Grammy-winning singer Jack Jones, whose 1977 recording of “The Love Boat” theme tune nonetheless reverberates in popular culture, has died on the age of 86.
Jones died Wednesday night time at a hospital in Rancho Mirage, California, after battling leukemia for 2 years, in keeping with The Hollywood Reporter.
Jones had a profitable six-decade profession beginning in 1962 together with his first hit, “Lollipops And Roses,” although his vocal type appeared extra in tune with crooners like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin greater than contemporaries corresponding to Elvis Presley and the Beatles.
His greatest pop hit, “Wives And Lovers,” hit No. 14 in 1963 and received him the Grammy for Finest Male Pop Vocal Efficiency — although the lyrics, which counsel girls ought to simply keep at residence and make their fellas glad, haven’t aged effectively.
That’s one thing Jones has acknowledged when performing the tune within the twenty first century.
“Since it’s a politically incorrect song, I start it out with a disclaimer,” he mentioned, in keeping with The Hollywood Reporter. “I hear that women still call up radio stations, angry that such a sexist song is being played. It’s now part of history, it won a Grammy, and I meant no harm when I did it. It made my career, and I’m grateful for that.”
Michael Kovac through Getty Pictures
Jones grew up in present enterprise because the son of singer Allan Jones, most well-known for his co-starring position within the 1935 Marx Brothers comedy, “A Night At The Opera.” and Irene Hervey, an actor whose movie and tv profession spanned 5 many years.
The truth is, he claimed that his birthdate — Jan. 14, 1938 — simply occurred to be the identical day his dad recorded his best-known tune, “Donkey Serenade,” for RCA Victor.
Jones and his dad carried out collectively when Jones was beginning out, and so they additionally starred in a 1980 “Love Boat” episode the place they performed a feuding father and son.
Assist Free Journalism
Already contributed? Log in to cover these messages.
“The Love Boat” might be Jones’ best-known tune to trendy audiences, though it was by no means a chart hit for him.
Nonetheless, the response to his efficiency gave him regular work on cruise ships in his later years, he advised Las Vegas Journal in 2016.
“I did six weeks a year,” Jones mentioned. “They gave me the best suite on the ship, and it was the S.S. Norway. We just had a great time.”
Jones was married six occasions, together with as soon as to former Bond lady Jill St. John. He married his final spouse, Eleonora, in 2009.
Along with his spouse, Jones is survived by two daughters, two stepdaughters and 4 grandchildren.
