Monkees’ Davy Jones Dead at 66
Life is fragile, and short. We never know when the end will come, and death doesn’t discriminate. Rich or poor, famous or obscure, nobody gets out alive and nothing goes with you. Death signals the end of life, the time when the music stops and there is no chair left for you at the dance. Davy Jones, beloved star of the singing group The Monkees, died today of an apparent heart attack.
The Monkees are an American pop rock group. Assembled in Los Angeles in 1966 by Robert “Bob” Rafelson and Bert Schneider for the American television series The Monkees, which aired from 1966 to 1968, the musical acting quartet was composed of Americans Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork, and Englishman Davy Jones. The band’s music was initially supervised by producer Don Kirshner.
At the time of the group’s formation, its producers saw The Monkees as a Beatles-like band. At the start, the band members provided vocals, but were given only limited performing and production opportunities. They eventually fought for and earned the right to collectively supervise all musical output under the band’s name. The group undertook several concert tours, allowing an opportunity to perform as a live band as well as on the TV series. Although the show was canceled in 1968, the band continued to record music through 1970. The group reached the height of fame from 1966 to 1968, and influenced many future artists. In 1986, their 20th year, the television show and music experienced a revival, which led to a series of reunion tours, and new records featuring various incarnations of the band’s lineup.
The Monkees had a number of international hits which are still heard on pop and oldies stations. These include “(Theme From) The Monkees”, “Last Train to Clarksville”, “I’m A Believer”, “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone”, “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “Daydream Believer”. Their albums and singles have sold over 65 million copies worldwide.
(CBS News) The Monkees lead singer Davy Jones has died, according to the medical examiner’s office in Martin County, Fla. He was 66.
Apparently he had gone to his ranch to visit his horses when he began complaining to a ranch hand that he wasn’t feeling well and was having trouble breathing. Paramedics were summoned and he was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A spokesman at the medical office confirmed to CBSNews.com that it had received word of his death. “A possible autopsy may be performed after evaluation of the circumstances of the death and medical information,” the spokesperson said.
Jones’ rep confirmed to the Associated Press that he died Wednesday morning of a heart attack in Indiantown, Fla., where he lived. Jones’ death was first reported by TMZ.
Born in Manchester, England, Jones rose to stardom as a teen idol on the NBC comedy series, “The Monkees,” which ran from 1966 to 1968. The show, which followed a rock group modeled after the Beatles, also starred Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork. They were originally banned from playing their own instruments on the show. The Monkees scored several hits, including “Last Train to Clarksville” and “I’m a Believer.”
After the show ended, the Monkees started to disband. Jones released a self-titled album in 1971. In the mid-1980s, Jones, Tork, Dolenz and promoter David Fishof got together for a reunion tour. In 1987, Jones, Tork and Dolenz released a new album called “Pool It.” To mark the Monkees’ 30th anniversary, the group, including Nesmith, put out a new studio album in 1996 titled “Justus.”
Jones has been active on the music scene as of late, and was on tour as recently as this year.
Jones is survived by his wife, Jessica.
Video courtesy of kandkdance. CBS News and Wikipedia contributed to this story.
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I never stopped loving The Monkees. This is a sad day.
What a loss. 🙁