Monkees Guitarist Peter Tork Dead at 77

Peter Tork, the bassist for The Monkees and a co-star on the band’s Emmy award winning 1966-68 TV sitcom of the same name, has died at age 77. Tork’s death was announced on his official Facebook page attributed to his friends, family and colleagues.

“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 post read. “As we have mentioned in the past, the PTFB team is made up of Peter’s friends, family and colleagues — we ask for your kindness and understanding in allowing us to grieve this huge loss privately.”

Added the post: “We want to thank each and every one of you for your love, dedication and support of our ‘boss.’ Having you in our world has meant so very much to all of us. Please know that Peter was extremely appreciative of you, his Torkees, and one of his deepest joys was to be out in front of you, playing his music, and seeing you enjoy what he had to share. We send blessings and thoughts of comfort to you all, with much gratitude.”

A cause of death was not revealed.

Tork played bass and keyboard for the Monkees, which featured musical hits including “I’m a Believer,” “Daydream Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday.” He left the band shortly after the release of the group’s 1968 movie, Head,” and went out on his own with a band called “Release.” Tork later worked as a high school teacher.

The Monkees member Davy Jones died in 2012, but the remaining band members reunited for reunion tours until 2016. Tork also recorded several solo albums, including “Step By Step” in 2013 and “Relax Your Mind,” which released last year.

MeTV will pay tribute to the career of Peter Tork with a presentation of “The Monkees” on the 5 p.m. ET hour this Sunday.