The First National Band
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Founder | Michael Nesmith |
| Defunct | 1972 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music albums |
The First National Band, also known as Michael Nesmith and The First National Band, was a country rock ensemble from the United States, fronted by Michael Nesmith following his departure from The Monkees. The group produced three albums during the period of 1970 to 1971.
Early Developments
At the outset of his musical journey, Nesmith issued singles under the name "Michael Blessing," drawing inspiration from Bob Dylan. Unhappy with the bubblegum pop style favored by The Monkees' musical director Don Kirshner, he advocated for greater inclusion of his own songwriting. In 1968, Nesmith independently released The Wichita Train Whistle Sings as a side endeavor and ultimately purchased out his contract with The Monkees in 1970.
Establishing the Group
In 1969, anticipating the conclusion of The Monkees, Nesmith joined forces with drummer John Ware to assemble a new band that included bassist John London and pedal steel guitarist O.J. "Red" Rhodes. This collaboration marked the beginning of a long-standing partnership between Nesmith and Rhodes.
Professional Journey
Although some musicians were initially skeptical due to Nesmith's association with The Monkees, the band’s distinctive sound quickly gained popularity within Los Angeles’ club circuit. Nesmith requested that venues refrain from mentioning his previous tenure with The Monkees in order to foster an independent identity, but this request was frequently disregarded.
Drawing on a substantial collection of unreleased material, The First National Band issued three albums over the course of one year. Their July 1970 debut, Magnetic South, attained No. 143 on the Billboard charts and featured the single "Joanne", which reached No. 21. However, their concurrent UK tour, which focused on working-class clubs, somewhat hindered their commercial success in the United States.
Their second album, Loose Salute, released in November 1970, peaked at No. 159 and included the modest hit "Silver Moon" (Billboard #42), as well as a reimagined version of the Monkees’ track "Listen to the Band".
Recording for their final album, Nevada Fighter, commenced in October 1970 amidst growing internal conflicts that led to Ware and London leaving by November. Released in May 1971, this album did not chart and marked the beginning of the group's decline.
After Disbandment
Following the breakup, Nesmith maintained his collaboration with Rhodes and enlisted members of Elvis Presley's band for his fifth solo record, Tantamount to Treason Vol. 1, which appeared in May 1972 under "Michael Nesmith & The Second National Band".
Their partnership continued through subsequent solo projects until Rhodes's passing in 1995. Nesmith continued releasing solo work up to Rays in 2006.
During Nesmith’s 2013 U.S. tour, an isolated pedal steel backing track recorded by Rhodes on "Thanx for the Ride" from Loose Salute was incorporated alongside live performances by Nesmith and his current band.
First National Band Redux (2018)
In early 2018, Nesmith brought back The First National Band for a series of five concerts across California under the name "The First National Band Redux." This iteration primarily served as a revival in name only and featured Nesmith’s sons, Christian and Jonathan, along with Jason Chesney on bass, Pete Finney on steel guitar, Christopher Allis on drums, and vocalists Amy Spear and Circe Link.
Coinciding with these shows, Sundazed Music reissued all three original studio albums on colored vinyl. Additionally, Christian and Jonathan contributed to The Monkees' Christmas Party. The band continued touring throughout 2018 and released a live recording from their performance at The Troubadour.