Davy Jones (musician) - Early Life

Early Life

Davy Jones was born at 20 Leamington Street, Openshaw, Manchester, England, on 30 December 1945. At age 11, he began his acting career, appearing on the British television soap opera Coronation Street, which was produced at Granada Studios by Granada Television in Manchester. In 1961, Jones played Ena Sharples' grandson, Colin Lomax, the second year Coronation Street was broadcast. He also appeared in the BBC police series Z-Cars. After the death of his mother from emphysema when he was 14 years old, Jones rejected acting in favour of a career as a jockey, apprenticing with Newmarket trainer Basil Foster. He dropped out of secondary school to begin his career in that field. This career was short-lived however, as though Foster believed Jones would be successful as a jockey, he encouraged his young protégé to take a role as the Artful Dodger a production of Oliver! in London's West End, a move which consequently changed the course of Jones' life forever. In turn, Jones cared for Foster in his later years, bringing him to the United States and providing financial support for his mentor.