Massive Heart Attack Claims Monkees Singer Davy Jones
- Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:20pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Davy Jones, a former actor turned singer who helped propel the TV rock band The Monkees to the top of the pop charts and into rock `n’ roll history, died Wednesday in Florida. He was 66.
Jones, lead singer of the 1960s group that was assembled as an American version of the Beatles, died of a massive heart attack in Indiantown where he lived, his publicist Helen Kensick confirmed.
FILE - This Nov.11, 2009 file photo shows musician Davy Jones attending the 43rd Annual Country Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn. Jones died Wednesday Feb. 29, 2012 in Florida. He was 66. (AP)
Jones was a former racehorse jockey-turned-actor who soared to fame in 1965 when he joined The Monkees and they embarked on an adventure that included a wildly popular U.S. television show. Jones sang lead vocals on songs like “I Wanna Be Free” and “Daydream Believer.”
The band was assembled as with its personnel designed to be the instant stars of an American TV series seeking to evoke the Beatles, then already famous for their music and such films as “A Hard Day’s Night and “Help!”
Auditions for The Monkees were held in the fall of 1965, attracting some 500 applicants. Jones – who was born Dec. 30, 1945, in Manchester, England – had stylishly long hair and a British accent that helped with his selection. He would go on to achieve heartthrob status in the United States.
Nonetheless, musical ability wasn’t paramount in the casting decisions. While Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork had some musical experience, Mickey Dolenz had been a child actor, as had Jones along with being a jockey in his native England.
In August 1966, the Beatles performed in San Francisco, playing their last live set for a paying audience. The same month, the Monkees released their first album, introducing the world to the group that would star in the NBC series when it premiered in September 1966.
The first single, “Last Train to Clarksville,” became a No. 1 hit. And the show caught on with audiences, featuring fast-paced, helter-skelter comedy inspired as much by the Marx Brothers as the Beatles.
It was a shrewd case of cross-platform promotion. As David Bianculli noted in his “Dictionary of Teleliteracy,“ ”The show’s self-contained music videos, clear forerunners of MTV, propelled the group’s first seven singles to enviable positions of the pop charts: three number ones, two number twos, two number threes.”
And though initially the Monkees weren’t allowed to play their own instruments, they were supported by enviable talent: Carole King and Gerry Goffin wrote “Pleasant Valley Sunday,“ and Neil Diamond penned ”I’m a Believer.”
Musicians who played on their records included Billy Preston (who only later played with the Beatles), Glen Campbell, Leon Russell, Ry Cooder and Neil Young.
After two seasons, the TV series had flared out and was cancelled in the summer of 1968. But the Monkeys remained a nostalgia act for decades.
According to The Monkees website, Monkees.com, Jones left the band in late 1970. In the summer of 1971, he recorded a solo hit “Rainy Jane” and made a series of appearances on American variety and television shows, including “Love American Style” and “The Brady Bunch.”
Jones played himself in a widely popular Brady Bunch episode, which aired in late 1971. In the episode, Marcia Brady, president of her school’s Davy Jones fan club, promised she could get him to sing at a school dance.
Amid lingering nostalage for the Monkees, by the mid-1980s, Jones teamed up with former Monkee Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and promoter David Fishof for a reunion tour. Their popularity prompted MTV to re-air The Monkees series, introducing the group to a new audience.
In 1987, Jones, Tork and Micky Dolenz recorded a new album, “Pool It.” Two years later, the group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In the late 1990s, the group filmed a special called “Hey, Hey, It’s the Monkees.”
Jones is survived by his wife, Jessica.
—
AP Music Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody and AP Television Writer Frazier Moore contributed to this report from New York.
Blaze note: The Associated Press corrected its story — The Monkees were not a British group formed for U.S. TV.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 706 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 550 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 367 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 363 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 361 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 363 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 367 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 281 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 149 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 363 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (80)
hauschild
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 3:21pmMy older sisters will be crushed.
The old boy was a jovial old bloke, though, wasn’t he?
Report Post »Delta D-5-3
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 3:37pmRIP Davey. I wasn‘t old enough to remember them in the 60’s, but when I did discover them I thought they were pretty cool. You’ll be missed by many, many fans………
Report Post »db321
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 3:37pmGood by Old friend! Thank you for the Memories. You made me laughs, smile and now you made me shed a tear or two.
RIP Mr. Davey Jones and may God comfort your family and friends.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 3:57pm:-(
I loved the Monkees on Nickelodeon…
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 4:40pmMy great, great grandmother was crushed….
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 6:07pmi’m crushed.i loved the show and never understood why people who were into rock didn’t like their music.i thought their songs were on par with the hip rock groups of the day but when i said that people said that wasn’t real music.i never got it-they were just snobs -i think.
Report Post »Shiroi Raion
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 4:35pmI’ve been watching their videos and remembering better times. It reminds me of an happier, healthier time when kids were just kids – playing outside, climbing trees, swimming, making snowmen – not surfing the net (it didn’t exist), not playing mindless video games for hours (what game did we have – Pong? LOL), and when shows like Night Gallery were the scariest and Monty Python and Benny Hill were about the naughtiest things on TV. LOL.
How many TV channels did we have? VHF: 2, 4, 5, 7, and 9 UHF: 27 and 78 (barely came in – mostly snow and static – had to mess with the dial a lot), 38, and 56.
ABC, NBC, CBS news was all we had and we mostly watched them for the weather LOL… they were all the same… until one day a Fox came along :)
The Monkees were on channel 56, immediately after school, just as The Banana Splits was ending if I remember correctly. LOL… do these memories make anybody else feel old too?
Peter Tork is the oldest of The Monkees? I always thought Mickey and Mike were the oldest. Peter had such a baby face.
Rest in Piece, Davy J and Andrew B.
Report Post »ErinLindsey
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 3:19pmI remember when the Monkees had their comeback in the mid-1980s when MTV aired the tv show constantly for months. I wasnt around for their first run, but I was an obsessed 16yr old for their comeback.
Davy Jones was the only one of the Monkees that I got to meet. Stood in line for three hours to meet him. Got his autograph and he gave me a kiss on the cheek. When I heard this morning that he died, I cried. I didnt cry for Whitney Houston or Michael Jackson, but I did cry for Davy. I’m heartbroken.
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 3:35pmApparently a nice guy.
Report Post »Telcoman
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:58pmERINLINDSEY: I saw them on TV as a kid, never had the pleasure of meeting any of them, but I am glad you did. I still listen to them, but then again I am just an old romantic. But yes he will be missed, but always loved by us who were touched by the Monkeys.
Report Post »ErinLindsey
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 11:51pm@Telcoman
I recently found the pictures I took of Davy when I met him. He kidded around with me and my friends a little bit because the line wrapped around the back of the little stage the mall had put up for him to stand on while he signed autographs. We were probably a bit annoying, peeking thru the curtains of the little stage. At one point he turned around and went “Boo!!!” to us and then asked politely if we’d stop peeking. We told him sorry, and stopped. When we got up to meet him, he thanked us again and told us that he had some of the best fans in the world. It was really cool to meet him. I’d still like to meet the other Monkees, but if I dont, I‘m really glad that he’s the one I was lucky enough to meet.
I hope his family was able to say goodbye to him before he passed. I feel really sad for them.
Report Post »sunshineday
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 3:17pmMy MP3 player has been playing your song…and today with a saddened heart. God be with your family as they grieve their loss. Thank you for the show, the laughter and your music.
Report Post »bustedupvet
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 3:16pmSorry to hear about Davey Jones. Just listened to Daydream Believer yesterday. RIP Buddy
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 3:52pmLove that song, I am sad.
Report Post »Barb
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 3:15pmSo sad to hear this today. 66…my gosh so young. Brings back memories of my childhood.
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 3:13pmToo young to die – this makes me sad. God bless you Davy – Rest in Peace, old friend.
Report Post »LIBS-ARE-DINGLEHEADS
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 3:12pmTIME….Marches ON……R.I.P.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:58pm.
One last trip on that Train to Clarksville, you should be there by 4:30……
RIP Davey…….
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:58pmwe remember all the girls in class back in the 5th or 6th Grade? had his lunch box.
Report Post »huntee
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:53pmFun guy, fun band and fun show,I think he is also worthy of a TV funeral, ie.(Jackson, Houston), but I doubt he’ll get it!
Report Post »Telcoman
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 8:00pmDitto, but alas it will not happen.
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 9:17amI think the last thing I’d want is the State Controlled Media involved in my demise. RIP, Davy.
Report Post »Telcoman
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:52pmI have a few of their songs on my computer. I watched the show as a kid and still listen to their music from time to time. So I just want to thank you Davy for the memories and the music, may you now be in the comfort of God’s hands.
Report Post »Mo Better
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:51pmRIP, Davy!
Thanks for all the smiles and great memories over the years – and thanks for having been a class act, a rarity then and now!
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:50pmThose were the good ole days……………..
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:59pmand a good clean fun show for kids and good clean fun songs. we remember no parents objected.
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 5:30pmLOL — mine objected to their long hair and that Mickey had used pot.
RIP Davy!
Report Post »Alexandra1214
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:46pmtick tock … tick tock …. another piece of my youth … gone …. Sorry to hear of his passing … I can recall begging my parents to allow me to watch the TV show …..RIP
Report Post »Cherynn
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:45pmI cant believe Jimi Hendrix opened for the Monkees on the ‘67 tour, what a trip! Goodbye Davey, you will be missed.
Report Post »PJL
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:42pmSaw them live, RIP Davey.
Report Post »huey6367
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:41pmWhen I was a kid, we would watch the Monkees on TV every morning. It was great harmless fun for a 5 year old to watch while mom and dad kept sleeping. He will surely be missed.
Report Post »nobull14
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:40pmI liked the monkeys and Davy Jones . But I bet most people did not know that Frank Zappa a real waco produced the show ? I thought for sure he would of had the mothers of invention on the show before they canceled it?
Report Post »GollygeeMrwilson
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:58pmFrank did do a lead-in to one show with Michael Nesmith in which he beat an old car with a chain. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgNxuNaYHsk
Report Post »DizzyBlueBaby
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:39pmEnd of an era-albeit a cheesy one.
Report Post »susie4dy
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:35pmTha is very sad! I like him alot!
Report Post »Gold Nugget
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:34pmI wonder if they will be lowering the flag to half mast for Davy?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:33pmRIP Davy .. yes I too was a big fan .. even tracked down his first album before being with the Monkees ..and saw him as The Artful Dodger on Ed Sullivan …
http://davyjones.bandcamp.com/track/oliver-medley-ed-sullivan-show-2-9-64
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 3:17pmFound the Sullivan clip …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-fLLuQgIss
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:26pmDavy Jones is taking the last train to Clarksville.
Report Post »Bonnieblue2A
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:26pmDavey Jones takes his last train to Clarksville, RIP.
I grew up on the Music of the Monkees. Thanks for the upbeat songs, cheesy but harmless TV show, and smiles over the years.
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:29pmAre you my long lost sister?
Report Post »texasfarmer
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:24pmThe Monkeys was the first concert I ever went to.
Report Post »BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
Posted on February 29, 2012 at 2:53pmIt was mine too. Saw them in Charleston, WVa., in 1985. I use to watch their tv series all the time. I still have one of their cds. This is really sad.
Report Post »