Peter Tork, keyboardist and bass guitarist of ‘60s pop group The Monkees, has died Thursday. He was 77.
His death was confirmed by his sister Anne Thorkelson, The Washington Post reported. In 1999 Tork had been diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare cancer affecting his tongue.
“It is with beyond-heavy and broken hearts that we share the devastating news that our friend, mentor, teacher, and amazing soul, Peter Tork, has passed from this world,” the musician’s Facebook page posted.
“As we have mentioned in the past, the PTFB team is made up of Peter’s friends, family and colleagues – we ask for your kindness and understanding in allowing us to grieve this huge loss privately. This page will remain open for your use in sharing your thoughts with your fellow fans and hopefully helping you through your own grieving journey, however, the team will not be available for some time as we start to mend our own hearts and calm our minds.”
“We want to thank each and every one of you for your love, dedication and support of our ‘boss,’” the statement continued. “Having you in our world has meant so very much to all of us. Please know that Peter was extremely appreciative of you, his Torkees, and one of his deepest joys was to be out in front of you, playing his music, and seeing you enjoy what he had to share. We send blessings and thoughts of comfort to you all, with much gratitude.”
Tork was born Peter Halsten Thorkelson in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13, 1942. His mother was a homemaker, and his father – an Army officer who served in the military government in Berlin after World War II – was an economics professor.
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,473PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,473
Miami, FL USA
Now there are only two surviving members of the band. Davey Jones died a few years ago.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
Now there are only two surviving members of the band. Davey Jones died a few years ago.
Jones died Feb 29 2012 of a heart attack.
There was only 16 squadrons of RAF fighters that used 100 octane during the BoB. The Fw190A could not fly with the outer cannon removed. There was no Fw190A-8s flying with the JGs in 1945.
my neighborhood friends got together after school to watch The Monkees, Perry Mason, and Star Trek then outside to ride bikes, play football. Those were great times.
my neighborhood friends got together after school to watch The Monkees, Perry Mason, and Star Trek then outside to ride bikes, play football. Those were great times.
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,473PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,473
Miami, FL USA
Nostalgia is a powerful emotion.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
I tend to go a overboard with nostalgia sometimes and have even discussed with my wife if I should look into getting a 50-year mental check-up or tune-up or something (paraphrasing)...
Wife: "Do you ever feel sad or depressed?" Me: "No, not really. Unless I have a reason to be sad (something like a death in the family) but it eventually passes." Wife: "So, you just want to go back?" Me: "Kinda. I guess what I *really* want is to relive my better days as much as possible...with you, while we're still 'young'." Wife: "Well, maybe you are a little crazy but I think we both are. Could be why we click so well." Me: "I'll drink to that."
++++++++++
RIP Peter Tork. I've heard the name and of The Monkees but they were really before my time (born in 1967). Still, cool song posted above.
Side note, I love this scene from the Brady Bunch movie (1995) where Davy Jones (who apparently wasn't completely comfortable during filming) sings with a Grunge band at Marcia's school dance...
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
I looked at some of The Monkees stuff on youtube and it is pretty wild and weird. I'm a suckah for pop done well and the monkees have some great tunes. The car is pretty cool, too!
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,473PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,473
Miami, FL USA
Originally Posted by Patrocles
RIP Mr. Tork.
I looked at some of The Monkees stuff on youtube and it is pretty wild and weird. I'm a suckah for pop done well and the monkees have some great tunes. The car is pretty cool, too!
I watched several episodes of the Monkees show (reruns of course) when I was a kid and even back then I was struck by how strange it was.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
I looked at some of The Monkees stuff on youtube and it is pretty wild and weird. I'm a suckah for pop done well and the monkees have some great tunes. The car is pretty cool, too!
I watched several episodes of the Monkees show (reruns of course) when I was a kid and even back then I was struck by how strange it was.
The TV show was definitely a product of its era. Apparently my parents watched it when I was little and my Mom said I used to "giggle like the dickens" at Peter Tork's silliness. Without realizing it that experience as a toddler must have colored my later viewings aas a teenager because Peter was and still is my favorite Monkee.
I was really sorry to see that Peter passed. Used to watch the Monkees every day as a small kid, loved the show and still love the music. Rest in Peace.