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Singer-songwriter Michael Nesmith, best known for his time of the first rock boy bands ever, the Monkees, has passed away at the age of 78. The rock star died due to heart failure on Friday in California.

Big Part Of Monkees, Michael Nesmith

NBC Television

The family of Michael Nesmith confirmed the news last week. “With Infinite Love we announce that Michael Nesmith has passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully and of natural causes,” his family said in a statement. “We ask that you respect our privacy at this time and we thank you for the love and light that all of you have shown him and us.”

While he wrote some of the Monkees’ biggest hits, like “The Girl I Knew Somewhere,” “Circle Sky,” “Mary, Mary,” and “Listen to the Band,” Nesmith didn’t exactly love his time in the hit ’60s band. “It was nonstop from the moment the show aired, so there was a constant hyper-interest in the group of us,” he said in a recent interview. “The meter was maxed and stayed that way for a couple of years.”

After the Monkees, Nesmith started the First National Band, a country-rock outfit, with whom he created the 1970 hit “Joanne.” Following that, the singer-songwriter took a step back from the recording world. Instead, he focused on investing, just like his mother, Liquid Paper inventor Bette Nesmith Graham. In his time as an investor, he helped create films like Repo Man, according to Rolling Stone Magazine. Still, he never lost his love of music. “The music just lifts me up. It’s what makes life worth living these days, playing live music,” he said. “It’s something I’d never thought I’d say, because I never did enjoy it that much, but this is really a good time.”

“Wool Hat”

Colgems Records

In recent years, Nesmith appeared with the remaining members of the Monkees on a farewell that recently ended in November. Fellow Monkee Micky Dolenz, 76, also reacted to Nesmith’s death, “I’m heartbroken. I’ve 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. I’ll miss it all so much. Especially the shtick. Rest in peace, Nez. All my love, Mick.”

Dolenz was not the only one who responded to Nesmith’s passing. Longtime Monkees manager Andrew Sandoval, who helped form the band, said he felt “deep sadness,” in a statement. However, he was happy that Nesmith went on the farewell tour.

“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,” he wrote on Facebook. “Nez expressed the highest part of his being through his voice. And you could get no closer to him than through knowing his work. May all those who loved him feel his comfort at this time – just listen and he will be there for you.”

Rest in peace, Michael Nesmith.