Agency Report

Mike Nesmith, one of four members of 1960s television and pop phenomenon The Monkees, has died, fellow band member Micky Dolenz and his family said Friday. He was 78.

The group were a made-for-TV outfit put together in the United States to rival Britain’s The Beatles.

Dubbed “The Pre-Fab Four” – a play on their artifice and The Beatles’ nickname — The Monkees were a commercial smash, whose catchy pop hits remain instantly recognizable more than 50 years on.

“I’m heartbroken. I’ve lost a dear friend and partner,” tweeted Dolenz, the last surviving member of the foursome.

“I’m so grateful that we could spend the last couple of months together doing what we loved best – singing, laughing, and doing shtick. I’ll miss it all so much. Especially the shtick. Rest in peace, Nez.”

US media quoted a family statement saying Nesmith had died at home of natural causes.

Nesmith, Dolenz and Peter Tork were recruited to star alongside Briton Davy Jones in the 1966-1968 TV series about an aspiring band looking for their big break.