FOG BLOG ENTERTAINMENT LOG: MICHAEL NESMITH, PICTURED RIGHT, OF THE MONKEES DIES AT 78!

Michael Nesmith: The Monkees star dies at 78...Michael Nesmith, singer, guitarist and songwriter with 1960s pop group The Monkees, has died at the age of 78.

The quartet enjoyed hits like Daydream Believer and I'm A Believer, and starred in their own popular TV sitcom.

Nesmith wrote numerous tunes including Listen To The Band, Sunny Girlfriend and Tapioca Tundra.

In a statement, his family said he "passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully and of natural causes".

Fellow Monkees band member Micky Dolenz said he was "heartbroken" at having "lost a dear friend and partner".

"I'm so grateful that we could spend the last couple of months together doing what we loved best - singing, laughing, and doing shtick," he tweeted . Nesmith and Dolenz had been on tour last month and the group's manager Andrew Sandoval said: "We shared many travels and projects together over the course of 30 years, which culminated in a Monkees farewell tour that wrapped up only a few weeks ago.

"That tour was a true blessing for so many. And in the end I know that Michael was at peace with his legacy which included songwriting, producing, acting, direction and so many innovative ideas and concepts.

"I am positive the brilliance he captured will resonate and offer the love and light towards which he always moved."

Nesmith died from heart failure at his home in Carmel Valley, California, on Friday, a spokesman for record label Rhino told BBC News.