Remembering Monkees Bassist Peter Tork on the Fourth Anniversary of His Death

Today we remember former Monkees bassist and multi-instrumentalist Peter Tork on the 4th anniversary of his death.

Source: Michael Ochs Archives

On March 3rd, 2009, he had announced on his official website that he had been diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a cancer of the head and neck. He writes: "It's a bad news/good news situation. It's so rare a combination (on the tongue) that there isn't a lot of experience among the medical community about this particular combination. On the other hand, the type of cancer it is, never mind the location, is somewhat well known, and the prognosis, I'm told, is good."

He began radiation therapy the following day in New York City, and all seemed well until June 11th, when a spokesperson for Tork reported that the cancer had returned. He was reportedly given an 80% chance of shrinking and containing the tumor, and underwent surgery soon after.

Post-recovery, he had an interview with the Washington Post where he stated: "I recovered very quickly after my surgery, and I've been hoping that my better-than-average constitution will keep the worst effects of radiation at bay. My voice and energy still seem to be in decent shape, so maybe I can pull these gigs off after all."

He managed to tour until 2018 when the cancer had returned yet again. He died in his sleep a year later in his home in Mansfield, Connecticut. Former bandmate Michael Nesmith delivered the news to fans in the following statement:

"Peter Tork died this AM. I am told he slipped away peacefully. Yet, as I write this my tears are awash, and my heart is broken. Even though I am clinging to the idea that we all continue, the pain that attends these passings has no cure. It's going to be a rough day. I share with all Monkees fans this change, this 'loss,' even so. PT will be a part of me forever. I have said this before—and now it seems even more apt—the reason we called it a band is because it was where we all went to play. A band no more—and yet the music plays on—an anthem to all who made the Monkees and the TV show our private—dare I say 'secret'—playground. As for Pete, I can only pray his songs reach the heights that can lift us and that our childhood lives forever—that special sparkle that was the Monkees. I will miss him—a brother in arms. Take flight my Brother."

Micky Dolenz also released a brief statement on Twitter. "There are no words right now...heartbroken over the loss of my Monkee brother, Peter Tork."

Throughout his final years, Tork encouraged fans to support research efforts of the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation as he documented his experiences on Facebook. 

With that, today is a great day to listen to his music. 

Wishing all of you a wonderful day,

Olive Grace.

Hey there! I'm Olive, and I'm a part-time blog writer hoping to share my love of older music and countercultural history. I started this blog during my freshman year of college as a means to get a head start doing what I love most - writing. I've always loved writing and music, and wanted to do something that would involve doing both. Now, I've got this cool (totally not biased) blog page!

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