The Monkees’ Peter Tork Dead At 77

Stereogum ^ | February 21, 2019 | Tom Breihan

[Ammo Republic 15]

1960’s TV shows were great...even the dumb sh*t like Gilligan’s Island was still better than 95% of most TV shows today.

[Bullish]

They certainly had the best songwriters and musicians working for them.

Yeah, many people don't realize the actors playing the Monkees had very little to do with the music and it's one of the main reasons they canceled the show. They hated not having any creative control especially Nesmith and Torqe. Don Kirshner wanted them to perform his prefabbed song by studio musicians called "Sugar Sugar". That was the breaking point for Nesmith. He wanted nothing to do with that bubble gum song and had a fit on set.

"Sugar Sugar" Became a big hit using Kirshner's new show. It was the band The Archies if I remember correctly and it was debuted on Kirshner's Saturday cartoon show, I forget what that was called.

There's a good little documentary on YouTube that covers the whole Monkees vs Don Kirshner fiasco.

[littleharbour]

[VanDeKoik]

Bewitched, Batman, Flipper, Gentle Ben, Laugh-In and on and on.

Even in the late 80s and early 90s they were just a normal part of everyday TV. Perfectly watchable. They just had this thing about them that made them so unique.

Sadly not easy to find outside of maybe two dedicated cable channels and DVD sets these days.

[beelzepug]

“Making me feel old”

I was doing my AIT at Ft. Eustis, Va. when “Last Train To Clarksville” came out. I can remember thinking I’d gladly take the last train to anywhere to get out of where I was was.

[sphinx]

My 16 year old daughter likes the Monkees. Not her favorite group by any means, but she enjoys their tunes when they drift by. She has also discovered the Beatles and considers herself daringly retro.

[vetvetdoug]

Back in the 1980’s I sent Mickey Dolenz a note saying that they should record “Sugar, Sugar” and release it as the Monkees to tweak Don Kirshner’s memory. I believe it would have hit again with the Monkees. The Monkees were one of my likes as I was a Kingston Trio fan and their recording of “Daydream Believer” was epic.

[Nifster]

Memories

[murron]

I loved I’m a Believer, even though it was a Neil Diamond hit.

[peggybac]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JthZskazxKo

[foreverfree]

bump

[foreverfree]

The Monkees, the Mamas and Papas, and TV's "Batman" all came on the scene in the same year (1966) and effectively (or absolutely in the case of "Batman") left the scene in the same year (1968). Three entertainment phenomena producing quite a coincidence. RIP Peter. Say hi to Davy Jones and Don Kirshner for us.

ff

[Impala64ssa]

"Sugar Sugar" Became a big hit using Kirshner's new show. It was the band The Archies
Yeah but Wilson Pickett did an excellent cover of this song. It really was meant to be sung by a Black man.

[Ammo Republic 15]

I had never seen your screen name so I checked out your homepage...WOW! Bay Buchanan was your boss! I supported Pat in his two (or was it three) Presidential elections full steam ahead...signs, bumperstickers and donations. I can’t help but think this country would be quite different had he won.

Oh, and thanks for the Monkee youtube...had never seen that.

[peggybac]

Bay was awesome. The PAC she was in charge of was founded by Reagan but I got on board at the end of his term so I wasn’t around long. From Bay and Reagan to the entertainment business - from light to dark. What a contrast!