Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Mickey Dolenz recalled their former bandmate.
When Davy Jones died of a heart attack on Wednesday, he left behind a widow, four daughters, several grandchildren - and three former bandmates.
The Monkees' Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Mickey Dolenz have shared with the media their reactions to the sudden death of the 66-year-old British singer.
Mike Nesmith on Facebook:
All the lovely people. Where do they all come from?
So many lovely and heartfelt messages of condolence and sympathy, I don’t know what to say, except my sincere thank you to all. I share and appreciate your feelings.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.
While it is jarring, and sometimes seems unjust, or strange, this transition we call dying and death is a constant in the mortal experience that we know almost nothing about. I am of the mind that it is a transition and I carry with me a certainty of the continuity of existence. While I don’t exactly know what happens in these times, there is an ongoing sense of life that reaches in my mind out far beyond the near horizons of mortality and into the reaches of infinity.
That David has stepped beyond my view causes me the sadness that it does many of you. I will miss him, but I won’t abandon him to mortality. I will think of him as existing within the animating life that insures existence. I will think of him and his family with that gentle regard in spite of all the contrary appearances on the mortal plane.
David’s spirit and soul live well in my heart, among all the lovely people, who remember with me the good times, and the healing times, that were created for so many, including us.
I have fond memories. I wish him safe travels.
Peter Tork told USA Today:
"I know Davy was very happy to be a part of all of this. He wanted nothing more than to be an entertainer. And to help people enjoy time."
He added, "Davy Jones was one of the most gifted, talented, musical, soulful, able people I have ever met. That was all there is to it."
Mickey Dolenz on NBC's Today Show:
"It came as a pretty big shocker – right out of the blue. You know, he was the last one that I thought would (go first)… the youngest one of (The Monkees). … I suspect a little bit might have been genetics. I think both of his parents passed pretty early on.
"He was always the go-to guy for fun and a laugh. He was a jokester and always was. We hung out a lot together. I remember very clearly. We had similar backgrounds…. Even in the earlier auditions I remember we kind of connected because I'd been in show business as a kid. He'd been on stage doing 'Oliver!' So we had that kind of connection in common, so immediately we just kind of hit it off and stayed very good friends."
Dolenz concluded, "Ultimately, we all became pretty good friends, and he and I probably the best of friends."