Peter Tork, Monkees' lovable bass-guitar player, dead at 77

Associated Press
Los Angeles
Peter Tork
This June 4, 1967 photo shows Peter Tork, center, of The Monkees at the 19th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Tork, who rocketed to teen idol fame in 1965 playing the lovably clueless bass guitarist in the made-for-television rock band The Monkees, died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, of complications related to cancer, according to his son Ivan Iannoli.
AP | STF

Share

Peter Tork, who rose to teen-idol fame in 1966 playing the lovably clueless bass guitarist in the made-for-television rock band The Monkees, has died.

He was 77.

Jane Blumkell of fellow Monkee Micky Dolenz's production company tells The Associated Press Tork died Thursday morning.

Peter Tork takes the mic with the Monkees in London, 1967.
Peter Tork takes the mic with the Monkees in London, 1967.
Mike McLaren/Central Press/Getty Images

The accomplished multi-instrumentalist was performing in Los Angeles clubs when he learned of a casting call for "four insane boys," who would star in a TV show about a struggling rock band.

He, Dolenz, David Jones and Michael Nesmith became overnight sensations when the show took off in 1966.

He left the group in 1968 amid creative differences but reunited for tours with the others every few years. His last was in 2016.

Tork also recorded blues and folk music and made several TV appearances.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Providing Support for MPR.
Learn More
Program ScheduleStation Directory