Davy Jones of The Monkees Dead at 66 [Archive] - satFIX.to

Fastcompany

02-29-2012, 11:14 PM

Monkees singer Davy Jones dead at 66

Reuters Feb 29, 2012 – 1:20 PM ET | Last Updated: Feb 29, 2012 2:12 PM ET
http://nationalpostarts.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/davyjones.gif?w=620 Reuters
Former Monkees singer Davy Jones has died at age 66 in Florida.

Davy Jones, former lead singer of the 1960s made-for-television pop band The Monkees, died on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack in Florida, according to his longtime publicist. He was 66.
Jones’ death was confirmed by Christine Weekes, administrative manager for the medical examiner’s office in Fort Pierce, Fla., near the Martin Memorial Hospital South where the performer had been taken.
His publicist, Helen Kensick, said Jones died of a heart attack in Indiantown, Fla., but she had no further details.

Jones, born in Manchester, England, became the principal teen idol of the rock quartet featured on the NBC comedy series The Monkees, which was inspired in part by the Beatles film A Hard Day’s Night and ran for two seasons from the fall of 1966 to August of 1968.
Although not allowed to play their own instruments on their early records, Jones and his three cohorts — Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork — had several hits that sold millions of copies, including Last Train to Clarksville and I’m a Believer.
Jones got his start as a young actor, at the age of 11, on the British soap opera Coronation Street before landing a role as the Artful Dodger in a West End production of Oliver! He went on to originate that role for the Broadway production and earned a Tony nomination.
But Jones gained stardom after answering a casting call for a new TV series being created about the zany misadventures of four Beatles-like rock musicians called the Monkees. Two members of the group, Nesmith and Tork, were actual musicians with performing and recording experience, while Jones and Dolenz were primarily actors who more or less dabbled in music.
Although disparaged by critics as the “Pre-Fab Four” for the manufactured way in which the band came together, the group proved to be adept performers who were eventually given control over their own recordings.
The TV series, introduced by its catchy theme, Hey, Hey, We’re the Monkees, debuted as an immediate ratings hit weeks after the group’s first single, Last Train to Clarksville, had topped the pop charts.
The group collaborated early on with some of the major songwriters and session musicians of the day, including Neil Diamond, Carole King, Glen Campbell and Hal Blaine.
The self-titled first LP topped the album charts that October, and the popularity of the group generated a wave of merchandising, including toys, games and lunchboxes. But their first and only feature film, Head, was a box-office flop.
After their fifth album, the group began to splinter, releasing two more albums as a trio without Tork and one last LP as a duo following Nesmith’s exit in 1969.
Jones was scheduled to perform with music contemporary David Cassidy, formerly of the Partridge Family, at the Magic City Casino in Miami on April 14.
The singer is survived by his wife Jessica and four daughters from previous marriages.

Fastcompany

03-01-2012, 02:36 PM

Davy Jones looking healthy and happy at autographing signing just a fortnight before his death

British-born Jones died in his sleep at his Florida home
Sixties icon survived by wife Jessica and four daughters
Bandmates Micky and Peter react to shock news
American group reformed last year and toured UK and U.S.
But new tour dates were cancelled amid reports of infighting
A woman made a 911 call from Davy's home urging the operator to 'hurry'

By Paul Thompson and Kimberley Dadds

Last updated at 11:42 AM on 1st March 2012

He suddenly passed away in his sleep yesterday morning following a massive heart attack.
But photos have now emerged of The Monkees star Davy Jones looking healthy and happy at an autographing session just over a fortnight ago.
The lead singer of the 1960s group died at his home in Florida at the age of 66 on Wednesday morning.
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http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/03/01/article-0-11FAF614000005DC-204_634x802.jpg A picture of health: Davy Jones, who suddenly passed away on Wednesday morning, looked happy as he signed autographs at an event in California just two weeks ago

Stars including Eva Longoria, Boy George and Nancy Sinatra have all taken to Twitter to express their shock and sadness at his passing.

And seen in pictures that have emerged of him just a fortnight ago, the singer looked tanned and full of life.
The singer was appearing at the quarterly 'Hollywood show' autograph session in Burbank, California on 11 February alongside other star greeters including Harry Potter's Tom Felton and American Pie actress Shannon Elizabeth.

And he was clearly enjoying himself as fans flocked to see him and receive their own special signature.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/03/01/article-0-11FAF7C0000005DC-390_634x522.jpg Greeting fans: On 11 February the lead singer of The Monkees attended the autograph session in Burbank as he joked and laughed with passers by

In the photos Davy is seen grinning widely as he holds up some signed guitars and joked with passers by.
He was also seen signing memorabilia such as CD cases and posters of the group in their heyday as he beamed for the cameras.
And he was due to carry out a similar session in May at the Dead Mans Curve Hot Rod Event in New Jersey in May, where he was due to hold a private meet and greet for several selected fans.

The lead singer of the Daydream Believer group – which also consists of original members Micky Dolenz, 66, and 70-year-old Peter Tork – passed away in Indiantown, where he lived, his publicist, Helen Kensick, confirmed.

An official from the medical examiner's office for Martin County, Florida, said they received a phone call from the Martin Memorial Hospital informing them that Davy had died.
A spokesman for the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said he was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital in the town of Stuart.

The spokesman said they are investigating Jones’s death but said there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

A statement released by the Sherriff’s Office said: ' A witness has stated that earlier this morning he was at 9955 SW Fox Brown Road in Indiantown, Florida, with David Jones (He stated Mr. Jones began to complain of not feeling well and having trouble breathing.

'Martin County Fire Rescue responded and transported Mr. Jones to Martin Health System. Stuart, where he was pronounced deceased. At this time there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. Family has been notified.'

His bandmate, drummer Micky Dolenz, released a statement to TMZ saying he had 'bad dreams all night long' before learning of his friend's death this morning.

'Can't believe it...Still in shock...had bad dreams all night long,' Dolenz said, adding: 'My love and prayers go out to Davy's girls and family right now.'
Bassist Peter Tork released a statement saying: 'It is with great sadness that I reflect on the sudden passing of my long-time friend and fellow-adventurer, David Jones.'

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/02/29/article-2108301-11DFFE96000005DC-508_634x769.jpg With his bandmats: From left, Peter Tork, Mickey Dolenz, Jones and Michael Nesmith, seen here in 1966
'His talent will be much missed; his gifts will be with us always. My deepest sympathy to Jessica and the rest of his family.

'Adios, to the Manchester Cowboy.'
Michael Nesmith who didn't join the original members of the group, Davy, Micky and Peter - in reuniting for a 45th anniversary tour last year - also revealed he will 'miss' the pop icon.

He wrote: 'I will miss him, but I won’t abandon him to mortality. I will think of him as existing within the animating life that insures existence.'
The 911 call that was made to call an ambulance to Davy's home can be heard below.

The woman on the phone is heard telling the operator that she needs an ambulance and urged 'hurry'.

She was then heard shouting at other people in the background.

Davy leaves behind four daughters, Talia Elizabeth, 43, and Sarah Lee, 40 from his marriage to Linda Haines, and Jessica Lillian, 30, and 23-year-old Annabel Charlotte from his marriage to Anita Pollinger.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/02/29/article-2108301-11F94109000005DC-91_634x451.jpg Monkee-ing around: Davy joined The Monkees in 1965 along with Micky, Peter and Michael Nesmith and became a television hit

The pop icon – who was born in Manchester, North West England – married 33-year-old TV presenter Jessica Pacheo, who he met in 2006, in August 2009.

In May 2011, the singer said he was having some of the happiest times he's ever had in his life with Jessica.

He explained: 'We have love. We have friendship. She’s also aware of what I’ve done in music, and the fact that I no longer really need to prove anything.'
Davy joined The Monkees in 1965 along with Micky, Peter and Michael Nesmith – who did not rejoin the group for their shows last year – and they went on to record a number of hit records including Daydream Believer, Last Train To Clarksville and I'm a Believer.
Jones was born on December 30, 1945, in Manchester, England. His long hair and British accent helped Jones achieve heartthrob status in the United States.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/02/29/article-2108301-11F94650000005DC-872_634x462.jpg
Just months before his death: Pictured at the Royal Albert Hall last May with two of his daughters, Annabel, left, next to her Jessica and far right, his wife Jessica Pacheco

Last year, the pop/rock group - who were created to appear in their own TV show in the 60s - reformed for a 45th anniversary tour, but they ended up scrapping some dates amid reports of fall outs between the group.
At the time, Micky wrote on his Facebook page: 'Dear Fans and Friends, The Monkee Tour has, indeed, been cancelled but for reasons that I cannot discuss at this time.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/03/01/article-2108301-11F98D75000005DC-308_634x898.jpg Paying tribute: Various celebrities including Eva Longoria, Elijah Wood and Stephen Fry, paid tribute to the singer on Twitter

'I can say that the reasons pertain to business and are internal matters.
'Needless to say, I am disappointed but the situation was unavoidable and I want to apologise to all the fans out there who will not be able to experience what was a wonderful show indeed. Regretfully, Micky (sic).'

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/02/29/article-2108301-11F963C6000005DC-714_634x554.jpg Making a comeback: Jones reformed with the band last year for a UK and U.S. tour, seen here in London in May giving Micky a high five

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.

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.

'R.I.P. Davy Jones' is now trending on Twitter with celebrities starting to pay their respects.
Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria tweeted: 'My heart is sad that my favorite Monkee Davey Jones has passed away! #I'mABeliever'.
And Melrose Place star Lisa Rinna retweeted Eva's message, writing: 'Ditto! He was my 1st crush!'