Friday, February 22, 2019

Peter Tork 1942 - 2019

Goffin and King's folk-rock classic "Wasn't Born to Follow." A Sixties studio outtake reworked for The Monkees fabulous 2016 album Good Times. Tork on lead vocal.



Mann and Weill's gorgeous "Shades of Grey," from The Monkees even more fabulous 1967 album Headquarters. All instruments played by Davy, Mike, Mickey and Peter, except for French horn and cello. Lead vocals by Tork and Davy.



And this is one of the most endearing things I've ever seen -- Tork's audition for The Monkees tv show. What a charmer.



I've said it before and I'll say it again -- the fact that Jann Wenner won't allow these guys into the Hall of Fame, and has not been struck by lightning, is all the proof one needs of the non-existence of God.

Have a great weekend, everybody.

9 comments:

Billy B said...

Tork was the funniest of the lads (zany is what I think "they" used to call it).

When I talked my mother into buying "Headquarters" for me, I didn't like it all that much compared to the first couple of albums (note: I was 10 years old). That being said, I've listened to the album since and it is much better than I remember.

RIP Peter...

Anonymous said...

Agree with your comments re: Hall Of Fame, Steve. What's doubly sad is that, even if the Monkees somehow do get in, Davy and now Peter won't be around to enjoy it, much in the same way that some of the guys from the Dave Clark Five weren't around when that group finally got inducted.

Chris E.

P.S. Love HEADQUARTERS and PISCES, AQUARIUS...

Gummo said...

I was 10 when the Monkees premiered, which meant they were one of "my" bands. All the great 60s r'n'r bands belonged to my big brother & his friends, but the Monkees were OURS.

The TV show lost its oomph long before the music did, which is funny in that the show was the entire raison d'etre for the music.

So many of their songs are little pop masterpieces. I'm glad no one cares anymore that they didn't begin existence as an organic band (remember when that seemed to matter?). I'm glad too that over the years all the members grew comfortable with being the Monkees, I just wish I had gotten to see'em just once.

Phil Cheese said...

Sure wish I still had all those Monkees bubble gum cards I bought through out 1966 (at age 6), or even more so, all those Beatles ones that I bought the year prior! My Dad: "Phil, why are you spending that whole one dollar on 20 packs of Monkees bubble gum cards when instead you can buy that big Mattel car??!!"

Billy B said...

Phil C. - I had forgotten about the Monkees bubble gum cards. I had a bunch, too. I seem to remember on one side of the card was part of a large pic of the boys. I had a good portion of the pic on the wall in the garage, but never completed it.

mainuh said...

Wow Steve...another rural CT. resident of "a certain age", which I am familiar with. Among other influences, my band, covered a few Monkees songs. Funny thing, while out getting coffee this morning there was a Monkees, Osmonds, Partridge Family debate. My take, still today 40 plus years later, is that the Monkees were the most genuine.
One has to remember that Peter was an accomplished guitar player prior to his TV gig. Mike Nesmith wrote "Different Drum", a huge first hit for Linda Ronstadt. Both David and Mickey stage and screen actors comfortable on a public stage.
Their TV lip syncing was no different from the Beach Boys, DC5, etc.

The sad thing, and I don't know why, is that he never appeared to show up/play at the various small venue music bars/halls.
Where we lived it was not out of the ordinary to see Jose Feliciano, Ian Hunter, Paul Simon, Corky Laing ,Steve Holley (ex Wings), Dennis Dunaway/Michael Bruce (Alice Cooper)... playing somewhere local.

Again and in closing, So Sad. I can only hope that when he closed his eyes, took his last breathes that he had a smile recognizing that he made a generations life a bit lighter that first show on Monday night, 1966.

rob

pete said...

Yes, the Monkees were a manufactured band. You know who else was a manufactured band, selected for their looks and the way they fit the concept? Peter Paul, and Mary, for one, the Sex Pistols for another.

Anonymous said...

Let's see. Someone else writes all the songs. Other musicians and producers handle everything but the vocals. They are provided a platform to showcase their product complete with choreography and an image.

The Supremes?

Martha & the Vandellas?

The Shirelles?

All in the Hall of Fame, right?

Just sayin'

Still love those Monkees songs to this day....


The Decibels said...

I didn't think Peter's passing would hit me as hard as it did. The Monkees were a huge influence on me - inspiring me to learn the guitar and be in a rock 'n' roll band. As a kid, I'd watch the Monkees reruns after school, and dream about one day living in a beach house with my band mates, playing keen rock songs, all while rescuing the princess of Harmonica from her evil uncle Otto.

So many of us started out into music this way, being inspired by the Monkees. As the bassist in the Decibels, I could relate in many ways to Peter... the shy silly stupid one. The blonde one. The one who enjoys making people laugh. Heck, I even persuaded the guys to cover a Monkees song or two in our sets. So many of us in powerpop bands did the same thing.

What I owe the Monkees is invaluable.

Brent