Originally published by L.S. Media. February 29th 2012.
The world of entertainment was plunged into mourning today as news broke that one of the most loved icons of sixties music and television, Davy Jones, passed away suddenly of a heart attack at home in Florida.
To some, Davy Jones was the loveable Brit in a show that showcased the dangers of manufactured bands in America. To others he was an inspiration, a singer, actor who grew up in front of television audiences all round the world.
Born in Manchester in December 1945, Davy Jones grew up Openshaw and would go on to become a household name, first as the cheeky grandson, Colin Lomax, of Coronation Street’s formidable matriarch, Ena Sharples and then towards the end of the 1960’s he was cast in a show that went onto become a world-wide hit and one that spawned a multitude of hits in The Monkees. Alongside Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork the “band” scored such hits as Pleasant Valley Sunday, Last Train to Clarksville, I’m a Believer and notably for Davy Jones the song Daydream Believer.
The superstardom that was afforded him, along with his handsome looks and cheeky easy going grin were a far cry from what might have been. Instead of an actor/singer the world of horse racing nearly beckoned as he trained with Basil Foster after his mother had died of emphysema when he was 14 years old.
Thankfully a friend of Basil Foster approached the trainer, who worked in the West End theatres, was looking for actors to take part in a production of Oliver. Foster was reported as saying “I got a kid”, from that moment Davy Jones life changed forever as he fell in love with theatre. Cast as the Artful Dodger was a stroke of genius and it was through sheer guts and determination the young lad go to Broadway to reprise the role and see him nominated for a prestigious Tony Award.
In February 1964, the young Davy Jones was booked on to the Ed Sullivan show, the same programme that saw The Beatles make their debut. It can seem that fate can be ironic at times.
In 1965 Jones became a member of a band that divided opinion and even now nearly 50 years after the formation of The Monkees, still drives a wedge between music lovers on what can be considered real music and what is manufactured. Yes, The Monkees were put together as an American response to phenomenally successful Beatles but they also provided a lot of people with a lot of joy and a string of memorable hits.
The MoDavy Jonesnkees split up in 1971 but got back together many times in later years but without Mike Nesmith, and thrilled audiences over and over again with their laid back charm and Californian dreamy style music.
In the years that followed Jones remained productive and although not as much in the public eye still appeared in many guises and was named in 2008 as Yahoo’ music’s teen idol of all time. No doubt an accolade that would have tickled him and made that famous cheeky grin even wider!
Davy Jones: Born Manchester, England: 30th December 1945. Died 29th February 2012. Indiantown, Florida, United States of America.
Ian D. Hall