Stephen Stills had auditioned for the newest television series about four pop rock musicians but was turned down since the show’s producers felt his hair and teeth wouldn’t photograph well on camera. They inquired Stills if he knew of someone having a similar “open, Nordic look,” and Stills proposed Tork audition for the component. Tork got the occupation and became among the four members of The Monkees, who ended up being both characters in a television situation comedy as well as a group in their very own right. Tork was a skillful musician, and though the group typically had not been permitted to play their particular instruments on their initial two records, he was an exception, playing what he described as “third seat guitar” on Mike Nesmith’s tune, “Papa Gene’s Blues,” from their very first record. He later played keyboards, bass guitar, banjo, harpsichord, as well as other instruments on their records. He also co-composed, in addition to Joey Richards, the closing theme song of the next season of The Monkees, “For Pete’s Sake”. In commentary tracks contained in the DVD launch of the initial season of the show, Nesmith said that Tork was better at playing guitar than bass guitar. Jones filled in briefly for Tork on bass guitar when he played keyboards.
[on the death of fellow Monkee Davy Jones] It is with great sadness that I reflect on the sudden passing of my long-time friend and fellow adventurer, David Jones. His talent will be much missed; his gifts will be with us always. Adios to the Manchester Cowboy.
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[late 1960s] "I don't believe in 'My country right or wrong'. My country wrong needs my help."
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The longest I've ever gone without playing [guitar] is two or three days. It keeps me going.
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You should be a hero to yourself. And if you're not... check it out.
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Fact
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Peter and Davy Jones together did the 1986 Sound Of The Monkee's Australian Tour.
2
Peter join Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz on May to July for 45th Anniversary World Tour in 2011.
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Beginning in April 2001, he joined Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones for the Monkees 35th Anniversary Reunion. [2001]
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Guest appearances with Jeff Pitchell & The Texas Flood, continues to tour with Shoe Suede Blues, joined by Aura3 on dates beginning August 2005. [2005]
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currently playing with his band Shoe Suede Blues, and Two Man Band who has been joined by the group Aura3. Both acts continue to tour all over the US. [2004]
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Resigned from the Monkees tour in 2001. Played his last Monkees concert on August 31, 2001. [2001]
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He has been touring small venues with musician/singer James Lee Stanley since early 1996.
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Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues released their second CD, Cambria Hotel, in February of 2007. Band member Richard Mikuls (formerly with Rufus Feat, Chaka Khan) on guitar/vocals died of heart failure in 2008. Other band members include Arnold Jacks on bass/backing vocals, John Palmer on drums/backing vocals and Tork on guitar, piano, banjo and vocals. Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues toured The United Kingdom immediately following the release of the new CD. [February 2007]
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Attended E.O. Smith High School in northeastern Connecticut. Another alumnus was Rivers Cuomo of Weezer.
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Has been diagnosed with a rare form of head and neck cancer and underwent surgery to remove the growth on his tongue [March 5, 2009].
11
The Monkees were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6675 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
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Tork and his grandmother were close; when he became a Monkee, "Grams" was one of his staunchest supporters, running a fan club for him, keeping a huge scrap book on The Monkees and checking local record stores to see that they kept Monkees records in stock.
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While with The Monkees, Tork was involved in the group's most famous musical outtake, "Lady's Baby," a song released in 1995 as a bonus track on the reissue of the group's fifth LP, and inspired by Karen Harvey Hammer, the wife of his business partner Bob Hammer. The Hammers had an infant son, Justin. Peter insisted on getting the cooing of little Justin recorded for use on "Lady's Baby," which required following the baby around the studio with a microphone. Peter's use of baby cooing on a pop album predated by some 30 years the practice later incorporated by country beauties Martina McBride and Sara Evans, who used the cooing of their own children on some of their songs.
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Peter and his close friend James Lee Stanley have released two CDs of their music. Among the songs used is a cover of "Pleasant Valley Sunday."
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Was actually the first Monkee to play an instrument on one of their records ("Papa Gene's Blues"), after writer/producer Michael Nesmith insisted Peter be allowed to add a guitar part.
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The most accomplished musician of The Monkees, Tork plays 12 different instruments; his choice "depends on what kind of music I'm playing." While producers Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart admired Tork's playing, he was almost never given lead vocals on the Monkees' records. Box-set and CD bonus tracks from the 1980s and 1990s included several rarely-heard Tork songs and vocals.
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Taught algebra and coached baseball at a private school in the late 1970s; also worked as a singing waiter. Said later he'd have been pleased to join Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones in their reunion with Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, had they asked.
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Declined an invitation to rejoin The Monkees for a McDonald's TV commercial, as he is a vegetarian (Michael Nesmith also declined, because there was no promise of further work).
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Peter has a daughter named Hallie Elizabeth (b. 25 January 1970) with Reine Stewart) and a son named Ivan Joseph (b. 22 December 1975) with Barbara Iannoli) and a daughter named Erica Marie (b. 15 June 1997) with Tammy Sustek.
20
When Stephen Stills was turned down by The Monkees (1966) producers because his teeth were crooked and his hair was falling out, he recommended a local folk musician who looked like him named Peter Tork.