It has just been announced that Davy Jones, frontman of the Monkees, has passed away.  He was admitted to a hospital in Stuart, Florida after complaining of chest pains during a solo tour this month.  Jones died of a heart attack at age 66.

David Jones was born in Manchester, England and started acting at a young age.  He saw his major break when he was cast in The Monkees, a comedy show and band inspired by the success of The Beatles.  As reported by the Rolling Stone, The Monkees had sold more albums than The Beatles at the peak of their career in ’67.

The songs that saw mainstream success were written by famed songwriters like Carole King and Neil Diamond, though the group insisted that they start writing and playing their own instruments after some time.  Though the group eventually fell out of the public eye, they maintained a cult following and saw successful reunion tours for decades after their peak.  After the Monkees split, Jones immersed himself in a solo career and started acting again, though his later endeavors were somewhat haunted by his involvement with the Monkees.

Here is band member Michael Nesmith’s beautiful tribute to Davy Jones:

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.

R.I.P. Davy Jones