When some people die it leaves a mark even when they aren't family or even someone you've met.  Davy Jones, one of the Monkees was found dead at his Florida home Wednesday from an apparent heart attack.

Jones was best known for his turn as Davy in the pre fab four manufactured by NBC in 1966.  He was a jockey in England for a time but acting seemed to be a better career.  He first drew notice as the Artful Dodger in the Broadway musical "Oliver!" based on the Dickens novel "Oliver Twist".

The Monkees got a lot of grief over their status as an assembled group, the practice now is commonplace.  They were handed some real plums musically recording songs by Boyce and Hart along with Neil Diamond.

The youth culture of the sixties was growing exponentially by '66 and there was a lot of fear, and distrust of the wild clothes and the loud music and believe it or not the Monkees helped relieve a lot of parental fears by showing them as mostly normal nice kids.  That was how it worked around my house anyway.  

I am saddened by his passing I think because he, and the Monkees were sort of role models for me.  The music was catchy and bright pop music and I always preferred the up beat to the down.  So long Davy, we will miss you.