FAREWELL TO A FAVORITE
Former Monkee Peter Tork, who died Thursday, was popular visitor at Chan’s, other local venues
WOONSOCKET – The late Monkees bassist and singer Peter Tork was no stranger to the Blackstone Valley.
Tork, who died Thursday at the age of 77, played at least three shows at Chan’s Four Seasons Jazz Club on Main Street over the years, including once in 2008 with his band the Shoe Suede Blues, and then a year later for a fundraising show at Chan’s for the 2009 Milk Fund Appeal.
Another time, Tork drove to Chan’s from his home in Connecticut to see Roomful of Blues, which was performing a fundraising show for veterans, and he ended up on stage to play a few numbers.
In 2013, Tork was in the city once again to join James Montgomery and the Uptown Horns on the main stage during Woonsocket’s 125th Block Party.
His last performance in the Blackstone Valley was in November 2016 when he and Monkees drummer and singer Micky Dolenz played the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln.
Tork’s set at Chan’s in 2008 included the Monkees’ hits “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “Daydream Believer.”
“He loved the room and the audience,” said longtime restaurant owner John Chan. “He had such a great time here in Woonsocket he kept coming back.”
Tork’s cause of death wasn’t immediately known, but he was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, rare
cancer affecting his tongue, in 2009.
“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,” his Facebook account said. “We ask for your kindness and understanding in allowing us to grieve this huge loss privately.”
The made-for-TV pop group from the 1960s the Monkees debuted on NBC in
the fall of 1966 and were an immediate success both on TV and on the music charts. The group’s first single, “Last Train to Clarksville,” had become a number one hit a few weeks earlier.
Tork played a goofy, lovable character on the TV show, essentially becoming The Monkees equivalent of Ringo Starr in The Beatles.
The TV show was canceled after two seasons but lived on in re-runs. The Monkees carried on in different
incarnations over the years.
When their 45th anniversary rolled around in 2011, the trio of Tork, Dolenz and Davy Jones decided to re-form and headed out on an extensive tour of North America, according to AllMusic.com. It was to be their last set of performances with Jones, who passed away at the age of 66 in February of 2012.
Although often dismissed as the “Prefab Four,” because The Monkees were the creation of TV executives, Tork
and Michael Nesmith had solid performing and recording experience before joining the band, AllMusic.com reported. Dolenz and Jones were were primarily actors but had also dabbled in pop music and had strong vocal abilities.
“Peter was a sweet, nice guy, and maybe just a little eccentric,” Chan said. “Aside from being an accomplished musician, he was very comedic and entertaining and I think that’s why audiences responded so well to him.”
Tork had a lots of fans in the Blackstone Valley, none bigger than Jennifer Joli-
couer, owner of Athena’s Home Novelties in Woonsocket.
“One of my happiest moments in Athena’s history. That time Peter Tork from the Monkees came to an Athena’s meeting,” Jolicouer said on Facebook yesterday. “A year later we met again for dinner. He serenaded me from the stage at Chan’s and we had our picture on the cover of the newspaper. I loved him for so many reasons. He even signed a bra for the Athena’s Cup. Rest In Peace, Peter. Thank you for being gracious, funny and making my dream come true!”