Davy Jones Dead: Monkees Singer Dies From a Heart Attack at 66

Davy Jones of the Monkees has died at 66, TMZ reports. A representative for the singer revealed that he suffered a heart attack at his Florida home and was pronounced dead at the hospital this morning.

The Medical Examiner's office of Martin County, Fla., confirmed the initial news of Jones' passing. His Monkees bandmate Peter Tork released the following statement, via Facebook: "It is with great sadness that I reflect on the sudden passing of my longtime friend and fellow adventurer, David Jones. His talent will be much missed; his gifts will be with us always. My deepest sympathy to Jessica and the rest of his family. Adios, to the Manchester Cowboy. Peace and love, Peter T."

Born in Manchester, England, Jones began a professional acting career at just 11 years old. In 1964, when he was just 18, he appeared on the 'The Ed Sullivan Show' to perform as part of the musical 'Oliver!' on the same episode as the Beatles' legendary concert.

In 1965, Jones was cast alongside Tork, Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith to star in 'The Monkees' as a pretend band modeled after the Beatles with Jones serving as lead singer. Their first single, 'Last Train to Clarksville,' hit the top of the charts in 1966. Later that year, the Monkees released 'I'm a Believer,' a track penned by Neil Diamond that went on to be the top-selling single of 1967.

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Despite their success, the band was criticized for being a cheap imitation of the Beatles. However, the Fab Four routinely praised the Monkees and their talents. Another source of contention for the band was the fact that Don Kirshner, a songwriter, producer and head of music for Screen Gems studio, wouldn't allow the members to write and record their own songs.

The Monkees were eventually able to get out of their contract with Kirshner and work on their own material, with their third album, 1967's 'Headquarters,' being the first to feature almost solely their talents. That same year, however, the public learned that the Monkees didn't always perform on their recordings and a backlash ensued. The group was able to maintain a good deal of its success in spite of that, with the Jones-fronted 'Daydream Believer' topping the charts.

Following escalating personal conflicts, the cancellation of the television show and the Monkees' inability to reshape their image, Tork and Nesmith quit the group in 1969 and '70, respectively. After the group splintered, Jones continued recording and acting, making appearances in movies and sitcoms.

In the '80s and '90s, the Monkees' popularity returned, leading to several reunion tours and the 1996 album, 'Justus,' which featured all four members. Nesmith performed some shows with his bandmates but eventually quit again, leading to a lasting acrimony between him and the other three members. The band continued to bicker up until the present, with Tork being fired at one point and the members criticizing each other in the press. Even the band's 45th anniversary tour in 2011, featuring all the members but Nesmith, was canceled early due to unspecified internal issues.

Jones last performed on Feb. 19, 2012 in Oklahoma and appeared to be in good health. He is survived by his third wife, Jessica, and four daughters.

Read Spinner's 2011 Interview With Davy Jones