Peter Tork Goes Back To School
Former Monkee's Triumphant First Performance Since Cancer Diagnosis
May 29th was a day to remember in Storrs, CT as people gathered to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of E.O. Smith High School. Former Monkee Peter Tork, a member of the class of 1959, joined his fellow alumni for a special battle of the bands evening in the school’s gym.
For Tork it was also a celebration of a more personal kind-his first performance since undergoing extensive surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his tongue. The 67 year old was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, a rare form of head and neck cancer, in March. Last night’s performance with his band, Shoe Suede Blues, was Tork’s triumphant return after months of recovery.
The show began with Tork stepping out on stage before a small but enthusiastic crowd of family, friends, fellow alumni, and fans. He sighed, eliciting a rousing chorus of cheers and applause. After a moment of what looked like sincere emotion, he grinned. “You know you’re a real star,” he said, “when a sigh gets you a round of applause!” Laughter ensued, and then the music began.
A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit Blues..
Tork and his band, along with special guest Lauren Ellis, wowed the crowd. Tork moved effortlessly from classic Monkees tunes like “I’m a Believer” and “Daydream Believer” to the Muddy Waters classic “Long Distance Phone Call” and “Saved By The Blues” from the band’s CD of the same name. All along he had the audience in the palm of his hand.
They sang along to “Daydream Believer” (and Davy, you couldn’t have topped last night’s performance if you tried!), and grooved to the band’s smoky, sexy version of “Last Train to Clarksville”. In between songs Tork entertained with the witty and slightly self-deprecating humor his fans have come to love. When introducing the band’s final song, the punk tinged “Not Your Stepping Stone”, Tork referenced the Monkees as the “boy band” whose original version was “thin” to avoid offending “your mother...or your grandmother, depending how old you are!”
He then praised the Sex Pistols’ version and launched into a hard rocking, angry version that you know The Monkees wished they had done! At one point, a lucky fan was invited up on stage to join in on vocals and tambourine. He was jokingly identified as “Davy Jones”. Tork’s brother Nick also joined him on stage for a moment, taking over keyboard duties, but the night clearly belonged to Peter. He rocked on guitar and sizzled on keyboards, broke out a few dance moves and seemed to just let himself go and really get into the music and enjoy being back on stage.
They Were Believers!
While his voice was somewhat affected by the surgery, his singing was rich, clear and as endearing as ever. The changes, though noticeable, were not negative. One fan commented that he sounded younger, and he was still able to hit those bluesy notes and wow the audience. After the show he was surrounded by friends, family and fans, happily signing autographs and posing for pictures.
It was clear the night meant the world to him, and to everyone there who has followed his cancer journey and offered support and prayers. To borrow the title of one of his long ago solo efforts, “Peter’s Back!” and if last night is any indication, he hasn’t missed a beat. In a note on his Facebook page about his upcoming radiation treatments, he joked that he would be radiant, and last night, he certainly was!
Tork will begin a 6 week course of radiation on June 8th but has vowed not to let it keep him off the stage. For Shoe Suede Blues’ summer tour dates and information how how you can help raise money for ACC research, check out PeterTork.com.
Peter Tork, May 29, 2009
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Peter Tork and SSB, May 29th, 2009
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