Jack Jones was a singer and actor best known for such songs as “Wives and Lovers” and the theme song to the TV show “The Love Boat.”
- Died: October 23, 2024 (Who else died on October 23?)
- Details of death: Died at a hospital in Rancho Mirage, California of leukemia at the age of 86.
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Jack Jones’ legacy
Jones was a classic crooner who got his start toward the end of the era of America’s smooth-voiced ballad singers. Rock and roll was taking over the charts, and balladeers were beginning to seem like musical relics, but Jones bucked the trend over the course of his decades-long career. His first hit came in 1962 with “Lollipops and Roses,” which was particularly popular on adult contemporary radio. The following year, he had his biggest pop success with the Burt Bacharach (1928–2023) and Hal David (1921–2012) tune, “Wives and Lovers.” Jones won Grammy Awards for both tracks.
He continued to release hits throughout the ‘60s, making it to the top of the easy listening charts with “The Race Is On,” “The Impossible Dream (The Quest),” and “Lady.” Though his style of music went even further out of fashion in the 1970s, Jones didn’t slow his career. Throughout the ‘70s, he continued recording and performing, and later in the decade, he sang the song that is perhaps his best known across several generations. In 1977, “The Love Boat” was launching as TV’s hottest new comedy-drama, and Jones performed its iconic theme song. He later released it as a radio single.
Though Jones’ musical career slowed in the ‘80s and beyond, he continued to record occasional albums, as well as touring and making notable appearances. He also continued a sporadic acting career that had begun as far back as the ‘50s. Jones’ first acting gig was in the pilot of the TV series “Hey Jeannie!” in 1956. Jones made several other TV appearances over the years, including on “Police Woman,” “It’s a Living,” “Get a Life,” and “Night Court” – and of course, he made a memorable guest appearance on a 1980 episode of “The Love Boat.” He also had roles in such movies as “Airplane II: The Sequel” and “American Hustle.”
Jones on his first hit single
“We were swimming against the tide. Rock ‘n roll was well in place, and making a ballad album like we did was just for my mother, we thought. We were shocked to find this song so popular.” — from a 2015 interview for KNPR
Tributes to Jack Jones
Full obituary: The New York Times
