Biography for
Peter Tork More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

13 February 1942, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Birth Name

Peter Halsten Thorkelson

Height

5' 9" (1.75 m)

Mini Biography

Performed as a folk musician in Greenwich Village and Los Angeles before being selected for the Monkees TV show. Made 58 TV episodes 6 albums, a TV special, and a movie before leaving the Monkees in 196 Released a solo single in 1982. Rejoined the Monkees for tours and an from 1986 to 1989. Released his first solo album, "Stranger Things Have Happened", in 1994

IMDb Mini Biography By: Michael J. Bauman

Spouse

Barbara Iannoli	(January 1975 - 1987) 1 child
Reine Stewert	(24 December 1973 - 1974) 1 child
Jody Babb	(June 1960 - September 1960)

Trivia

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.

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 Erica Marie (b. 15 June 1997) by an unknown girlfriend)

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).

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.

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 include several rarely-heard Tork songs and vocals).

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.

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."

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.

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.

The Monkees were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6675 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

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].

Personal Quotes

"You should be a hero to yourself. And if you're not... check it out."

"The longest I've ever gone without playing [guitar] is two or three days. It keeps me going."

[late 1960s] "I don't believe in 'My country right or wrong'. My country wrong needs my help."

Salary

"The Monkees" (1966)

$450/episode

Where Are They Now

He has been touring small venues with musician/singer James Lee Stanley since early 1996.

(2001) Beginning in April 2001, he joined Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones for the Monkees 35 Aniversary Reunion.

(2001) Resigned from the Monkees tour in 2001. Played his last Monkees concert on August 31, 2001.

(2004) 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.

(2001) Beginning in April 2001, he joined Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones for the Monkees 35 Aniversary Reunion.

(2005) Guest appearances with Jeff Pitchell & The Texas Flood, continues to tour with Shoe Suede Blues, joined by Aura3 on dates beginning August 2005.

(February 2007) 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.

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