RIP Davy Jones

I am a Monkees fan. I saw the show and loved the characters. When I first started watching them, I didn’t understand or care that they were a “made-up” band. I just loved watching their adventures and I loved their music. My parents even got me one of their albums that I played into the ground.

I still listen to the Monkees. It is sort of a touchstone for me.

It was with great sadness that I heard that Davy Jones had passed away.

A couple of years ago Mr. Jones was at a United Fan Con. By meeting him I completed my meeting of all the Monkees which felt pretty good. I caught him at a time that he didn’t have a line of fans around the block (which was most of the time) and we had a very nice chat. I remember we talked about the differences between performing live theater and musical performance. He was charming and gracious. I stood and listened while he talked horses with someone else who owned a horse farm in upper New York state. I watched him with the fans as he signed autographs and talked to people.

There is one woman who was just overwhelmed to meet one of her Idols. She started crying and apologized for crying but explained how much this meant to her. Davy came around the table and gave her a gentle hug and told her that he understood. And that image is how I remember Davy Jones.

My sympathies to his family and friends. He was a wonderful human being.

I am grateful that I got to meet Davy Jones.