This morning, Monkees singer, Davy Jones, passed away after suffering a heart attack. He was 66 years old.

You didn’t have to be born in the ’60s for The Monkees to be an important part of your childhood. Nor do you have to be a kid to understand the quality of their music. The Monkees sang sweet, Beatlesque pop, that despite what many of their detractors have said, was not derivative, but complimentary to their mop-topped forefathers. The show was entertaining enough, but the songs were legitimately strong and have proven to last a lifetime.

Of all four members, Davy Jones was always the easiest to love. His lilting British voice provided an air of sophistication to the group’s songs, contrasting Micky Dolenz’s boyish yelps, and Mike Nesmith’s country drawl. His musical contributions in terms of songwriting and instrumentation were the most minimal in the group, usually sticking to his signature tambourine, but as a vocalist, he more than made up for this, singing the group’s most soaring anthems, like “A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You,”"Valleri,” and the immortal “Daydream Believer.”

In the years since the cancellation of “The Monkees” and the band’s initial 1971 breakup, Jones had gone on to make numerous guest appearances in movies and TV shows, often appearing as himself. He was always a delightful character to see on the screen, with a winning smile and a unique voice. He will be sorely missed.

The Monkees – “Daydream Believer”