This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-17214430

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Davy Jones of The Monkees dies aged 66 Davy Jones of The Monkees dies aged 66
(40 minutes later)
  
Davy Jones, Manchester-born lead singer with 60s band The Monkees, has died aged 66, his publicist has confirmed.Davy Jones, Manchester-born lead singer with 60s band The Monkees, has died aged 66, his publicist has confirmed.
He died in his sleep at his home in Florida. His publicist, Deborah Robicheau, said he had a massive heart attack.He died in his sleep at his home in Florida. His publicist, Deborah Robicheau, said he had a massive heart attack.
The band, who included musicians Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, were famous for hits including Daydream Believer and I'm a Believer.The band, who included musicians Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, were famous for hits including Daydream Believer and I'm a Believer.
The Monkees were an American pop band, assembled in 1966.The Monkees were an American pop band, assembled in 1966.
Jones was married three times and had four daughters.Jones was married three times and had four daughters.
The Monkees found fame through a successful television series, popular in both the US and the UK, and had four number one albums in a 13-month period.The Monkees found fame through a successful television series, popular in both the US and the UK, and had four number one albums in a 13-month period.
They were famous for their clean-cut image and were marketed as the American answer to The Beatles, notching up nine top 40 hits.They were famous for their clean-cut image and were marketed as the American answer to The Beatles, notching up nine top 40 hits.
Acting careerActing career
Three of the band's original members - Jones, Dolenz and Tork - reunited together last year to play a series of gigs.Three of the band's original members - Jones, Dolenz and Tork - reunited together last year to play a series of gigs.
He appeared aged 11 on ITV soap Coronation Street, as Ena Sharples's grandson. He also appeared in the television series Z Cars before leaving showbusiness to train as a jockey.He appeared aged 11 on ITV soap Coronation Street, as Ena Sharples's grandson. He also appeared in the television series Z Cars before leaving showbusiness to train as a jockey.
He came back to acting with a role in a stage production of Oliver! He appeared in the West End and followed the show to Broadway where he built up a career as an actor and singer before auditioning for The Monkees.He came back to acting with a role in a stage production of Oliver! He appeared in the West End and followed the show to Broadway where he built up a career as an actor and singer before auditioning for The Monkees.
Music journalist Paul Gambaccini described Jones as having "phenomenal" charisma and said that in 2008, he was voted the top teen idol of all time by Yahoo! Music.Music journalist Paul Gambaccini described Jones as having "phenomenal" charisma and said that in 2008, he was voted the top teen idol of all time by Yahoo! Music.
"The pop world at that time loved The Beatles and that north-western English sound was something that America wanted, when they put together the so-called Pre-Fab Four," he said, referring to the nickname given to the Monkees."The pop world at that time loved The Beatles and that north-western English sound was something that America wanted, when they put together the so-called Pre-Fab Four," he said, referring to the nickname given to the Monkees.
Developing talentDeveloping talent
Mr Gambaccini said The Monkees had been put together by the music industry, something which was unheard of at that time.Mr Gambaccini said The Monkees had been put together by the music industry, something which was unheard of at that time.
"There had been individual teen idols who had been literally picked up off the street and groomed to be popstar, but there had never been a band that was put together, and they were assembled because the two producers had liked A Hard Day's Night, the Beatles' movie.""There had been individual teen idols who had been literally picked up off the street and groomed to be popstar, but there had never been a band that was put together, and they were assembled because the two producers had liked A Hard Day's Night, the Beatles' movie."
Radio presenter Dave Lee Travis said: "One of the things that people will probably be thinking about Davy Jones is, the fact that he was 66. He always looked like a little kid. I think even in his latter years he looked very, very young."Radio presenter Dave Lee Travis said: "One of the things that people will probably be thinking about Davy Jones is, the fact that he was 66. He always looked like a little kid. I think even in his latter years he looked very, very young."
He described the Monkees as "a lot of fun" and as a band which overcame its critics.He described the Monkees as "a lot of fun" and as a band which overcame its critics.
"Everybody, even at the time, was going that this is so un-cool. It's a made-up group and they're not really very talented."Everybody, even at the time, was going that this is so un-cool. It's a made-up group and they're not really very talented.
"But they became talented, which was the good thing. They started with a modicum of talent and that was developed over a period of time. And basically, they had fun with the TV shows. I think people look back and think it is crazy, it is cartoon stuff. But that is why it was good.""But they became talented, which was the good thing. They started with a modicum of talent and that was developed over a period of time. And basically, they had fun with the TV shows. I think people look back and think it is crazy, it is cartoon stuff. But that is why it was good."
A spokeswoman for the Medical Examiner's Office for Martin County, Florida, said: "The District 19 Medical Examiner's Office has been informed of the death of Mr Davy Jones. A former apprentice jockey in Newmarket, Jones remained a keen horseman all his life, winning his first race in England as a jockey in 1996. He also trained horses.
"The Medical Examiner's Office will take jurisdiction and a possible autopsy will be performed and evaluation of the circumstances of death and medical information." Jones also wrote short stories, poetry, and was interested in photography.