Asking for good vibes for ex-Monkee Peter Tork

[Autumn Colors]

Anyone who knows anything about The Monkees beyond just watching the TV show knows that Peter Tork is a true progressive. He writes an "advice" column for thedailypanic.com and I put "advice" in quotes because he answers questions on just about everything: love, addiction, music, The Monkees, etc. People have asked for his opinion about various things and he doesn't hesitate to toss in his political views, which would seem to put him on the far left end of the DU spectrum.

He was one of the two real musicians in The Monkees and I've seen him play at their reunion shows and his own shows and he really is a good musician and a great entertainer (the rapport with the audience is almost as entertaining as the music itself).

The following press release was posted on his website on March 3, 2008. I'm posting it in its entirety. Please send out good vibes for a speedy recovery. Hopefully, he'll be back on the stage he loves so much very soon.
----------------------
March 3 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Therra Cathryn Gwyn
GwynCo Arts
[e-mail]
205.441.5000

1960's POP STAR FORMER MONKEE PETER TORK ANNOUNCES HE HAS CANCER

Peter Tork, former member of the hugely popular 60's pop group The Monkees and current bandleader of blues-rock band Shoe Suede Blues announced Tuesday that he has recently been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. This uncommon and generally slow-growing form of head and neck cancer is most frequently found in the salivary glands but in his case was discovered on the lower region of the tongue.

"It's a bad news, good news situation," explains Tork, "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."

Tork, 67, will undergo extensive surgery Weds. March 4th in New York and doctors will follow with a round of radiation treatment. Preliminary findings from a biopsy show that the cancer has not spread beyond the initial site.

Peter's four-decade long career in the public eye started with the charming high energy made-for-TV band The Monkees and continues as the Emmy-winning television show from 1966-68 still shows in syndication around the world. The group has staged several highly successful reunion tours with three of the original members, Tork, Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones,fondly known by longtime fans as the "3kees".

In 1986 with the help of MTV and an enthusiastic blend of old and new fans their 20th Anniversary Tour was a massive success, spawning a new Greatest Hits collection, a brand new hit song, "That Was Then This Is Now", a popular video and a star for the band on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Following that comeback were several successful world tours, including one short-lived reunion with the often elusive Michael Nesmith. All of the Monkees have pursued solo projects in between group tours and appearances. In addition to his television and personal appearance schedule Tork has taken up his pen as an advice columnist in "Ask Peter Tork" at webzine The Daily Panic (www.thedailypanic.com) and continued to tour Europe and the United States as a solo act and with Shoe Suede Blues, with whom he has also recorded two CDs, "Saved By The Blues" and "Cambria Hotel".

Peter remains cheerful about his condition and hopeful abut the future.

"I am extraordinarily grateful, amazed and humbled by the encouragement, affection and support I've received so far," Peter says of the reaction from friends and family to the news of his illness. "Barring any complications, I fully expect to honor a performance date I have this June with Shoe Suede Blues, "Tork states, "We're appearing in Manchester, Connecticut and I'm looking forward to that and all our tour dates."

As for touring with his Monkee cohorts again? "Well, never say never, "Tork smiles.

Peter Tork online:
Facebook for updates: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1435816993
MySpace for tour dates: http://www.myspace.com/petertorkandshoesuedeblues
www.petertork.com
www.shoesuedeblues.com
www.thedailypanic.com

For information on Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma:
http://www.rare-cancer.org/adenoid-cystic-carcinoma/faq.html#work

EDIT: To add links to his official Facebook and MySpace pages.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Good vibes sent his way

Wishing him all the best.

[hlthe2b]

2. Definitely....

All the very best, Peter!

[bdamomma]

3. I was a fan of the Monkees, I used to sit in front of my TV

in love with all of them. I am sending him get well vibes.

[Stellabella]

54. Me too - it's hard to believe I was only 8 years old at the time.

I look at my 8-year-old nephew and marvel at how young that is.

Get well, Peter!

[Art_from_Ark]

56. I always thought the Monkees were silly

but I always watched them anyway. :crazy:

By the way, which one was Peter? It seemed like in the opening credits, EVERYONE was Peter!

[stlsaxman]

65. Peter was the blond bass player. straight hair...

[flygal]

63. Me too

I remember when MTV started showing them in the 80's. Their songs are timeless. Last Train to Clarksville is my fav.

[RockaFowler]

4. Good Vibes As Well

I remember the 1986 reunion concert. My Mom took me and my sister and we just loved them. They could still play back then (Mickey & Davey were still good singers and Peter could still play the guitar with eases).

[KayLaw]

5. He wrote me a letter once.

When I was in middle school I was classmates with a girl who was related to him and she sent him my mushy letter. He wrote back and gently told me to work hard and school and get a good education. Sweet guy.

[Chorophyll]

67. Aw! Very sweet guy indeed. nt

[lostnotforgotten]

6. I Grew Up Watching The Monkees - Tribute Video Below The Fold

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfuBREMXxts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG34bDwJcVc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp7ZkpkWIZA

[pipi_k]

17. Me too. I never missed an episode of their show...

And I was all thrilled when they came out with a song named after ME.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el35E9gIVlU


:loveya:

[keroro gunsou]

41. your name is

auntie grizelda? :D

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

43. I have the same name, but spelled differently.

I saw the Monkees (minus Mike) in 1996 in VA Beach and went nuts when they played that song!

[Birdiesmom]

7. All the best, Peter...

You are a genuinely nice guy, and were a major part of my childhood. God bless you.:yourock:

[Solly Mack]

8. K&R

[onenote]

9. best of wishes for Peter

[carlyhippy]

10. K&R

[naturallyselected]

11. All the best, Peter

For those of us there at the beginning (or almost the beginning - I bought my first Beatles record at 10, and bought the first Monkees album on the day of its release), it seems like these announcements come on almost a daily basis. To see all these folks that I see as forever young falling prey to the illnesses of .... mature age, it's like looking in the mirror and being reminded of our mortality. At the same time, it's very rewarding to see so many of them still making music, and realizing that creativity doesn't have to fade with time.

Hoping Peter is with us for a long time to come.

[Kahuna]

12. My favorite Monkee! Get well Peter..

:cry:

[Autumn Colors]

71. Mine, too. (nt)

[DangerousRhythm]

13. Oh no! My favorite Monkee as well.

Sending the good vibes... :loveya:

[1776Forever]

14. Loved the Monkees! What fun times they gave us! Wishing Peter the best!

From Pop-Cult.com site:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http://www.tv.pop-cult.com/monkees.html&usg=__31h8uHyFV_nsHBK-uMaj84fPtSw=&h=376&w=300&sz=34&hl=en&start=19&sig2=jVq8yl-6brkIvFXipcg9dg&um=1&tbnid=H5qmur1dC24OEM:&tbnh=122&tbnw=97&ei=9dyvSf7aI5XlmQeIl6jjBQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3DMonkee%2BPeter%2BTork%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1B3GGIC_en___US312%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

The Monkees

On the 8th of September, 1965, an advertisement was run in The Daily Variety in Los Angeles which read: 'Madness!! Auditions. Folk & Roll Musicians-Singers for acting roles in new TV series. Running Parts for 4 insane boys, age 17-21. Want spirited Ben Frank's-types. Have courage to work. Must come down for interview.' 437 young hopefuls auditioned and the final four who were chosen became The Monkees.

[RT Atlanta]

15. He helped Hendrix get a start (opened for the Monkees)

Anyone who helped Jimi out is a friend of mine. Good vibes and thoughts and prayers are being lifted!

[BobTheSubgenius]

61. YEAH!

That was a tour, WAY back when, that hit Vancouver, where I lived at the time. The Monkees and Hendrix. Who'd athunk it?

[pipi_k]

16. I was afraid to click on the link to this thread, wondering which one

needed good vibes.

I used to love them all (although Davey was my favorite).


anyway, what Peter has sounds similar to what my second husband had. He died in quite a bit of pain back in 1987. It was not pretty. :(

I hope the treatment options are better now than they were 22 years ago.

Hoping for a speedy recovery for Peter

[LibertyLover]

18. Good vibes being sent

Micky Dolenz was my favorite Monkee, but Peter was cool too.

[City Lights]

19. Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery, Peter. nt

[Senator]

20. K&R

[QueenOfCalifornia]

21. Best to you Peter

I do hope you will be okay. :toast:

[Whoa_Nelly]

22. Peter!

I wore my belt to the side in the '60s because of you.

I wear my belt to the side today for you.

:hug: :hug: :hug:


The Monkees Sing Along!
http://www.monkees.net/singal.htm

[avaistheone1]

23. Wishing Peter a full and complete recovery.

Thanks for the happy songs and entertainment of my youth.

[Taverner]

24. Good vibes and I'm glad its not Pancreatic Cancer

[librechik]

25. Blessings--Peter was always my favorite!

:toast: to a quick recovery

[otohara]

26. I Saw The Monkees in 1966

when I was 13 - they weren't my first concert however - Herman's Hermits were.

Love and good wishes to Peter Tork

[Royal Sloan 09]

27. Best wishes for fast recovery , eom

[me b zola]

28. Be well, Peter

:hug:

[roguevalley]

29. oh crap. this is awful. I remember once someone said he had died

already. must have read the thing wrong. said he had been a teacher in chicago and had died.

RV --> :crazy:

[Autumn Colors]

30. I don't think he's ever lived in Chicago

He did work as a teacher in the Los Angeles area around the mid or late 1970s, I think.

[roguevalley]

69. probably a mix up with another memory. God bless him.

[omega minimo]

31. for all the Good Vibes the Monkees provide/d (((((((((((((( Peter ))))))))))))))

:yourock: :grouphug:

[On the Road]

32. I Saw Tork in Greenbelt MD in 2002

with Shoe Suede Blues. Got a great audience response. Forgot how much I liked Daydream Believer.

[GreenPartyVoter]

33. *healing vibes going out*

[onethatcares]

34. the best vibes I can send out are on their way.

Several years ago, my dad was(and is still) working as the clean up guy at a municipal building in PA. Peter Tork was there for a concert or kids party or something and after it was over my dad asked if he could call my niece and she could meet him. To make a long story short, he stayed for over an hour chatting with her, and for a 15ish girl that was a fan, it was the best thing ever. She still talks about that day, and how great Peter was. She also thinks my dad is great too.

[MorningGlow]

35. Ohhhh

Sending white light for Peter. I was a fool for Davy, but Peter was this little girl's "second favorite." When I got mad at Davy for kissing Marsha on the cheek, Peter got bumped up to the No. 1 spot for a while!
:rofl:

:loveya: Monkees :loveya:
:loveya: Peter :loveya: Be well.

[Kind of Blue]

36. Peter Tork certainly has my all of my good vibes

for a quick recovery. There was no crush for me but my sister was a Davy Jones freak :rofl: and drove me crazy with her love. But I loved their music so much. Thanks for the alert, Autumn Colors.

[tbyg52]

37. Very best wishes!

Glad to hear what he is doing nowadays, as well - he was my favorite Monkee way back when.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

38. Best wishes, Peter

This a sad day for some of our favorite entertainers. :(

[Raine]

39. Positive thoughts

sent his way ... wishing him the best in battling this disease.

[Whoa_Nelly]

40. Just sent Peter an invite to read all the love and support here.

DU. Good people. :hug:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

42. I love the Monkees, and wish Peter only the best. Get well soon, Peter!

[Faygo Kid]

44. Add my name to the "get well" list. Wow. Robin Williams, and now this.

I was "too cool" for the Monkees, but my younger brother loved them. Now, if a song ever comes on the radio, it gets cranked up.

Another time, another place. All the best, Peter.

[proud2BlibKansan]

45. Peter is 67?

Damn I feel old.

I loved the Monkees. Davey was my favorite.

Best wishes to Peter.

[davsand]

46. May the recovery be swift and without pain.

Brightest Blessings to you, Peter. I hope you feel well again very soon.

You guys were MY Saturday morning!



Laura

[proud patriot]

47. Sending strength

hope it goes well

[Tuesday Afternoon]

48. Vibes and best wishes for you, Peter Tork

~ :hug: ~

[Triana]

49. Sending Peter best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery! n/t

[Alcibiades]

50. Best wishes

for a speedy recovery.

[bridgit]

51. Standby for TorkVibe transmission in 4,3,2,1: beep! ~~~~~~~Vvvv-iiibes!!~~~~~~~

[SpookyCat]

52. Good vibes indeed!

Thanks for letting us know. I LOVED the Monkees, although I came to them in reruns in the '70s.

I remember they were on at 4 pm here in the summer, and my sis and I would rush home to watch it.

And we used to go down the middle of the street with our friends doing the Monkee Walk...AH! I haven't thought about that in a long time.

I wish him well. I lost track of them after my love affair with the Beatles began, but they always have a warm place in my heart.

:hug:

[FredStembottom]

53. Count me in.

Really enjoyed the Monkees as a kid and have always felt that they were one of those better-than-they-needed-to-be phenoma.

Go, Peter! You can overcome this!:hi:

[FloridaJudy]

55. I'm a Believer!

Healing vibes going out. Make a speedy and complete recovery, Peter!

[Norrin Radd]

57. Fuck off, cancer! Get better, Peter Tork.

[orleans]

58. wishing him all the best. n/t

[zalinda]

59. I loved the Monkees

I still watch them to this day. And Peter was always my favorite, there seemed to be a sweetness about him that just made me melt. I'm glad that he is the sweet guy that I had dreamed about.

All the best wishes to him, for a speedy recovery.

zalinda

[JackInGreen]

60. Peter...

I saw him live, oh, 8 years ago or so at the Filmore. He, Davey, and Mickey. Lots of jokes, he's blues set STOLE the show (outside of mickeys drug jokes, but I'm a stony cat). I've recently been diagnosed with cancer myself, pussy in comparison, but none the less. We're WITH YOU PETER, WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK AND LOVE YOU MAN!

[KT2000]

62. Best wishes

for successful treatment and a quick recovery!

[EverHopeful]

64. Good vibes & best wishes

The first concert I ever went to was a Monkees concert--with my Dad & some friends. It reminds me what a great guy my dad was, taking a bunch of giddy little girls to see a group he couldn't stand--and listening to us sing off key the whole way there and back--fond memories--my thanks go out to Peter--will be holding him in a vision of healing light.

[Chorophyll]

66. Sending vibes to Peter. nt

[Bluenorthwest]

68. Mr Dobolina, Mr. Bob Dobolina

Here's to Peter, all the best...

[Autumn Colors]

70. Haha .... Zilch (nt)

[devilgrrl]

72. Good vibes being sent now.

I know a few person who've met him, I hear he's way good people.