Former Monkees Singer Davy Jones Dies of Heart Attack
Lead singer of The Monkees Davy Jones, 66, died Wednesday in Florida after suffering from a massive heart attack. Helen Kensick, his publicist, confirmed that he died in Indiantown, where he resided.
Jones was born on Dec. 30, 1945 in Manchester, England. He rose to fame in 1965 when he joined The Monkees, a British rock group formed for a U.S. television show. He sang lead vocals on songs such as “I Wanna Be Free” and “Daydream Believer.” He left the band in 1970, according to the Monkees website.
After that, he recorded his solo hit “Rainy Jane” in 1971 and appeared on American television and variety shows, such as “Love American Style” and “The Brady Bunch.”
"He's probably one of the first things I watched on T.V.," said Monkees fan D'Andre Ford. "And the songs are all classics."
In the 1980s Jones reunited with former Monkee member Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and promoter David Fishof to participate in a reunion tour. Subsequently, MTV re-aired The Monkees series.
"It was really interesting because The Monkees wasn't just music. It also was a comedy show," said fan Brian Mciroly. "They showed two different sides to them. And that's what I really loved about them. When I heard that he passed away this morning I was just heartbroken."
Jones, Tork, and Dolenz recorded the album “Pool It” in 1987. Two years later, they were given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Jones is survived by his wife, Jessica and four children from previous marriages.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is a Very Sad Day!!! Davy Jones will be missed without a doubt. There is truly a piece of me that is gone.