Classic Rant #687 (March 2, 2012): The Final Word on Davy

This will probably be my final post on Davy Jones for at least a while, but to complete the story, I felt I had to provide you with some information.

An autopsy confirmed that Davy Jones died of a heart attack.

And what makes this information even more stunning is that he recently went for a physical, and was told that he was in sound health.

The medical examiner's office in Martin County, Fla., says authorities completed their examination Thursday morning, a day after Davy was rushed to the hospital. Toxicology tests could take another six or eight weeks, but there is no sign anything else is to blame for the 66-year-old enterainer's death.

A spokesman for the Jones family says funeral arrangements have not yet been made, but one of Jones' daughters has told media outlets that memorials are being planned, presumably held in the U.S. and in his native England.

I still feel so bad about his death, but all that I am reading on the Internet is glowing praise for the entertainer.

So many people really loved this guy.

Unfortunately, all the accolades come out after he is gone.

I presume that Jones knew that people really loved him, but I guess he figured that it was nothing more than fan adulation.

But in recent days, an outpouring of emotion has emerged about him that I don't remember happening since Michael Jackson died.

But Jackson was a certifiable weirdo, more in the news for his indiscretions that anything else.

Jones was rarely in the news. Yes, he had his demons--alcohol being one--but he seemed to have kicked his troubles, and what's more, his troubles never seemed to stop him like it did others.

Jones--and his other Monkees cohorts--seemed to be more grounded than other people who reach the fame that few have attained. I think that is because their fame was so fleeting, that they had to be able to view it differently, than say someone who has everlasting fame, constant fame, fame that won't go away.

Along with accolades from people like myself, so many celebrities chimed in on their adulation for this guy that I have to say that I was really amazed--and pleased.

"Davy Jones of the Monkees is dead," wrote Al Roker of the "Today" show. "He was 66 years old. A little bit of my youth just died."

Said Neil Diamond, who wrote "I'm a Believer": "I'm sad to hear about Davy Jones. The Monkees were such a sensation that it was a thrill for me to have them record some of my early songs."

"Eternal rest for Davy Jones who leaves a great legacy of music, fun and all the colors of the rainbow," wrote Nancy Sinatra.

"Sad news--RIP Davy Jones. My wife's childhood crush...," said Ralph Macchio, who knew a little about being a teen idol from his "Karate Kid" days, and probably knew how fleeting such fame could be.

Alyssa Milano and Will Smith tweeted rest in peace, with Smith adding, "Retweet for respect."

"Sad to hear of the passing of Davy Jones! Met him just last year, was very kind to me. Monkees should have been in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame years ago," said Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins. Julian Lennon said, "RIP Davy… You did some great work! Condolences to The Jones Family."

Wil Wheaton expressed some shock -- "Oh my god Davy Jones died at 66. That's way too young."

Comic Gilbert Gottfried noted, "True...David Bowie's real name is David Jones. That's why he had to change it to Bowie. R.I.P. Davy Jones."

But back to Davy.

Davy WAS the Monkees, whether he wanted to be or not, and I think he knew it.

Sure, Micky Dolenz was the jokester, the lead singer ... Peter was the quiet, kind of goofy musician ... and Mike was the studious, quiet musician.

They all played their roles to the hilt whenever the Monkees name was used in their presence.

But Davy was the guy, the heartthrob, the focus of the band, and I think he knew it, and probably the other guys knew it too.

The Monkees are more revered today than they ever were during their heyday. The connection between television and music is closer today than it ever was, and while the Monkees didn't start that ball rolling, they certainly cemented it as the way it was going to be from that time on.

I am personally going to miss Davy, miss the possibility of a real Monkees reunion--with Mike--and miss Davy coming around again with and without his bandmates.

I think the thing with the Monkees is that up until Feb. 29, there was always a possibility that the four of them would iron out their differences and get back together on stage again.

Since John Lennon died, there was absolutely no possibility that the Beatles could ever get back together.

But at least we had the Monkees to dream about.

Now, we have neither, and that's the real shame of this whole thing.