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Thu. 3:33 p.m.: Peter Tork, Monkees’ lovable bass-guitar player, dead at 77

This July 6, 1967 file photo shows, from left, Peter Tork, Mike Nesmith, David Jones and Micky Dolenz of the musical group The Monkees at a news conference at the Warwick Hotel in New York. Tork, who rocketed to teen idol fame in 1965 playing the lovably clueless bass guitarist in the made-for-television rock band died this morning of complications related to cancer, according to his son Ivan Iannoli. He was 77. (AP Photo/Ray Howard, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Peter Tork, who rose to teen-idol fame in 1966 playing the lovably clueless bass guitarist in the made-for-television rock band The Monkees, has died.

He was 77.

Tork’s death was announced this morning on his official Facebook page: “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. 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.”

The accomplished multi-instrumentalist was performing in Los Angeles clubs when he learned of a casting call for “four insane boys,” who would star in a TV show about a struggling rock band.

He, Dolenz, David Jones and Michael Nesmith became overnight sensations when the show took off in 1966. Among their chart-topping hits were “I’m a Believer,” “Daydream Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville” and “Steppin’ Stone.”

In a tweet today, Dolenz wrote, “There are no words right now…heart broken over the loss of my Monkee brother, Peter Tork.”

Nesmith posted on Facebook: “Our hearts are completely broken. Rest well, Peter Tork. Thank you for always, always being you xo”

Tork left the group in 1968 amid creative differences but reunited for tours with the others every few years. His last was in 2016.

Tork also recorded blues and folk music and made several TV appearances.

His son Ivan Iannoli, said that Tork died of complications related to cancer. In 2009, Tork wrote for the Washington Post about being diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma in his tongue.

“I don’t count myself as being afraid to die, but the news hit me like a fist to the chest,” Tork wrote.

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