- 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.
- When Stephen Stills was turned down by The Monkees (1965) 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.
- 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 included several rarely-heard Tork songs and vocals.
- 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.
- He has been touring small venues with musician/singer James Lee Stanley since early 1996.
- 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.
- Was diagnosed with a rare form of head and neck cancer and underwent surgery to remove a growth on his tongue [March 5, 2009]. He made a full recovery.
- The Monkees were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6675 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
- 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. (February 2007)
- Reunited with Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz in May 2011 for the Monkees' 45th Anniversary World Tour.
- Came up for the draft in the early 1960s, but was excused after appearing before his local draft board.
- His remains were cremated and his ashes were sprinkled into the Atlantic Ocean.
- Attended E.O. Smith High School in northeastern Connecticut. Another alumnus was Rivers Cuomo of Weezer.
- Played with his band Shoe Suede Blues, and Two Man Band, joined by the group Aura3 in 2004. Both acts toured all over the US.
- Has three grandchildren.
- 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 named Erica Marie (b. 15 June 1997) with Tammy Sustek.
- 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.
- Resigned from the Monkees' 2001 tour at the end of August, tired of squabbling with his bandmates, but rejoined them for later tours.
- He and Davy Jones toured Australia together in 1986, billed as the "Sound of the Monkees Australian Tour".
- 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."
- Declined an invitation to rejoin The Monkees for a McDonald's TV commercial, as he is a vegetarian. (Michael Nesmith also declined, believing they should have made a movie appearance instead.).
- Visited Mexico for an afternoon in the early 1970s. Was stopped at the border on returning; a small amount of hashish was found in his shirt pocket, and he served a brief jail sentence. His record was expunged after his release.
- Guest appearances with Jeff Pitchell & The Texas Flood, touring with Shoe Suede Blues, joined by Aura3 on dates beginning August 2005.
- Son of Virginia Hope (Straus) and Halsten John Thorkelson. His father was of about half Norwegian and half many-generation American descent, and Peter's mother was of half German Jewish and half Irish ancestry.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content