Davy Jones: The daydream believer

The years have been kind to the Teenage Heartthrob in the ’60s’ award-winning TV series The Monkees.

“I’ve had a successful career and I continue to do what I love the most, which is performing,” Davy Jones told Conversations in an exclusive phone interview from Nevada where he was set to do a one-night show. “I also have a wonderful family. What more can I ask for?”

A spin-off of the TV show, The Monkees quartet (with Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith as the three other members) is best remembered for hit songs such as I Wanna Be Free, Daydream Believer, Last Train To Clarkesville, I’m A Believer, Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow, Mary Mary, I’m Not Your Stepping Stone, She, Forget That Girl, It’s Nice To Be With You, I’ll Be True To You and many others which he will sing during his Davy Jones Of The Monkees Live! concert at the Araneta Coliseum on June 20, produced by Renen de Guia’s Ovation Productions as a Father’s Day offering.

“It will be a truly special show,” promises Renen. “Local fans can expect an enjoyable and memorable evening.”

In this Down-Memory-Lane Conversation, Jones talks about his Monkees days — and beyond — and how he sees his life and career as similar to that of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s, his idol.

What are your best memories about The Monkees?

“My memories about The Monkees are very vivid because, you know, they still air the group’s show here in America and they play our music on the radio. So it is a constant reminder for me. I understand that two or three of our songs were a hit in the Philippines although not in America. The song that I wrote, Hard To Believe, is in our repertoire for our concert in the Philippines. I will sing all the Monkees hits.”

Obviously, you haven’t stopped performing.

“I’ve been involved, you know, in theater and television. I just did an episode for Bunch Bob, a very popular TV show for kids in America. I was very happy to do that. It’s a very changeable career, you know. I have many different avenues to travel. I just recorded new tropic songs. I’m working with a guy named Ron Dante who was the voice of The Archies and who has worked with Barry Manilow and Neil Diamond.”

Whatever happened to the other Monkees?

“Peter and Micky still perform and travel. Mike is more of a businessman who spends most of his time producing and directing, working with many different artists like Lionel Ritchie and Linda Ronstadt.”

Aren’t you planning to have a reunion concert?

“We have done a number of reunion concerts. But, you know, it’s a case of organizing our schedules. My own schedule has been drawn up to 2010 and I have dates with different symphony orchestras. I’m happy with what I am doing at the moment. I’m looking forward to performing in the Philippines.”

You and The Monkees did perform in the Philippines years ago, remember?

“Oh, yes. We performed only on TV; we didn’t do any concert.”  

Among the Monkees songs, which is the most memorable to you?

“Well, you know, I’m A Believer, Daydream Believer and, obviously, Hard To Believe.”

What was your inspiration for that song?

“It was just a case of sitting down... we travel and go to different places and meet different people, having different conversations. The times of our lives, you know. It could be about a break-up with a young lady or a fantasy make-up song.”

Your concert in the Philippines will coincide with Father’s Day. It was your father who inspired you to go into showbiz. What do you remember most about your dad?

“My father was always very supportive, as I am now to my daughters. I have a daughter who will turn 21 on June 26. She is a singer-songwriter, a very beautiful girl. And one day, hopefully she will make the charts and be recognized.”

How would you rate yourself as a father?

“Well, it’s very difficult. As I told you, I have four daughters and it’s difficult to advise them how to conduct themselves. But I understand that they have made lots of friends and they are well-respected. So it’s really a matter of them following an example. I think I’ve been living a pretty consistent life and I hope they will have the same experience.”

Did you ever sing them to sleep when they were babies?

“In a sense, yes. But we told stories more than sing songs. It’s a very difficult time because we have families where two members are working to keep up the maintenance of the family. Children tend to entertain themselves a lot. But yes, when my daughters were babies, I read bedtime stories to them. Sometimes, I would play my guitar to them so they would know how my music sounded like.”

At age 11, you won national recognition as Ena Sharples’ grandson in the soap Coronation Street which is still running.

“It has been going on for more than 50 years. There have been many performances that I’ve been involved with and I’m very happy to say that I still continue to work in television and in theater as well.”

If you go back to Coronation Street, what role would you like to play?

“In the script, I moved to Canada. Maybe I could go back to the show as Davy Jones who had a successful singing career. Wouldn’t it be nice? I have had a wonderful career. I enjoy what I’m doing now, including training race-horses.”

When you were younger, you played the Artful Dodger in the West End production of Oliver! Years later, you played Fagin, the old man. Wow, you grew up with Oliver!

 “Yes, I did. I enjoyed playing both parts. I met so many people while doing that show, like Judy Garland, Anthony Newley and Dudley Moore. I was 16 and it was an enriching experience for me. Hopefully, one day I’ll be able to direct and produce Oliver!”

What song in Oliver! did you like most?

“Oh, I like Consider Yourself which I often sing in my shows. And also, Where Is Love.”

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 successul 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 against 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 wanted to meet 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.”

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.” 

(Note: The Philippine STAR is among the sponsors of Davy Jones Of The Monkees Live! at the Araneta Coliseum on June 20, produced by Ovation Productions. Tickets are priced at P3,500, P3,000, P2,500, P1,500, P800 and P500, and available at Ticketnet outlets at SM stores. Call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Ovation Productions at 532-8883.)

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