.

Photos of The Monkees starring Mickey Dolenz and Peter Tork performing live on stage at Town Hall, NYC on June 1, 2016.  Matthew Eisman/ Getty Images

A portion of the FBI file on the band was released to the public a little over a decade ago, but, Dolenz, now 77, wants to see the complete case file.

"References to the band appear in two places in FBI files: a 1967 Los Angeles Field Office memorandum on anti-Vietnam war activities and a second document redacted entirely," the FBI website states.

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A Freedom of Information Act request he filed in June failed to get a response from the FBI, according to the Dolenz complaint.

"This lawsuit is designed to obtain any records the FBI created and/or possesses on the Monkees as well as its individual members," the suit states.

The Monkees arrive at Tokyo International Airport September 30, 1968 for performances in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.   About 1,000 fans, mostly Japanese teenage girls, gathered at the airport to see members of the group arriving  (from top: Mike Nesmith, David Jones, Peter Tork, hand on hip; and Mickey Dolenz).

A portion of the FBI file on the band was released to the public a little over a decade ago, but, Dolenz (pictured front), now 77, wants to see the complete case file AP Photo/T. Sakakibara

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"Mr. Dolenz has exhausted all necessary required administrative remedies with respect to his [Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act] request."

CNN has reached out to the FBI and the Department of Justice for comment.

The Monkees had a record breaking four No. 1 albums in 1967, along with their popular sitcom that ran from 1966 - 1968.

The Monkees pose with their Emmy award at the 19th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in California on June 4, 1967.

The Monkees had a record breaking four No. 1 albums in 1967, along with their popular, Emmy Award winning sitcom that ran from 1966 - 1968 AP

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