Davy Jones, singer and frontman of The Monkees, died this morning after suffering a heart attack, according to ABC News. He was 66.
According to Rolling Stone magazine, Jones had complained of chest pains last night and was admitted to a hospital this morning in Stuart, FL. The BBC reports that Jones died in his sleep at his home in Indiantown, FL, after suffering a massive heart attack.
No other details are known as this time, but the Martin County, FL, medical examiner’s office will be conducting an investigation, though they said in a statement to ABC News that “there does not appear to be any suspicious circumstances” surrounding the singer’s death.
In 1965, the British-born singer, who had begun his career in entertainment as a child actor, joined The Monkees, a U.S. pop-rock band created for the TV show of the same name. Jones’ boyish good looks made him an instant heartthrob. The band, modeled after the early Beatles sound, had hits with “I’m a Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville,” and “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” as well as the song that Jones is best known for – “Daydream Believer.”
While The Monkees television show was canceled in 1968, Jones and his bandmates — Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, and Michael Nesmith — stayed together as a group until 1971 and even starred in their own movie, Head. Guitar legend Jimi Hendrix was even their opening act on tour in 1967! (Hendrix eventually dropped off the tour). The group suffered major backlash when it was revealed that they didn’t always play their own music on their albums (not their fault, but at the insistence of the record company) and had to prove themselves as musicians on tour.
Over the years, members of the band have gotten together for reunion albums and tours, and Jones went on to continue music and acting (who could forget his guest appearance on The Brady Bunch!). He had been on a solo tour this month.
RIP – Davy Jones
December 30, 1945 – February 29, 2012
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[Source: ABC News | Rolling Stone | BBC]
This was so sad – Davy Jones was my first celebrity crush. Now they are another band I always wish I had seen….
Comment by Aeryn2769 — March 3, 2012 @ 1:32 pm