‘The Love Boat’ lead singer Jack Jones dies at 86 – fans pay tribute

Jack Joneswho lit up living rooms across America for decades as an actor and hit maker, undoubtedly best known for singing the theme song for ABC Boat of Love (1977-1986), died on Wednesday, October 23.

Jones lost his two-year battle with leukemia at a hospital near his home in Coachella Valley, California. His death was shared by his family KESQ News Channel 3. He was 86 years old.

Born in 1938 to show business parents in Hollywood, California – his mother was an actress, his father was a singer – Jones achieved his own fame as a bossa-nova singer. His classic songs include 1962’s “Lollipops and Roses” and 1964’s “Wives and Lovers,” composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, both of which won Grammy Awards. He also sang “The Race Is On”, “The Impossible Dream” and many others.

However, it was the theme song for the opening titles Boat of Love thanks to this, the name Jones became widely known. The song, aptly titled “Love Boat”, became so popular that he released it as a single in 1979. It landed him as a lounge singer in 1982. Plane II: Sequel and now he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Jones appeared Boat of Love the main theme of seven of the eight seasons of the cruise ship series. Dionne Warwick rearranged the song and sang it in the final season.

Jones was also no stranger to television shows. He continued to perform The Ed Sullivan Show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The Dick Cavett Show, The Steve Allen Show, The Andy Williams show, AND The Carol Burnett Show. Jones has also guest-starred on game shows such as Password and in series Policewoman, McMillan and wife, and naturallyBoat of Love.

As the news spread, fans took to social media, mourning the huge loss and recalling fond memories of his music.

RIP to Jack Jones. An absolutely wonderful singer and a fine actor in this crazy British horror film from Pete Walker. pic.twitter.com/n89pWNRm0Q

— Christopher Wesley Moore (@someplaintme) October 24, 2024

COUNSEL Jack Jones. The son of actors Allan Jones and Irene Hervey, he had a wonderful swinging voice, perfect for the 1960s. I have a vivid childhood memory of the song below . It was a hit for him and played constantly on the radio in the early 1960s.

— KIM BRITT KNITS (@kphbritt) October 24, 2024

COUNSEL Jack Jones
– And I know that only then will I be honest
To this glorious quest
May my heart lie still and peaceful
When I lie down to rest pic.twitter.com/CIqnzrJ7Y5

— Tom Reagan’s Hat (@RufusTSuperfly) October 24, 2024

After Boat of LoveJones continued to perform across the country and celebrated his 80th birthday with fanfare with a concert of his greatest hits at the McCallum Theater in Palm Desert, California.

Jones was married six times and is survived by his wife Eleanor, daughters Crystal and Nicole, stepdaughters Nicole and Colette, and three grandchildren.