Peter Tork, Monkees Guitarist, Passes At 77

Peter Tork

PETER TORK, the sly bass guitarist in '60s teenpop TV sensation THE MONKEES, passed away today at the age of 77. TORK's sister ANNE THORKELSON, confirmed his death to the WASHINGTON POST, though no cause was specified. TORK was diagnosed with a rare form of tongue cancer in 2009.

Although the band was made-for-TV, both TORK and MIKE NESMITH were accomplished musicians on the folk and rock scenes of the early '60s, while MICKY DOLENZ and DAVY JONES were child actors. TORK was the group's flaky "lovable dummy" comic foil, sort of the RINGO of the band ... a persona he developed during his stint as a folk musician on the GREENWICH VILLAGE downtown NEW YORK scene.

Born in WASHINGTON, DC, as PETER HALSTEN THORKELSON, TORK was originally recommended to THE MONKEES producers by STEPHEN STILLS, who also auditioned for the part, but was turned down because they thought his hair and teeth wouldn't show off well on camera. TORK actually played some guitar on the group's first two albums, going on to contribute keyboards, bass, banjo and harpsichord, among other instruments to the band's recordings. That's his piano intro to "Daydream Believer," banjo interlude in "You Told Me," and songwriting credits on "For Pete's Sake" and "Lady's Baby."

During a trip to LONDON in 1967, he contributed banjo parts to GEORGE HARRISON's "Wonderwall" soundtrack, then participated in several MONKEES reunions in 1986 and 2011. 

In 2012, he joined DOLENZ and NESMITH with a MONKEES tour in honor of the album "Headquarters" and its 45th anniversary, as well as in tribute to the late DAVY JONES. The trio would tour again in 2013 and 2014.

TORK documented his experiences with cancer on FACEBOOK, encouraging his fans to support efforts of the CYSTIC CARCINOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION.

TORK is survived by his fourth wife JODY BABB, two daughters (HALLIE ELIZABETH, 49 and ERICA MARIE, 21) and a son (IVAN JOSEPH, 43). 

« see more Net News