The Passing of Davy Jones

The news of the death of  Davy Jones, member of the 1960s manufactured pop-group the Monkees, has by now been widely reported on all media.

The only British member of the "prefab four" passed away after suffering a massive heart attack in his sleep, at his home in Indiantown, Florida.

Davy Jones Performing in 2006

Born in Manchester, the 66 year old first came to prominence appearing in the long running UK soap opera  Coronation Street, playing the part of Ena Sharples' grandson.

At age 14, when his mother died from emphysema, he gave up acting to train as a horse race jockey - his diminutive size being an asset in this change of direction. His love affair with horses and racing remained until his death.

This change of career was not to last long however as he took the part of the Artful Dodger in a London West End production of Oliver, before taking the role to Broadway and being nominated for a Tony award.

In 1965 he was cast as a member of the legendary Monkees and the rest, as they say, is history.

Jones is the 2nd high profile music star to die within the last month, after the passing of soul diva Whitney Houston.

In an interview with BBC Radio a year ago publicising a reunion tour, he stated that his own favourite Monkees song of all was the Gerry Goffin and Carole King penned Pleasant Valley Sunday. 

Sung by Mickey Dolenz, with a memorable Mike Nesmith guitar riff, it was probably my favourite also.

The Monkees - Pleasant Valley Sunday

As a footnote, in 1967 the Monkees outsold both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones put together. 

Their TV show, shown worldwide, was great fun, the records were of a high, polished production standard that had not been heard previously. 

At the time, the Monkees and Davy Jones truly had the world at their beck and call.

RIP Davy, you will be missed.