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On this day, February 13, 1942, Peter Tork of the Monkees was born.
Hat tip for the reminder, This Day in Music
Sat Feb 13, 2021: On this day, February 13, 1942, Peter Tork of the Monkees was born.
A lot of threads were started at DU when he died in 2019. Do a site search for "Peter Tork." You'll find them.
He was my favorite Monkee.
Peter Tork
Tork in 1966
Born: Peter Halsten Thorkelson; February 13, 1942; Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died: February 21, 2019 (aged 77)
Mansfield, Connecticut, U.S.
Peter Halsten Thorkelson (February 13, 1942 – February 21, 2019), known professionally as Peter Tork, was an American musician, composer, and actor who was best known as the keyboardist and bass guitarist of the Monkees.
Tork grew up in Connecticut and in the mid-1960s as part of the Greenwich Village folk scene in New York City where he befriended musician Stephen Stills. After moving to Los Angeles with Stills, he was recruited for the musical television sitcom The Monkees. The success of the show made him a teen idol from 1966 to 1968. He released one solo album, Stranger Things Have Happened (1994), and later toured with James Lee Stanley as well as his band, Shoe Suede Blues.
{snip}
Tork in 1966
Born: Peter Halsten Thorkelson; February 13, 1942; Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died: February 21, 2019 (aged 77)
Mansfield, Connecticut, U.S.
Peter Halsten Thorkelson (February 13, 1942 – February 21, 2019), known professionally as Peter Tork, was an American musician, composer, and actor who was best known as the keyboardist and bass guitarist of the Monkees.
Tork grew up in Connecticut and in the mid-1960s as part of the Greenwich Village folk scene in New York City where he befriended musician Stephen Stills. After moving to Los Angeles with Stills, he was recruited for the musical television sitcom The Monkees. The success of the show made him a teen idol from 1966 to 1968. He released one solo album, Stranger Things Have Happened (1994), and later toured with James Lee Stanley as well as his band, Shoe Suede Blues.
{snip}
Peter Tork starts at 9:00.
Monkees Screen Tests
1,073,958 views • Dec 22, 2010
loomyaire
4.85K subscribers
Rare black and white footage of Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones auditioning for the 60s hit NBC television program The Monkees.
1,073,958 views • Dec 22, 2010
loomyaire
4.85K subscribers
Rare black and white footage of Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones auditioning for the 60s hit NBC television program The Monkees.
Peter Tork - Lady's Baby (Stereo 1968 w/ Steve Stills & Buddy Miles)
29,652 views • Feb 13, 2018
The Monkees Archives
13.1K subscribers
Written by Peter Tork. Recorded in 1968 during the extensive sessions for "The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees. Peter's friend, Karen Harvey Hammer, had a son named Justin who became the inspiration for Peter's song "Lady's Baby."
Although sadly, this masterpiece was never released on the 1968 album, many bootlegs of many multiple takes were shared through the years. Thankfully, masters were unearthed by Andrew Sandoval of many takes and this one, in particular shines! I have a total of at least 5 takes that were legitimately released on varies deluxe sets and compilations.
With a band consisting of:
Peter Tork: Guitars, vocals
Stephen Stills: Guitar
Buddy Miles: Drums
Lance Wakely: Bass
Imagine the music Peter could have released!!
No other Monkees were involved in Peter's later sessions. It has been said that Micky, Davy & Michael tried to have Peter give final word on his songs and have them on the album. Along with his fabulous, "Merry Go Round", "Tear The Top Off My Head" and a cover of "The Young Rascals", "Come On In"....many of these songs didn't see a proper release until the late 90's and the 21st Century.
This video was made as a Birthday video for my favorite Peter!
I am not attempting to misuse any copyright. This video and it's audio have been uploaded for entertainment purposes only! Both are absolutely in accordance with "fair use" standards (Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright act).
To purchase The Monkees music, visit Amazon or monkees.com
29,652 views • Feb 13, 2018
The Monkees Archives
13.1K subscribers
Written by Peter Tork. Recorded in 1968 during the extensive sessions for "The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees. Peter's friend, Karen Harvey Hammer, had a son named Justin who became the inspiration for Peter's song "Lady's Baby."
Although sadly, this masterpiece was never released on the 1968 album, many bootlegs of many multiple takes were shared through the years. Thankfully, masters were unearthed by Andrew Sandoval of many takes and this one, in particular shines! I have a total of at least 5 takes that were legitimately released on varies deluxe sets and compilations.
With a band consisting of:
Peter Tork: Guitars, vocals
Stephen Stills: Guitar
Buddy Miles: Drums
Lance Wakely: Bass
Imagine the music Peter could have released!!
No other Monkees were involved in Peter's later sessions. It has been said that Micky, Davy & Michael tried to have Peter give final word on his songs and have them on the album. Along with his fabulous, "Merry Go Round", "Tear The Top Off My Head" and a cover of "The Young Rascals", "Come On In"....many of these songs didn't see a proper release until the late 90's and the 21st Century.
This video was made as a Birthday video for my favorite Peter!
I am not attempting to misuse any copyright. This video and it's audio have been uploaded for entertainment purposes only! Both are absolutely in accordance with "fair use" standards (Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright act).
To purchase The Monkees music, visit Amazon or monkees.com
Remembering Peter Tork - I Don't Think You Know Me (1942-2019)
8,277 views • Apr 16, 2019
The Monkees Archives
13.1K subscribers
On a personal note, February 21, 2019 will always be one of the saddest days in my lifetime. Equally as sad was February 29, 2012 when Monkees fans all over the world lost Mr. David Jones.
I hope this video tribute I've made warms the hearts of Peter's fans! Peter was a very kind heart and extremely appreciative of his fans. Sadly, after Davy died, things got very tough for Peter. He developed adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare, slow-growing form of head and neck cancer. A biopsy discovered that the cancer had not spread beyond the initial site, his tongue. After major surgery and a long recovery, Peter underwent radiation therapy to prevent the cancer from returning.
In 2018, his cancer returned and many fans noticed his obvious weight loss and like myself, prepared for the day we would lose "Monkee #2" ( as he said in "33⅓ Revolutions Per Monkee" ).
Thanks to a newly found 1966 instrumental take of Peter's version of "I Don't Think You Know Me" (written by Carole King & Gerry Goffin), I was able to correct the otherwise muddy and distorted versions most fans have of this song. The pitch was slowed down so Peter could hit the keys needed. I corrected that original pitch change and cleared up the intro as well.
Rest In Peace Peter! You are missed.
8,277 views • Apr 16, 2019
The Monkees Archives
13.1K subscribers
On a personal note, February 21, 2019 will always be one of the saddest days in my lifetime. Equally as sad was February 29, 2012 when Monkees fans all over the world lost Mr. David Jones.
I hope this video tribute I've made warms the hearts of Peter's fans! Peter was a very kind heart and extremely appreciative of his fans. Sadly, after Davy died, things got very tough for Peter. He developed adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare, slow-growing form of head and neck cancer. A biopsy discovered that the cancer had not spread beyond the initial site, his tongue. After major surgery and a long recovery, Peter underwent radiation therapy to prevent the cancer from returning.
In 2018, his cancer returned and many fans noticed his obvious weight loss and like myself, prepared for the day we would lose "Monkee #2" ( as he said in "33⅓ Revolutions Per Monkee" ).
Thanks to a newly found 1966 instrumental take of Peter's version of "I Don't Think You Know Me" (written by Carole King & Gerry Goffin), I was able to correct the otherwise muddy and distorted versions most fans have of this song. The pitch was slowed down so Peter could hit the keys needed. I corrected that original pitch change and cleared up the intro as well.
Rest In Peace Peter! You are missed.
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
RIP, Peter. If there is joy in another realm, he must be bringing it. 
