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Davy Jones of The Monkees dies aged 66 Davy Jones of The Monkees dies aged 66
(about 3 hours 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 had a massive heart attack.He died in his sleep at his home in Florida. His publicist, Deborah Robicheau, said he had had a massive heart attack.
Brought together for a US TV series in 1966, Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork hits included Daydream Believer and I'm a Believer.Brought together for a US TV series in 1966, Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork hits included Daydream Believer and I'm a Believer.
Jones was married three times and had four daughters.Jones was married three times and had four daughters.
The Monkees' TV show was popular in both the US and the UK, and the band had four number one albums in a 13-month period The Monkees' TV show was popular in both the US and the UK, and the band 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. David Thomas Jones was born in 1945 to a railway fitter and a housewife in Manchester.
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 appeared aged 11 on soap opera Coronation Street, playing Ena Sharples's grandson.
He also had a role in the television series Z Cars, but when his mother died of emphysema in 1960, he left showbusiness to train as a jockey.
Basil Foster, the jockey who acted as his mentor, noticed Jones's skill as a performer and encouraged him to pursue his acting career.
He returned to acting with a role in a West End production of Oliver! After it transferred to Broadway, 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. 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. Ricky Wilson, of the Kaiser Chiefs, speaking at the NME awards, said Jones would be missed.
"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." He said about Jones and The Monkees: "It was just some guys having fun. Not in the sort of forced, manufactured way, although many would say they were the first manufactured band.
"I think there's something infectious about guys looking like that and having fun: The tunes, you can't argue with them."
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.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.
Jones also wrote short stories, poetry, and was interested in photography.Jones also wrote short stories, poetry, and was interested in photography.