Davy Jones died without meeting his idol Pacman

It has been almost two months since Davy Jones died of a heart attack on Feb. 29 in Indiantown, Florida. He was 66.

“It was very unexpected,” Davy’s daughter Talia, 43, was quoted in a People magazine tribute, noting that her father was a strict vegetarian and an avid exerciser and “was the picture of health.”

The current generation of music/sitcom-lovers may be clueless how popular Davy was in the ‘60s when the sitcom The Monkees ruled the ratings from 1966 to 1968, generating four No. 1 albums in one year. At 17, he got a Tony nomination for Artful Dodger’s 1963 Broadway production of Oliver! Then Davy played himself in the classic 1971 episode of The Brady Bunch.

“He was the original Justin Bieber,” according to the People mag story, and you better believe it.

Like Paul McCartney during the Beatles’ early years, Davy was Mr. Cute among the Monkees quartet that also included drummer Micky Dolenz, and guitarists Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith.

Now, did you know that I did an exclusive phone interview with Davy Jones in June 2009, arranged by Renen de Guia of Ovation Productions which was producing Davy’s Father’s Day concert at the Araneta Coliseum? The concert was cancelled at the last minute.

It was only a few days ago while doing a scrapbook of my articles did I find out that Davy was a big fan of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. He said so in our Conversation from which I am reprinting the relevant portions.

Is there any secret to staying durable?

“I think the secret is much the same as that of any artist or sportsman. You know, one of my favorite sports is boxing and my favorite boxer is Manny Pacquiao. I think that he is a great example of a successful career which hasn’t really changed him. He has remained very humble…very kind to his family, his friends and his fans.

“I think that’s the kind of image that I have in America. One of my joys would be to meet Pacquiao and shake his hand and to acknowledge his success and his humility. He’s a very humble man and his life is much the same as my life. You know, I perform onstage to lots and lots of people and then I go back to being an ordinary man with ordinary life.”

Have you watched Pacquiao fight?

“Oh, many times. I watched him fight Oscar dela Hoya and Ricky Hatton only on TV but not in person. I would love to see Pacquiao fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. I’m sure Pacquiao will show the world that he’s the best. And after that, Pacquiao has nothing more to prove. I would love to see the man Pacquiao go back to his simple life and enjoy his life. You know, just relax.”

If you meet Pacquiao and he requests for a Monkees song, what would it be?

“It would have to be I’m A Believer because I’ve always believed in him; I’ve always enjoyed his fights. You know, when I was younger I was an amateur boxer; I fought in my hometown. I didn’t become a real boxer. Pacquiao is my idol.”

Isn’t it sad that Davy didn’t get to meet his idol? Had his 2009 concert been pushed through, he would have had the chance to. Wherever he may be, Davy must be happy that Pacquiao is now a Bible-quoting believer.

“I am a believer, too,” Davy said then.

To cap our Conversation, I asked Davy…You titled your autobiography Daydream Believer. What Monkees song do you want to be remembered for?

“I would like people to remember me for whatever they feel when they listen to Monkees songs. Our songs leave different impressions on different people. Yes, I’d be happy to be remembered for Daydream Believer. Up to now, I am still a daydream believer.”

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