Mr. Jones, a former jockey and stage actor, was a key member of the first and arguably the best of the prefabricated pop groups created for television to capitalize on the success of the Beatles. Though they were not taken seriously at first, the Monkees made some exceptionally good pop records, thanks in large part to the songwriting of professional songwriters like Neil Diamond and Tommy Boyce.

Jones began a career as a jockey, but later quit to pursue acting, appearing in television shows like “Coronation Street” and “June Evening.” He landed a contract with Colpix Records after he appeared in the musical “Oliver!” and performed on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” He was 20 when his first album came out, called simply “David Jones.”

After the Monkees disbanded, Mr. Jones pursued a solo career and played himself in a widely popular Brady Bunch episode, which was shown in late 1971.

Jones performed in the original Broadway cast of Oliver! He was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the musical.

By the mid-1980s, Mr. Jones teamed up with Mr. Tork, Micky Dolenz and promoter David Fishof for a reunion tour. Their popularity prompted MTV to re-air The Monkees series, introducing the group to a new audience. In 1987, three of the Monkees recorded a new album, “Pool It.” Two years later, the group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Source: The New York Times