Mickey Jones facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mickey Jones
Jones at a charity event in San Diego, California in 2006
Born	(1941-06-10)June 10, 1941 Houston, Texas, U.S.
Died	February 7, 2018(2018-02-07) (aged 76) Simi Valley, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, musician
Years active	1959–2015
Spouse(s)	Sandra Joel Davis (m. 1960–1976; divorced) Phyllis Jean Starr ​ ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	2

Mickey Jones (born June 10, 1941 – died February 7, 2018) was an American musician and actor. He was a talented drummer who played with famous artists like Trini Lopez and Bob Dylan. He even joined Bob Dylan on his 1966 world tour.

Later, Mickey Jones became a founding member of the band The First Edition with singer Kenny Rogers. He played drums on all their albums. During his music career, which lasted over 20 years, Jones played on 17 songs that sold millions of copies, earning them "gold records."

After The First Edition broke up in 1976, Mickey Jones started a new career as an actor. He appeared in many movies and TV shows.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Mickey Jones was born on June 10, 1941, in Houston, Texas. His dad, Fred Edward Jones, was an officer in the U.S. Navy, and his mom, Frances Marie Jones, was a homemaker.

Mickey went to Sunset High School in Dallas. This is where he got his first drum set and learned to play. He played with local bands and even formed his own band called The Catalinas with four school friends. However, Mickey was only 16 at the time, and the band wanted an older drummer, so he was replaced.

Drumming for Famous Artists

After playing drums for different groups, Mickey Jones met Trini Lopez. When Lopez's drummer got sick, Mickey filled in and soon became the band's permanent drummer.

In 1959, Jones left Lopez's band to study business at North Texas State College (now University of North Texas). After college, he worked at a factory in San Diego. Realizing factory work wasn't for him, Mickey moved to Los Angeles to get back into entertainment. He got a job at the NBC studios and reconnected with Trini Lopez, who had also moved to Los Angeles. Mickey became Lopez's drummer again, and they had big hits like "If I Had A Hammer" and "La Bamba."

In 1966, Bob Dylan asked Mickey Jones to be his drummer. Mickey joined Dylan and the other musicians (who would later become The Band) on a world tour in Australia and Europe. During a show in Manchester, England, on May 17, 1966, some audience members booed Dylan for playing an electric guitar. This was a famous moment in music history. Mickey's time with Dylan ended when Dylan had to stop performing temporarily after a motorcycle accident.

Around this time, Mickey decided to try acting. He worked as an extra in movies. Then, in 1967, he was asked to be the drummer for a new group called The First Edition, with lead singer Kenny Rogers.

The First Edition became very successful over the next ten years. They had hit songs like "Something's Burning," "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town," and "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)." They even had their own TV show called Rollin' on the River in the early 1970s.

Acting Career

After The First Edition broke up in 1976, Mickey Jones became a full-time actor. He was known as a "character actor," meaning he often played interesting and unique supporting roles. He appeared in many TV shows and movies.

Some of his notable roles include:

• Being part of the cast of Flo, a spin-off from the TV show Alice.
• Playing a mechanic and sheriff in the movie National Lampoon's Vacation.
• His role as Chris Farber in the TV miniseries and weekly show V.
• A cameo in the movie Total Recall (1990) with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
• A memorable role in the TV show Northern Exposure in 1992, where he played a deceased mentor named Tooley O'Toole.
• A recurring role as Pete Bilker on the TV show Home Improvement.
• Appearing in the movies Sling Blade and Tin Cup in 1996.

In 2005, he also contributed to the documentary No Direction Home: Bob Dylan.

Author

In 2007, Mickey Jones wrote his autobiography, a book about his own life, called That Would Be Me. The title came from a popular phrase his character often used on the TV show Home Improvement.

Death

Mickey Jones passed away on February 7, 2018, at the age of 76, due to complications from diabetes. He was survived by his wife, Phyllis Jean Starr, and their two children, along with three stepchildren.

Film and Television Roles

Films

Television

Music videos

• "Sunset Blvd" (2005)