‘The Love Boat’ Theme Singer Jack Jones Dies at 86 — Fans Pay Tribute

Jack Jones on 'The Talk'
Lisette M. Azar / CBS via Getty Images

Jack Jones, who lit up living rooms across America for decades as an actor and hitmaker, undoubtedly best known for singing the theme song to ABC’s The Love Boat (1977-1986), died on Wednesday, October 23.

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

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

However, it was the theme song for the opening titles of The Love Boat that made Jones a household name. The song, which was aptly titled “Love Boat,” became so popular that he released it as a single in 1979. It brought him a cameo as a lounge singer in 1982’s Airplane II: The Sequel and he now has a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

Jones performed The Love Boat theme for seven of the cruise-ship-set series’ eight seasons. Dionne Warwick rearranged the song and sang it for the final season.

Jones was also no stranger to variety TV. He performed on 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 also guest-starred on game shows like Password and in series like Police Woman, McMillan & Wife, and, naturally, The Love Boat.

Fans took to social media after the news broke mourning the tremendous loss and recalling fond memories of his music.

 

 

 

After The Love Boat, Jones continued performing across the country and he celebrated his 80th birthday in fanfare with a concert of his greatest hits at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California.

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