Michael Nesmith, Monkees singer-songwriter and guitarist, has died at 78

Musician Michael Nesmith, who rose to fame as a singer-songwriter and guitarist for The Monkees, died Friday of heart failure at his home in California, the band's record label, Rhino Records, confirmed to CBS News. He was 78.

In a statement to Rolling Stone, Nesmith's family said he died peacefully Friday morning surrounded by family members at his home in Carmel Valley, California. "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," the family said.

Nesmith played in a farewell tour that ended nearly a month ago with bandmate Micky Dolenz. The quartet's other two members died in recent years. Peter Tork died in 2019, and Davy Jones died in 2012.