Davy Jones, the diminutive heartthrob who rocketed to the top of the 1960s music charts by beckoning millions of adoring fans with the catchy refrains of The Monkees, died Wednesday, Feb 29. He was 66, AP reported.
His publicist, Helen Kensick, confirmed that Jones died of a heart attack near his home in Indiantown. Jones complained of breathing troubles early in the morning and was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, said Rhonda Irons, spokeswoman for the Martin County Sheriff's Office.
In a 911 call released Wednesday night, an unidentified woman anxiously pleads, "Ambulance, please, hurry!" His home was about 27 miles from the hospital and a fire rescue unit rushed him to the hospital.
Born in Manchester, England, on Dec. 30, 1945, Jones became a child star in his native country who appeared on television and stage, including a heralded role as "The Artful Dodger" in the play "Oliver."
He earned a Tony nomination at 16 when he reprised that role in the show's Broadway production, a success that brought him to the attention of Columbia Pictures/Screen Gems Television, which created The Monkees.
