Monkees Star Davy Jones Dead at 66

From MSNBC:

“Singer Davy Jones of The Monkees has died of a heart attack at 66, the medical examiner’s office in Martin County, Fla., has confirmed to NBC News.

A statement issued by the medical examiner’s office says that Jones complained Wednesday morning that he wasn’t feeling well and was having trouble breathing. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No suspicious circumstances surrounded his death, and his family has been notified. He is survived by his wife. Jessica, and four daughters.”

For the full story, go here.

Michael Nesmith, one of Jones’s bandmates in the Monkees, posted the following on his Facebook page:

All the lovely people. Where do they all come from?

So many lovely and heartfelt messages of condolence and sympathy, I don’t know what to say, except my sincere thank you to all. I share and appreciate your feelings.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.

While it is jarring, and sometimes seems unjust, or strange, this transition we call dying and death is a constant in the mortal experience that we know almost nothing about. I am of the mind that it is a transition and I carry with me a certainty of the continuity of existence. While I don’t exactly know what happens in these times, there is an ongoing sense of life that reaches in my mind out far beyond the near horizons of mortality and into the reaches of infinity.

That David has stepped beyond my view causes me the sadness that it does many of you. 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. I will think of him and his family with that gentle regard in spite of all the contrary appearances on the mortal plane.

David’s spirit and soul live well in my heart, among all the lovely people, who remember with me the good times, and the healing times, that were created for so many, including us.

I have fond memories. I wish him safe travels.

In this interview on the Today Show, Monkees drummer Mickey Dolenz says Davy Jones was the band’s go-to guy for fun.

And Peter Tork, also a Monkee, recalls his favorite memory of Jones here.

And here’s Davy Jones singing “Daydream Believer” with U2:

http://youtu.be/X9m-hkvFDLk