“The Lovable Dummy: Peter Tork”
Dr. Rox Remember When? Article (#85-pT) April 2018 (#10 for WDGY)
By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerro
Peter Tork was born Peter Halsten Thorkleson in Washington D.C. on Friday 13 February 1942, he graduated from High School in Willimantic, Connecticut and went to collage here in Minnesota in Northfield, at Carlton Collage from 1960 to 1963 and was a local Radio DJ, there, he made a short film titled “The Love Potion”, and there is now a lounge named after Tork on the campus.Sometime in ’63 Tork later moved to Greenwich Village in NYC,then sometime in 1964, he was briefly a member of ‘The Mugwumps’ this music group also contained 2 future members of the ‘Mamas & Papas’ & 2 future members of the ‘Lovin Spoonful’ it was in Greenwich Village he befriended future ‘Buffalo Springfield’ member Stephen Stills, Tork & Stills would eventually move to Hollywood sometime in ’65, where Stills would see the local paper ad for the casting call of The Monkees TV Show, Stills would go down to audition but was not selected, when he went back to his apt. he suggested his roommate Tork go down to audition.
Tork got the 4th member position for the TV Show because of what Tork called “Making my dummy face, like Harpo Marx” Stills did however play on the Monkees 3rd album ‘Headquarters’ Tork signed a 5 year contract in Sep 1965 with The Monkees, which he left early in Dec 1968, forfeiting 3 years pay. Tork was in 58 episodes of the TV Show. It was in fact Tork, who starred in Episode #52 “Devil & Peter Tork” (from 5 Feb 1968) where Tork accidentally sells his soul to “Mr. Zero” (the devil) for the ability to play the harp, & Yes, This Is Where We Took The Name Of Our RecordStore. A Film & a TV Special; he appeared on 6 albums & 9 Singles. Tork was the most proficient musician of the 4 members, he plays; Guitar, Banjo, Piano, Keyboards, Bass, French Horn & Vocals, while he did contribute a lot to the recording process of The Monkees Project, especially in late 1968, when, there were plans to make a “Double LP” with each Monkee getting 6 songs on one side of each LP, Micky on Side 1, David On Side 2, Michael on Side 3 & Tork on Side 4, although Tork was going to have a least 7 songs on his side, as several of his songs are fairly short in length. Ultimately Tork was only able to sing lead vocals on just 2 songs & co-lead on a couple others. In Dec ’67 on a trip to the UK George Harrison (Beatles) had Tork play banjo on his Film Sountrack of: “Wonderwall” you can find the song “Cowboy Music” 16 min into the film, Tork IS NOT on the Soundtrack Album due to Musician’s Union Rule you may not use the same recording on 2 different projects. Here is a list of Tork’s, writing & recording output in The Monkees.
Tork’s Songs in Monkees: 1966 -1968
-1966-
“I Don’t Think You Know Me” (ver 1) cut from “More Of” Jun- 1966
“Look Out here comes tomorrow” (ver 2) cut from “More Of” Nov- 1966
“Your Auntie Grizelda” on ‘More Of’ Jan 1967
“Can You Shimmy Like My Sister Kate” in ‘Concert’ Dec- 1966
-1967-
“For Pete’s Sake” on ‘Headquarters’ May-1967
“Shades Of Gray” on ‘Headquarters’ May-1967
“Zilch” on ‘Headquarters’ May-1967
“East Virginia” cut from ‘Headquarters’ May-1967
“Cripple Creek” ‘Live ’67’ Aug- 1967
“Words” on ‘Pisces, Aquarius,Capricorn, Jones Ltd.” Nov- 1967
“Peter Percival’s Pet Pig” on ‘Pisces, Aquarius,Capricorn, Jones Ltd.” Nov- 1967
“Special Announcement” on ‘Pisces, Aquarius,Capricorn, Jones Ltd.” Nov- 1967
“Goin Down” B-Side to “Daydream Believer” -1967
“Cowboy Music” in the “Wonderwall” film (only) Dec- 1967 with George Harrison
-1968-
“Alvin” cut from “Birds” Jan- 1968
“Wasn’t Born To Follow” cut from “Birds” still unreleased from 1967
“Seeger’s Theme” cut from “Birds” Jan- 1968
“Merry go Round” cut from “Birds” Jan- 1968
“Come On In” cut from “Birds” Feb -1968
“Lady’s Baby” cut from “Birds” Jan- 1967
“Tear The Top Off” in TV Show Nov- 1967
“Can You Dig It” on “Head soundtrack” Dec- 1968
“Long Title do I have to do this all over again” on “Head soundtrack” Dec- 1968
“My Song in 7” still unreleased from 1967
“Cindy” in Concert Sep-1968
-1969-
“I Prithee” in “33 & 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee” Apr- 1969
“Little Darlin” in “33 & 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee” Apr- 1969
“California Here It Comes” in “33 & 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee” Apr- 1969
“Solfeggietto” in “33 & 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee” Apr- 1969
> First Monkee Out:1969<
As mentioned Tork left The Monkees project in Dec ’68 after completing their only TV Special, he formed the Band ‘Release’ with Reine Stewart, Riley Wyldflower (Cummings), Judy Mayhan & Wendy Erdman, in 1970 Tork played Bass on the song “Help Me Sing The Sun Down” on Erdman’s solo LP. In ’71, Tork worked with Dolenz on the 45 Single “Oh Someone” In 1972 Tork was arrested for possession of hashish crossing the border from Texas into Oklahoma, he spent 3 months in the State Penitentiary; Tork “It was awful, I don’t recommend it for anybody & and for me, because the inmates lined up to see The MONKEE” In the mid 70s Tork moved to Santa Monica & became a private school teacher at Pacific Hills School for several years, Tork did work again with Dolenz & Jones in 1976 & 77 for 2 concert appearances & 1 Xmas Single. In the summer of 1980 Tork & Cottonmouth recorded a 6 song demo for Sire Records including: Pleasant Valley Sunday, Shades Of Gray, Good Looker, Hi Hi Babe, Since You Went Away, Higher & Higher. Tork’s lack of recorded output indicates, Tork must have thought of himself as a performing musician, rather than a recording musician. When I was in High School in Sioux City, in March 1980 Tork played the Paddock in South Sioux City, Ne. now I was not old enough to get into the bar, but as I understand this show (below) is from the tour he was on & would have played this setlist:
Bolingbrook 15 Sep 1979 Sat
Last Train To Clarksville
I’m A Believer
Your Auntie Grizelda
Cuddly Toy
I Wanna Be Free
Shades Of Gray
Lady’s Baby
Daydream Believer
I’ll Spend My Life With You
Cripple Creek
Higher & Higher
The Kretchma
Pleasant Valley Sunday
Steppin Stone
Shortly after this tour Tork released his only Vinyl recordings, just 3 songs;
A.45 Single: Peter’s Back “(I.N.Y.) Steppin Stone b/w Higher & Higher” Feb 1981 on Claude’s Music Works
B.Compilation LP Smithsonian Folkways “I Truly Understand”Jan 1982
Tork made a whopping 6 appearances on the Local TV Show “Uncle Floyd” from July 1980 to October 1982 as well as appearing on the “David Letterman Show” in July 1982.
There is a Beta Video of Tork & The New Monks, tour of Japan ’81, here is the track listing;
16 Aug 1981 Sunday
Shinjuku Koseinenkin Kaikan, Tokyo, Japan
Magdalena
Cripple Creek
Higher and Higher
Last Train to Clarksville
A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You
Daydream Believer
Pleasant Valley Sunday
Lucille
Hi Hi Babe
Shades of Gray
Valleri
Tender is the Chops
Your Auntie Grizelda
I’m a Believer
(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone
>They Sucked Me Back In: 1986<
In 1983 into 84 Tork had the band ‘The Peter Tork Project’ the Bass player is one Jerry Renino, who continued to play with The Monkees as a band or Solo outings from Jones & or Dolenz until his death in Mar 2007, making Renino one of two of the longest running musicians to play with The Monkees, the other being Guitarist; Wayne Avers, who still plays with The Monkees from 1991 to now in 2018. In late 1985 Jones & Tork re-formed The Monkees, Dolenz joined in mid ’86, Tork remained a member of The Monkees to Sep 1989, there were several recordings released, listed here with Tork’s songs listed.
’20th Anniversary Tour’ Jul- 1987
“MG-B-GT”
“For Pete’s Sake”
“Shades Of Gray”
‘Pool It’ Aug- 1987
“Gettin In”
“Since You Went Away”
While Tork was still in the Monkees, I was able to see him solo for the 1st time; here is the setlist (to the best of my memory):
20 Aug 1988 Saturday
@ “Old Vic” in Chicago, IL.
Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again
For Pete’s Sake
Milkshake
Pirates
Lucille
Don’t Be Cruel
All Shook Up
I Want You I Need You
Cripple Creek
I Truly Understand
Since You Went Away
Gettin In
MGBGT
Vagabond John
Blues In The Bottle
Witchy Mama
Foggy Foggy Dew
Bye, Bye Peggy
Tender Is
Sea Change
Higher and Higher
Miracle
You Get What you Pay For
Daydream Believer
I’m a Believer
>All Over Again: 1996<
Tork makes his 1st TV appearance after his 2nd stint in The Monkees on ‘What’s Up Dr. Ruth?’ in Feb 1990 and after a few years of being quiet, Tork appears in the TV show ‘California Dreams’ Episode #10 “Romancing The Tube” in Nov ’92. Tork then plays banjo on the song “Some Say” from James Lee Stanley’s 1993 CD ‘The Envoy’ then finally 5 years after Tork left The Monkees, for the 2nd time, he releases his 1st Solo CD & Cassette ‘Stranger Things Have Happened’, and appears on the “Geraldo Rivera Show” in Jul ’94. I did speak to Tork about taking so long to put out a Solo recording in Jun ’96, Tork; “Well, when the time is right, I mean it took me over 25 years to put out my 1st solo album, hopefully it won’t take me that long to put out my 2nd one” Note: it was 2 years later, he put out his next CD. Tork appears in 2 episodes of ‘Boy Meets World’ in 1995 “Career Day” & “Rave On” as well as ‘Wings’ the episode “She’s Gotta Have It”
‘Stranger Things Have Happened’ 1994 Beechwood
‘Two Man Band’ 1996 Beechwood (w/ James Lee Stanley)
The 2nd time I saw Tork solo was with James Lee Stanley in Rockford, Ill. in 20 Jan 1996 Sat. Tork becomes a member of The Monkees from 1996 to 1997 for the 30th Anniversary of all 4 The Monkees, together again for the 1st time since Dec ’68, a TV Special was released & a UK Tour of 9 concerts & a CD; Tork’s song’s listed:
‘Justus’ Oct- 1996 (The Monkees)
“Run Away From Life”
“I Believe You”
>Here They Are Again: 2000<
Tork continues his TV appearances on ‘7th Heaven’ in 2 episodes “No Sex Some Drugs & A Little Rock N Roll” in 1998 & “One Hundred” in 2001. In Jan 1999 Tork makes an appearance on the TV show ‘King Of Queens’ in the episode “Best Man” later this year, Tork forms ‘Shoe Suede Blues’ and tours extensively, and returns as a member of The Monkees from 2000 to 2001, 2 CDs & 1 DVD are released from this tour: :
‘2001: Live In Las Vegas’ Mar- 2001 (The Monkees)
“Your Auntie Grizelda”
“Lucille”
“Higher And Higher”
Bach: 2 Part Invention in F
‘Live 2001: Extended Versions’ – Nov- 2003 (The Monkees)
“Can You Dig It”
“Long Title”
In Jun 2006 Tork makes his 6th Film appearance in “Cathedral Pines” as “Mr. Geary” and then After this 4th round with The Monkees, Tork kicks his recording output in gear, releasing:
‘Once Again’ 2001 Beechwood (w/ James Lee Stanley)
‘Saved By The Blues’ 2003 Beechwood (w/ Show Suede Blues)
‘Beechwood Christmas’ 2003 Beechwood (2 songs)
‘Live & Backstage’ 2006 Beechwood (w/ James Lee Stanley)
‘Cambria Hotel’ 2007 SSB (w/ Show Suede Blues)
>Will He Ever Escape: 2011<
In 2011 Tork returns to The Monkees for a 5th & final time until 2017, releasing a 50th Anniversary album; Tork’s songs listed:
‘Good Times’ May 2016 (The Monkees)
“Little Girl”
“Wasn’t Born To Follow”
Followed by 2 more solo CDs:
‘Step By Step’ 2013 SSB (w/ Show Suede Blues)
‘Relax Your Mind’ 2018 SSB (w/ Show Suede Blues)
The last Tork Solo show I was able to catch was in Nov 2003 in Owatonna MN. I was able to speak with him after the show; I asked him, “Why don’t you put a “Folk CD” now the time is right, with the popularity of “Oh, Brother Where Art Thou” the buying public would love to hear songs like “Cuckoo” perhaps for the 1st time ever”. Tork; “I don’t know I hadn’t thought about it” Note: on Tork’s next CD ‘Live & Backstage’ the song “Cuckoo” was finally recorded & released by Tork. We discussed “AA” myself, being in “AA” for 16 year at that time, I did not go to meetings. Tork; “Oh, you should go, it’s wonderful, it’s what church should be like, I go as often as I can, especially because of the field I am in”
There you have it fans, the “Quiet Monkee” be sure to catch my weekly Radio Show Sunday’s 10:30am on WDGY: 740am & Streaming & 92.1fm, 103.7 fm, 107.1fm, and you can catch past Episodes @ www.MrZeroS.Com / Podcast: link, as I will be doing a “Peter Tork Show” in the next few weeks.
Catch you next time … MrZerr0
Mr. Zero’s *Est. 2009
1744 Lexington Ave. N.
Roseville, MN. 55113
Classic Music, Retro Toys, Vintage Video Games & Movies too ….
—
> Richard @
Mr. Zero’s Inc. *Est. 2009
http://www.mrzeros.com
1744 Lexington Ave N
Roseville, MN. 55113
651. 489. 0207
MrZerr0 & Peter Tork
Rockford, Ill.
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