RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) 鈥� Jack Jones, a Grammy-winning crooner known for 鈥淭he Love Boat鈥� television show theme song, has died. He was 86.
Jones died Wednesday night at a hospital in Rancho Mirage, California, after battling leukemia for more than two years, according to a statement from his manager, Milt Suchin.
Jones began his singing career in the 1950s and in the 1960s won two Grammy Awards for best vocal performance, one on the song 鈥淟ollipops And Roses" and one on the song 鈥淲ives and Lovers.鈥�
He was nominated for several other Grammys in later years, including for the album "Jack Jones Paints A Tribute To Tony Bennett" in 1999.
In 1980, his 鈥淟ove Boat鈥� television show theme song rose to No. 37 on the Billboard U.S. Adult Contemporary songs chart. Jones was also a frequent guest on the popular romantic comedy show in which guest stars, ranging from Gene Kelly to Janet Jackson, would come aboard for a cruise and fall in love with one another.
A social media account for 鈥淭he Ed Sullivan Show,鈥� an American television variety show that aired for decades, posted on X on Thursday that Jones lit up the show with smooth vocals and unforgettable performances.
鈥淗is music will forever inspire us,鈥� the post said. 鈥淭hank you for the memories, Jack. Rest in peace.鈥�
The Associated Press
