Davy Jones (1945-2012)

     This is third tribute I've written this year, which seems way too many. Or maybe it's because all three were musical legends and influential in my life in how I listened to music. Davy Jones was different however, in the fact that he is best remembered best by just being Davy Jones.
      He was into the creative world early, being on the BBC soap opera, "Coronation Street" in 1961, but left acting for a brief period after the death of his mother to pursue the life of a jockey. This didn't last long however, as he was approached by a friend at London theater about the idea of playing role of the Artful Dodger in the stage adaptation of "Oliver"  Interestingly enough, he was with that cast when they were on the Ed Sullivan show a February night in 1964, when they shared the bill with The Beatles. The experience put a seed into Jones' mind about the direction of his life. Later that year, Jones was signed to a contract with Screen Gems. This led him into his role with The Monkees.
      One day, I'll write more about these guys, but let's just say that the show in retrospect holds up better than most of the "cutting edge" shows from the 60's, and the music does as well.
      Davy's voice, and more importantly his looks and personality made him a hit from the start, and there no doubt who the girls preferred, and as the group went their own ways by the end of the decade, Jones found himself playing ....well....himself (kinda) in a host of shows in the early 70's. As opposed to Michael Nesmith, who attempted to run as far away from the groups legacy, Dolenz and Tork wanted to further their musical career (Dolenz and Jones teamed with two of their songwriters, Boyce & Hart to tour for a few years in the mid-70's), Jones embraced being a Monkee. As a new generation discovered the group thanks to MTV and Nickelodeon in the 80's, the reassessment of the band as TV stars and musicians began and Jones in many ways became (if he wasn't always) the face of the band.
     He had spent the last decade keeping himself busy with being Davy Jones, some TV work, recording, touring...and maybe most importantly, continuing his lifelong love with horses, raising them on his farm. As opposed to many who became burdened with tag, "teen idol", his charm, personality, and talent allowed him to go beyond that....although he is arguably one of the most beloved of his generation..