Davy Jones, the lead singer of 60’s band The Monkees, has died aged 66, his publicist has confirmed.
The Monkees, 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.
According to his publicist Deborah Robicheau, Davy Jones died in his sleep at his Florida home.
An official from the medical examiner’s office for Martin County, Florida, said they received a phone call from the Martin Memorial Hospital informing them that Davy Jones had died.
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.
“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.”
Early on in his showbusiness career Davy Jones appeared as Ena Sharples’s grandson in ITV soap Coronation Street.
The Monkees found fame through a successful television series, popular in both the US and the UK.
They were famous for their clean-cut image and were marketed as the American answer to The Beatles, notching up nine top 40 hits.
Davy Jones leaves behind four daughters, Talia Elizabeth, 43, and Sarah Lee, 40 from his marriage to Linda Haines, and Jessica Lillian, 30, and 23-year-old Annabel Charlotte from his marriage to Anita Pollinger.
Davy Jones – who was born in Manchester, North West England – married 33-year-old TV presenter Jessica Pacheo, who he met in 2006, in August 2009.
In May 2011, Davy Jones said he was having some of the happiest times he’s ever had in his life with Jessica.
The pop icon explained: “We have love. We have friendship. She’s also aware of what I’ve done in music, and the fact that I no longer really need to prove anything.”
Davy Jones joined The Monkees in 1965 along with Micky, Peter and Michael Nesmith – who did not rejoin the group for their shows last year – and they went on to record a number of hit records including Daydream Believer, Last Train to Clarksville and I’m a Believer.
Last year, the pop/rock group – who were created to appear in their own TV show in the 60’s – reformed for a 45th anniversary tour, but they ended up scrapping some dates amid reports of fall outs between the group.
At the time, Micky wrote on his Facebook page: “Dear Fans and Friends, The Monkee Tour has, indeed, been cancelled but for reasons that I cannot discuss at this time. I can say that the reasons pertain to business and are internal matters.
“Needless to say, I am disappointed but the situation was unavoidable and I want to apologise to all the fans out there who will not be able to experience what was a wonderful show indeed. Regretfully, Micky (sic).”
