Former Monkee Peter Tork Battles Cancer
Member of Legendary Group Has Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
Mar 6, 2009
Peter Tork, known to millions as the bassist for the popular 60’s group the Monkees, announced on Tuesday that he’s been diagnosed with a rare head and neck cancer known as Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. ACC is most commonly found in the salivary glands, but in Tork’s case, it was found on his tongue as he explains on his website:
"It's a bad news, good news situation. It's so rare a combination (on the tongue) that there isn't a lot of experience among the medical community about this particular combination. On the other hand, the type of cancer it is, never mind the location, is somewhat well known, and the prognosis, I'm told, is good."
Tork Surgery Went Well
Tork was admitted to a New York City hospital Tuesday night and underwent surgery the following day. According to his Facebook page, he came through it well and is progressing nicely. A biopsy revealed that the cancer has not spread, lending another positive note to his prognosis. Following a recovery period he will begin a course of radiation after which he hopes to be back on his feet and on the road with his band, Shoe Suede Blues.
"Barring any complications, I fully expect to honor a performance date I have this June with Shoe Suede Blues", said Tork, "We're appearing in Manchester, Connecticut and I'm looking forward to that and all our tour dates."
Fans From Around the World Offer Outpouring of Support
The news of Tork’s illness spread quickly through out the Monkees fan community and the net, and they wasted no time in sending the now 67 year old actor and musician a flood of love, support and prayers. Monkees message boards as well Tork’s Facebook page were quickly inundated with notes from concerned fans.
Good wishes came in from as far away as Japan, and the Connecticut resident is grateful. In a message posted on his Facebook page he said he was "extraordinarily grateful, amazed and humbled by the encouragement, affection and support I've received so far."
Tork first rose to fame in 1966 when he was cast as the loveable, endearing, yet slightly dimwitted Monkee in the Emmy winning sitcom, “The Monkees”, a role that was completely unlike the well spoken, intellectual Tork. Based on “A Hard Days Night” the show was an attempt to cash in on the Beatles phenomenon.
Although at first they were not allowed to do much more than sing on their hit records, Tork, along with fellow Monkees Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Michael Nesmith, fought for and eventually won the right to play their own instruments. This was especially important to him and Nesmith, who were already accomplished musicians in their own right before joining the group. The show was wildly popular despite having only run for two seasons, and is still shown in reruns around the world.
Never Say Never
Tork left the group in 1969 and has continued his musical career through solo projects and several groups, including Two Man Band with pal James Lee Stanley, and his current band, Shoe Suede Blues. He joined the Monkees for their highly successful comeback in 1986, and again for reunions in 1996 and 2001. When asked if there were plans for yet another one to mark the group’s 45th anniversary Tork said “Never say never.”
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