The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Davy Jones, R.I.P.

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Davy Jones, R.I.P.

By Aaron Goldstein on 2.29.12 @ 5:12PM

Davy Jones, of the 1960s pop group The Monkees, died of a heart attack earlier today at his home in Florida. He was 66.

Jones began his career as a child actor in the 1950s on the long running BBC TV Series Coronation Street. After briefly apprenticeship as a racing jockey, he returned to acting and was cast as the lead in Oliver first in London and then New York.

In 1966, Jones along with Mickey Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork were cast by Bob Rafelson, Bert Schneider and their music produced by Don Kirshner in The Monkees. Both the show and the band became a cultural phenomenon during the late 1960s. Intended as a send up of The Beatles, Jones was the only Brit in the band. Jones shared lead vocal duties with Dolenz. Between 1966 and 1968, the Monkees had eight top twenty hits on Billboard including three number one hits. Jones sang lead on The Monkees final number one hit, "Daydream Believer" (written by John Stewart of The Kingston Trio) and also sang lead on "Valleri" (written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart) and "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" (written by Neil Diamond.)

After The Monkees went their separate ways in 1970, he and Dolenz had a brief collaboration with Boyce & Hart called Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart. From time to time, he show up on TV as he did in animated form on The New Scooby-Doo Movies. The Monkees reunited in 1986 and Jones would tour with the group most summers after that while occasionally releasing solo material.

I never had the opportunity to see The Monkees in concert. For every once in a lifetime an opportunity I get(as was the case with Glen Campbell last week), there is one I miss. Those who were in attendance at The Beacon Street Theater in New York last June should count their blessings.

View all comments (9) | Leave a comment

Bob Grant| 2.29.12 @ 6:16PM

I enjoyed the show growing up. He seemed to have a lot of charisma as the lead.

RIP

Jocon307| 2.29.12 @ 7:29PM

RIP Davy Jones, I never knew of his career prior to the Monkees.

Hubby had the honor to have him as a customer in the bar he was tending once. No complaints from him.

As sad day, and it makes me feel both old and too young.

Richard Baker| 2.29.12 @ 10:24PM

Enjoyed the show in the '60s when anyone with an English accent was thought to be cool and with it. He was also on Ed Sullivan with the Broadway cast of "Oliver" the night the Beatles first performed on Ed's show. Was from Manchester. RIP.

Mary Mountain| 2.29.12 @ 10:37PM

Davey Jones was the Artful Dodger in Oliver in 1964 in NYC. He was wonderful. May he rest in peace, and consider 'imself at 'ome in 'eaven.

The Bruce| 2.29.12 @ 11:03PM

God speed, David Jones.

WL| 3.1.12 @ 12:30AM

Sometimes I wonder why people say R.I.P.....

I really do!

To a realist like me it doesn't make sense because no one really rests when they die....

They are either having a real BIG TIME in heaven doing the twist on golden streets and catching record breaking Bass in Lake HolyFish...

Or they are burning in the lake of fire and enduring eternal fire for all of eternity in the Lake of Fire...

But ain't nobody really resting.

Andrew Keirns| 3.1.12 @ 1:02AM

I think Jimi Hendrix opened for the Monkees -- have to verify that.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 3.1.12 @ 6:00AM

Hendrix did open for them and walked off the stage during one show when the young girls kept calling for Davy Jones.

albert constantine jr.| 3.1.12 @ 12:34PM

...and who could forget the Brady Bunch episode where Marcia had a crush on Mr. Jones, and finally got to meet him. Ah, the cross marketing in those days (speaking of which, who remembers the appearance by Boyce & Hart on "Bewitched"?).