(CBS News) — Peter Tork, the bassist of the legendary band The Monkees, has died, his bandmate said on Twitter. Tork was 77.
On Twitter, Monkees’ drummer Micky Dolenz wrote, “There are no words right now…heart broken over the loss of my Monkee brother, Peter Tork.”
A statement on Tork’s Facebook page announced his death and Tork’s sister, Anne Thorkelson, confirmed the musician and singer’s death to The Washington Post.
A statement on Tork’s Facebook page says in part, “It is with beyond-heavy and broken hearts that we share the devastating news that our friend, mentor, teacher and amazing soul, Peter Tork, has passed from this world.”
The Monkees, made up of Tork, Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Davy Jones made their debut on television in 1966. By 1967, they would outsell the Beatles, The Rolling Stones and their first four albums went to number one.
Their series ended after two seasons and the band members went their separate ways. The various band members reunited over the years to tour. They released a compilation album in 1986 when their fame was reignited by the TV show’s reruns on MTV. They later released the album “Justus” in 1996 which included Mike Nesmith, who had declined to reunite with the group until then.
Jones died in 2012.
To mark their 50th anniversary, Dolenz and Tork went out on tour.
Tork spoke with “CBS Sunday Morning” in 2016, explaining that he heard about auditions for The Monkees from his friend Stephen Stills, who had been passed over.
“So Stephen had to settle for Crosby Stills Nash & Young. He’s never forgiven me,” Tork said.
The band told Anthony Mason they bonded “instantly,” but Tork remained humble.
“There were no duds among us — except me,” Tork said. “But I wasn’t really a dud. I played one on television.”
View a photo gallery of Peter Tork and The Monkees on CBSNews.com.
