Davy Jones

I've been sort of busy lately and haven't had any great stories to share. The only stories I have to share are from work and I don't blog about work, although I think our IT department would make for a great reality show.

Anyways, the end of February brought the death of Davy Jones. I liked The Monkees back in high school when they had their revival in the late 80s.

My friend Leo wrote a story after Davy's death about his meeting Davy back in 1967. I asked him if I could share it and he said that was fine with him.

***

By Leo Munter

It had to be about 1967, and the Monkees were huge. I, was not.

But it was a beautiful day in LA and I was hitchhiking* along Sunset Blvd on my way to my uncle's house in Beverly Hills.

(* Hitchhiking: The most common mode of transportation for young people in the late 60’s. You would stand by the side of the road with your thumb out and very quickly be picked up by someone going towards where you wanted to go. It was usually very quick. Doing it you could make friends, get stoned, get laid, and often end up going to someplace totally different than where you had intended. It was wonderful and I miss it’s passing.)

So I hadn’t been there long when a brand new, red, GTO convertible pulled up. Impressed (you usually got some funky van or VW) I ran over and got it. Who should be driving, but Davy Jones!!!

He was as cool and nice and friendly as was possible. We chatted about innocuous stuff and enjoyed dawdling along Sunset on a beautiful day in an iconic car. It was so cool.

All too soon we got to Palm Drive and I said he could let me out at the corner. He said, “Nah. Where are you headed?” I pointed down Palm and he said, “I’ll take you.” I pointed out the house and he pulled into the driveway. I gushed my profuse thanks, opened the door, and had half gotten out when I turned back around and stopped.

“You know what’s gonna happen here, right? I’m gonna go inside and tell them I was just picked up by Davy Jones [acknowledging who he was for the first time because I was so cool]. They are gonna not believe me and it’ll die there, a story of frustration.

I wonder, would it be possible, if you might, just come inside with me for a moment?”

“Sure!”, said Davy Jones.

So we walked around to the kitchen/side entrance with him about 5 feet behind me. I think my aunt and a couple cousins were hanging around. I went in first saying, “You won’t believe what just happened! I was just picked up by Davy Jones along Sunset and he brought me right to the house!!!

They of course didn’t believe me and started to protest, when Davy walked in on cue, settled the matter, and blew their minds!

A totally great moment!!

RIP Davy. A very cool guy.