Jack Jones, the velvet-voiced singer who won two Grammy Awards and gained widespread recognition for “The Love Boat” theme song, died Wednesday night, October 23 in Rancho Mirage, California. He was 86.

His manager, Milton B. Suchin, confirmed that Jones passed away at a Rancho Mirage hospital while holding hands with his wife Eleonora and his toy poodle Ivy, following a two-year battle with leukemia.

Born John Allan Jones on January 14, 1938, in Hollywood, California, he was the son of singer Allan Jones and Emmy-nominated actress Irene Hervey. His entertainment career began at age 19 with a brief performance in his father’s show at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. While pursuing his singing ambitions, Jones supported himself by working as a gas station attendant.

Jones’s professional journey took flight when he signed with Capitol Records in 1959, releasing “This Love of Mine.” His career soared after joining Kapp Records, where he recorded nearly 20 albums and secured his first Grammy wins. The recording artist claimed Grammy Awards for “Lollipops and Roses” and the 1963 hit “Wives and Lovers.”

Frank Sinatra once described Jones as “the best potential singer in the business,” a compliment that proved prophetic as Jones went on to record more than 50 albums throughout his career, with 17 reaching Billboard’s Top 20.

His most enduring contribution to popular culture came through “The Love Boat” theme song, which reached No. 37 on Billboard’s U.S. Adult Contemporary songs chart in 1980. The memorable tune, featuring lyrics inviting listeners to “set a course for adventure, your mind on a new romance,” became synonymous with ABC’s romantic-comedy series. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Dionne Warwick, Olivia Newton-John, and Charo.

Beyond his musical achievements, Jones appeared in various films, including “Juke Box Rhythm,” “The Comeback,” “Airplane II: The Sequel,” and “Cruise of the Gods.” In 2013, he made a cameo appearance as himself, portraying a nightclub singer in “American Hustle.”

The entertainment industry recognized Jones’s contributions with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989, positioned near his father’s star. He later received a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 2003.

Jones maintained an active presence in California’s Coachella Valley, performing regularly in the region, including a special concert celebrating his 80th birthday. Known for his wit, he often joked that his ambition was to become the world’s greatest singer by default, as many of his contemporaries had passed away.

He is survived by his wife Eleonora, two daughters – Nicole Jones and Crystal Thomas Jones – and three grandchildren.