Jack Jones, Grammy award-winning singer best known for 'Wives and Lovers' and 'Love Boat', dies at 86
RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA: Jack Jones, the Grammy-winning singer best known for 'Wives and Lovers' and the iconic 'Love Boat' theme song, died at the age of 86.
Jones left an indelible mark on the music industry with his smooth voice and memorable performances, earning two Grammy Awards during his career and five nominations.
How did Jack Jones die?
The celebrated vocalist died on Wednesday night, October 23, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California, after battling leukemia for two years, his stepdaughter Nicole Whitty shared with The Hollywood Reporter.
Throughout his career, Jones delivered several popular hits, including 'Lollipops and Roses,' 'Wives and Lovers,' and 'The Impossible Dream.'
He earned his first Grammy in 1962 for Best Male Solo Vocal Performance with 'Lollipops and Roses' and received another Grammy in 1964 for 'Wives and Lovers.'
In addition to his successful singing career, Jones also appeared in films, including the 1982 comedy 'Airplane II: The Sequel' and 2013’s 'American Hustle'.
On TV through 60s and 70s, Jack performed in 'The Dinah Shore Chevy Show', 'The Ed Sullivan Show', 'The Andy Williams Show', 'The Dick Cavett Show', 'The Hollywood Palace', 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour', among many others, according to Mirror.
Despite his success in acting, it was his music that continued to define him.
“I did six weeks a year. They gave me the best suite on the ship, and it was the S.S. Norway. We just had a great time,” Jones shared during a 2016 interview with Las Vegas Magazine, reflecting on his time performing on cruise ships following the success of 'The Love Boat' theme song.
Jack Jones’ family legacy and personal life
Jack Jones came from a talented family. His mother, Irene Hervey, was an Emmy-nominated actress who had a long career in both film and television.
His father, tenor Allan Jones, was well-known for his roles in 'Show Boat' (1936) and the Marx Brothers’ 'A Night at the Opera' (1935) and 'A Day at the Races' (1937).
Allan Jones also had his own musical success with the hit song 'The Donkey Serenade.'
Jones was married six times during his life, including a brief marriage to actress Jill St John in the late 1960s. He was also romantically linked to actress Susan George.
He was married to Kathy Simmons from 1976 to 1982. He then married Kim Ely from 1982 to 2005 and they even welcomed their daughter, Nicole Jones.
He later remarried Lee Fuller with whom he welcomed his second daughter, Crystal Thomas. In his final years, Jack was married to Elenora, with whom he resided in Indian Wells, California.
Inside Jack Jones’ successful music career
Jack Jones began his career with Capitol Records in 1959 but found greater success after moving to Kapp Records where he struck gold with 'Lollipops and Roses.'
The song reached No 12 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, marking the beginning of his rise as a major figure in music.
Jones’ rendition of 'The Love Boat' theme song in 1979 became iconic, bringing even more recognition. “Because of 'The Love Boat' theme, everything was great on ships after that,” Jones told Las Vegas Magazine during the same 2016 interview.
A longtime resident of the Coachella Valley, Jones was honored with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 2003, cementing his place as a beloved figure in the entertainment world.
Besides two Grammy wins, he has earned a total of five nominations - (1963) 'Gift of Love', (1965) 'The Race Is On', 1966 'The Impossible Dream', (1967) 'Without Her' and (1968) 'If You Ever Leave Me'.
