The Monkees' Peter Tork Talks About Touring With Jimi Hendrix | Letterman

[@davidellis5141]

I took a sociology course from Peter Tork. He was a good teacher.

[@donaldbutcher1260]

I can only hope that he got wise to scientology before he died.

[@quad1000]

@@donaldbutcher1260 ???

[@quad1000]

I think that would've been facinating, if only to see the guy teach.

[@mattw4496]

I didn't know he taught psychology, too. At which school?

[@michaelcohen7343]

Oh yeah? David Bowie taught me algebra!! I’m totally joking that’s actually really cool!

[@dongiller]

Fun fact: Steve O’Donnell portrayed the waiter; it was his first on-camera appearance on the show, having begun working as a Late Night writer on June 1, 1982. He would become the show’s Head Writer by the Fall of 1983 until the summer of 1992, overseeing perhaps the most creative era in Late Night’s history.

[@dongiller]

@@KokoTheGorilla69 Only in my mirror.

[@shermanium7834]

thanks for all the work Don!

[@davebushmediadesign]

Thanks again, Don.

[@patriciamorgan6545]

I'd like to know whether any of these ladies were actually audience members. (You're secret's safe with us!😉) And, by the way, what a good sport Peter was. I have a soft spot for the Monkees, and Peter was my favorite.

[@dongiller]

@@patriciamorgan6545 At the show open? They all were.

[@ErikPortland]

Dave genuinely cared. You can really tell here. He's helping out Peter a lot.

[@mr.c8033]

I think you're right.

[@rockturtleneck]

In 1988, my girlfriend at the time and I were driving in CT back to UConn, where we were both seniors. We pulled out of a toll booth (remember those?) and noticed a car to our left, I think it was an old Porsche 911, with the license plate MONKEE. We pulled up next to the car and Peter Tork was behind the wheel and he waved to us. His father was a professor at UConn at the time so he used to go up that way a lot.

[@presto709]

He massively undersells their contribution to the Monkees even on their first two albums where they didn't play. Their voices, especially Micky's were amazing and distinctive. Many well-respected performers are known only for their voices. In the end, they also contributed songwriting. Peter co-wrote, For Pete's Sake, the song that was played at the end of the show. for the second season, Michael Nesmith wrote some of my favorite Monkees songs. (He also wrote Linda Ronstadt's first hit).

[@bobdavis4848]

Nice comment, except it was just the 2nd season that used "For Pete's Sake" during the outro, and you misspelled Micky and Ronstadt.

[@presto709]

@@bobdavis4848 Corrections made. Thanks.

[@bobdavis4848]

@@presto709 You’re welcome. Your correction includes “Pet’s” instead of “Pete’s.” Your Don McLean video (that disallows comments) has a title that says “America” instead of “American” and description that twice says “Mclean” instead of “McLean.” (I know of someone on KZbin who write it “McClean” and wouldn’t correct it.) Thank you, have a nice day and “Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.”

[@doorswhofan]

Amazing that Peter's appearance here was already a form of nostalgia in 1982...and that was 41 years ago now. Even the show itself ended 8 years ago.

[@johncornell3665]

You just dont get entertained like this anymore. So many memories. Thanks Dave!

[@Mozart12201]

Sure you do, you are just older and the comedy isn't meant for you.

[@dianewinters8628]

It would have been fun to hear Peter play a song or two of his own music.

[@JackRussell021]

My Dad knew Peter Tork's parents back when they were in college, and continued this friendship after graduation. Dad used to have stories about having babysat Peter.

[@billme372]

When I was a kid in the late 1950s, Peter was our babysitter. He was an exciting babysitter. My father was a professor in the Art department at UConn.

[@johngalush8790]

​@@billme372Oh yeah? Well... my dad was in prison!

[@PerrincinaSprecaci]

I just had a Monkees marathon this weekend 🐵 My favorite thing when I was a kid was running home from school to watch my Monkees reruns and listen to their albums. Some of the greatest songs from the 60's. ❤

[@HomeAtLast501]

Just think --- if you were a kid today you could listen to their music on your iPhone on the bus to school, between classes, during recess, and on the ride home.

[@jgunther3398]

i was in about 6th grade most of the girls were in love with the monkees

[@mem1701movies]

I used to watch them before church when I was a kid. THE MONKEES BATMAN LOST IN SPACE. Now they just seem gay.

[@LucyLennon20]

Peter was my "favorite " Monkee back when. We watch The Monkees tv show each week now on AXSTV 👏 Rest your Soul in Peace Peter your spirit lives on 🌻 🎶

[@sheridaducky-xk6lx]

Do you have to have a subscription to axstv to watch. I have the app on my phone but don't understand how to watch it

[@josephblue4135]

He was my favorite also. I'm 70 & saw them from the beginning.

[@LucyLennon20]

​​@@sheridaducky-xk6lx Axstv is a regular cable tv channel for ppl that have and pay for cable. I guess with the App. you could use that magnifying glass symbol to look for The Monkees Tv show.

[@LucyLennon20]

​@@josephblue4135do ya have The Monkees "box-set" of dvds.

[@LucyLennon20]

​@@josephblue4135 Do you have The Monkees box-set of dvds?

[@patton303]

Looking at that Late Night set just takes me right back to studying in my cramped dorm room at 1am. Lol.

[@dianewinters8628]

I have a feeling all the envelopes had Esther's name in them.

[@sheridaducky-xk6lx]

That's exactly what I thought

[@tomm3950]

that's probably illegal unless the other women were in on it

[@scotsman6712]

It's always politics! Esther had connections.she comes off as a mob guys doll

[@dianewinters8628]

@@scotsman6712 🤪

[@quasidiem99]

Peter looks like Martin Short's taller, Elvish brother.

[@MothGirl007]

Totally.

[@craigwatts1448]

Dont let Martin hear you say that ... buahhah u called it. i would have gone with akward half-elf its the aging full elf would have not aged at all at hat point.

[@mr.c8033]

😄😄😄😄 So spot-on.

[@MelindaMelinda-y1j]

True!

[@oceanbnd]

Peter was such a good sport here. It’s no wonder the Monkees were a hit, just 4 good guys.

[@nlmnyc]

I don’t usually watch these old videos and make skiing comments. But I think Peter was pretty on the slopes 😉 in this interview. Its 1982, the timing checks out. Everyone in California was sooo strung out during this post-disco era. NYC too.

[@fredmossberg2069]

Nick Mullins, Bingo. And that's no offense to Pete. He is wired.

[@gregoriopalofuego9808]

"On the slopes." Very, very funny. Yeah, we sure had fun back in the '80's. "Got a bump?" ⛷️

[@dwartfarquart9590]

Wow, Larry-Bud Mehlman and Peter Tork. Awesome.

[@ScarlettFire341]

I went to see the Monkee's 7/22/67 at Boston Garden ! Hendrix quit by then but we had no clue he was on the tour - it was my 50 year old aunt an 4 - 11 year old boys cousins - she was horrified - was really nice she did that though- thx Auntie Connie ! Setlist Last Train to Clarksville You Just May Be the One The Girl I Knew Somewhere I Wanna Be Free Sunny Girlfriend Your Auntie Grizelda Forget That Girl Sweet Young Thing Mary, Mary Cripple Creek You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover Gonna Build a Mountain I've Got a Woman I'm a Believer Randy Scouse Git I'm Not Your Stepping Stone

[@axlesuave6339]

I love the way his haircut makes it look like he has elf ears.

[@attila7092]

I was going to say Mr Spock but elf works too

[@robtoc]

I never realized how much Peter Tork looks and sort of has the same mannerisms as Martin Short!? Yes? No?

[@richieboy6825]

Totally thought the same thing. A little eerie even…

[@rockradstone]

YES.

[@ErikPortland]

I didn't realize how short he was but Dave is 6'2". Peter is really honest here though.

[@johnheart6890]

He is a good sport! I say God bless him!

[@johnwright291]

I have a very vivid memory of a news paper advertisement in my home town of auburn Washington in around 1965 there was an ad for peter tork and his band who were playing there. This was pre monkeys of course. I was born in 1956

[@spockboy]

13:24 The HENDRIX part.

[@seanmetro3496]

Thanks

[@teagiagiteakarotu7027]

😢thks

[@admtech69]

9:30 Mike Nesmith was probably at home counting his "Liquid Paper" money...

[@chriscoughlin9289]

Yeah - when he wasn't busy essentially inventing MTV, the guy was a shameless layabout.

[@TimmehJay]

My dad once flew on an airplane with the Monkees. It's one of my favorite stories to get him to tell. He was not impressed. They had long hair, weren't wearing shoes, and had dirty feet. He's still offended to this day. 😂😂😂

[@mattw4496]

Yes, I remember that flight

[@arthurmurfitt7698]

Hahaha

[@dakotafarm1]

Was it really The Monkees that he saw? That seems weird as when The Monkees were touring at the height of their popularity they traveled on their own private Douglas DC-6. Can you find out from your dad when he was on a flight with them, and the departure and destination locations? Also am kind of curious what they did that has kept your dad "still offended to this day" 55 years later?

[@mattw4496]

@@scotsman6712 Why?

[@thesleepstate]

@@dakotafarm1 The Monkeys famously had a band of 'doubles' who acted as decoys on major airline flights. If your father thought they were the M's.. .they were likely the dupes.. as the actual band wore disguises and had their own Jet. Frankly they were ahead of there time

[@jayramsey690]

What a freaking class act!

[@michaeljohnson8058]

Peter was a great folk musician as well

[@robertkerr9527]

I saw the monkees play with Weird Al Yankovic in the Early 80s 😅. It was a very fun show.

[@BirdTalk13]

I was there at the Greek!

[@bobbyk9815]

Peter Tork AND Joe Piscopo?!? It must have been sweeps week!

[@whoreshoe]

🏅

[@jaybarnes2302]

Peter was acting weird. Very jumpy. But I think the Monkees music gets a bad rap. It was pretty good for the kind of music being played back then. I still have a few of their songs on my iTunes. Of course I'm 70.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

@@robertgoerss - What kind of taste in pop music must someone have to think that Last Train to Clarksville, Pleasant Valley Sunday, I'm a Believer, Daydream Believer, Valleri, Steppin' Stone, Tapioca Tundra, Goin' Down, etc. are "terrible." Terrible pop songs don't sell 36 million albums.

[@JMcC64]

@@OMGWTFLOLSMH they are perfectly crafted pop songs. Had some legendary studio players providing the music.

[@monkeyboy2828]

It's called "cocaine"

[@mattw4496]

I thought this was his normal demeanor

[@pressureworks]

Not acting weird at all. Thoroughly excited and happy to be on the show. High Energy.

[@emilyoshiro]

Seeing Larry Bud Bellman was worth the price of admission

[@Rupert14]

Melman

[@MichelleLuke-x8u]

Loved Peter Tork rest in peace miss you❤❤❤

[@steveprudell9976]

Love Peter Tork very nice 💯 funny definitely contributing emensly made it all come together .he was actually refered by Stephen Stills 😊

[@spiveym]

Literally the first late night show I ever saw!

[@proto-geek248]

Once a Monkee, always a Monkee, indeed.

[@briansmith2163]

I remember watching this when it first aired.

[@Navigatorbythestars]

I think Ester's great grand daughter use to watch the Monkees back in the 1960's!

[@mr.c8033]

This interview is PERFECT for you to see exactly why he was hired for, The MONKEES.

[@marktatum2592]

Martin Short as... "Completely Mental" Ed Grimley!

[@johnsilva9139]

Yes, I was thinking maybe Martin Short first got the idea for Ed Grimley from this, but I'm not sure who came first.

[@random22026]

My thoughts exactly, 'I must say....'! :D

[@johnsilva9139]

OK. As it turns out Martin Short debuted his Ed Grimley character on SCTV four months after this Letterman show. Probably just a coincidence, but interesting timing.

[@random22026]

@@johnsilva9139 Tork even coins what became that Grimley catchphrase, 'I must say'. No coincidence! 🤔😂 To be fair to Marty, in comedy, we're ALL OF US fair game. He has an eye for the absurd; never expected the purveyor to be a Monkee. 😁'Hey-hey, he's REMEMBERED...'! :D

[@josephrobichaud5198]

That was not the first time Jimmy was shunned off the stage, but he never gave up his dream.

[@RobertFairweatherMusic]

I love the Monkees.

[@matthewmaguire3554]

Why the Monkee's/Hendrix tour has not been turned into a musical comedy movie is beyond me...Crimminy!!!!...They had THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION following them around protesting Hendrix humping his amps....Come on all you screen writers out there!!!

[@dakotafarm1]

The DAR story was fabricated by Hendrix's management as a farce.

[@robertbrescia3196]

The DAR thing was manufactured. The group realized that Jimi was a rising star and would be better off touring on his own. In order to explain to the press why Jimi was leaving the tour, they made up this story that the DAR found Jimi's music and stage act to be too suggestive for young fans. Jimi and the group actually became good friends during his time opening for them. No hard feeling when he left.

[@MrPigslop]

He grew up and lived near me in NE Connecticut

[@Rigel7WasAlreadyUsed]

RIP Jimi Hendrix :(

[@scotsman6712]

What happened?

[@BobK5]

@@scotsman6712he was murdered by Monika Danneman

[@bobdavis4848]

And RIP Peter Tork, Davy Jones and Michael Nesmith!

[@babayaga1767]

Not just the monkees. ALL records were made by studio musicians and the the Arists sang on the track. In LA there was the wrecking crew. In Detroit the funk Brothers. In Alabama the stampers in Nashville the A session guys.

[@bak-mariterry5180]

In Alabama, they are known as THE SWAMPERS. A.K.A..... The Muscle Shoals Rythim Section.

[@2tallB]

I know what you’re saying but it was only a small percentage of artists that did that. There were many bands that recorded their own music.

[@2tallB]

@@dakotafarm1 thanks for the info, but btw I am a session musician so I know something about how this works. I’m just saying ALL records were not made with session players.

[@michaelporter3347]

This was before the big Monkees revival in the mid 80’s. His life and career was in the tank.

[@Piggy-Oink-Oink]

It was so ln the tank he had dinner with me in 1984 Yes me PIggy lol

[@shermanium7834]

Peter was the Harpo of the Monkees

[@uwcb1]

Or Ringo

[@rrdream2400]

Larry Fine

[@michaellongobardi7725]

This is great, I thought I was watching Martin Short for a moment.

[@BirdTalk13]

No lie…he looks identical to Stephen Stills here!! Peter was always my favorite Monkee and Stephen Stills was always my favorite CSNY member.

[@JoeTillGuitars]

I'm convinced Peter was a great guy, but he always made me uncomfortable to watch him. He seemed to clash with the others. I can relate with Mike Nesmith's feelings on the subject.

[@arthurmurfitt7698]

Total Martin Short vibes

[@toreckman8899]

For a sec I thought it was Martin Short in costume.

[@DN-kz7xl]

Funny fact. All the envelopes had her name😅😅

[@jasonhunt007]

Peter had a Martin Short vibe. Alexa, play The Monkees.

[@moderateminneapolita]

He looks like Martin Short!

[@jameswon6554]

2:36 He looks like Peter DORK!.....LOLLLLLL

[@jglasernyc]

Peter seemed a bit happy in this video!

[@doctortheopolis3122]

Peter seems stimulated.

[@bornagainbuddhist1969]

Ya think, cocaine is a helluva drug. 😆

[@mattw4496]

Mhmm 😍

[@petemclinc]

You'd be stimulated if your Peter was torqued...

[@whatcher8151]

ants in his pants and nose

[@jgunther3398]

he'd appear every couple of years playing a bar on my street but i never saw him. i saw a few good people there but only by coincidence.

[@rockradstone]

Jeeez, I thought it was Martin Short at first.

[@ScarlettFire341]

I GOT TO SAY THIS 'What The F is with those Orange Pants Peter ? " they belong on Ester !

[@TheLadsBandLive]

Hope Peter sued his barber. Those bangs were a crime against humanity.

[@bigslick75093]

Were Peter Tork and Martin Short ever seen in the same room at the same time?😊

[@BirdTalk13]

LOL!

[@judydoyle1124]

Should have had him play!

[@petemclinc]

Play what?

[@BirdTalk13]

@@petemclincGuitar and sing.

[@matthatter2849]

He comes off like Martin Short's brother here. LOL.

[@MJLUCEY-sd1mq]

Surprise, they all said, "Esther Pollack".

[@johngore7744]

I thought Peter was Ed Grimly when he came out on stage. I’m 62 and remember when their show came out lol. Last Train to Clarksville was a good tune.

[@arlLaFong]

Thank you for skipping Joe Piscopo.

[@roldo23]

"Shall we beat the drum, Peter?" - and he does. An instant visual pun. The kid is quick.

[@jamesheuer5139]

Not sure! But Stephen Stills was going to be a Monkee, but he had bad teeth, so he said you guys should hire my roommate, Peter Tork!

[@smmusicplus96]

They look similar, don't they?

[@mhmrules]

Wow! Cool! 🤩

[@thatismattjohnsonjohnson3146]

The Monkees were better than 2/3 the bands put out; Mickey was an outstanding rock n roll singer.

[@markthomas9703]

His sound was amazing he had a style of his own pure talent. ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY ARE A JOKE IS ONLY KIDDING THEMSELVES THEY WILL BE ON THE RADIO UNTIL THE END .WHERE ARE THE CRITIC'S SONGS BEING PLAYED EVERY DAY FOR EVER?

[@WilliamHerlihy-p4g]

The Monkees were better than 2/3 of the bands out there? Their best songs were written by professional songwriters such as Neil Diamind and Boyce/Hart. The instrumentals were played by the Wrecking Crew. The revisionist opinion that the Monkees were a great band has gone too far. To their credit, they could sing.

[@guillermoazul220]

Interesting. Peter may be juuuuust a bit high.

[@kgarrett1404]

Likeable guy.

[@tallmn1957]

That's not Peter Tork. That's Ed Grimley!!

[@waltercoyle6393]

Peter is dressed like he is auditioning for Frank Zappa's band at the time.

[@JeremyHall]

@5:30. that is a young Conan Obrien

[@jasonberezny9705]

The coolest part of their music was that The Wrecking Crew ( the studio recording band) the uncredited musicians for almost every popular hit song ever heard on the radio from the 60’/70’ recorded their first albums. He reminds me of an unfunny Martin Short. The monkees were an iconic moment in television and music history as corny as the show was. It was rock n roll slapstick comedy. Stepping Stone, daydream believer and most of the songs were were actually good. 🤲✌️❤️,

[@pmsfar-outgrooviness8025]

the "Wrecking Crew" only played on a few Monkees songs

[@JeffCogswell]

I thought, "I want the older grey haired lady to win!" And...!!!!

[@JonnyTheLeprechaun]

Peter was SO nice.

[@CreachterZ]

Wow. That’s some outfit he’s got there.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

A typical early 80s outfit.

[@BirdTalk13]

I like it!

[@CreachterZ]

@@OMGWTFLOLSMHYou must not have been a cool guy like me in the early ‘80’s. 😢

[@JohnLancaster-b5x]

Pete's pants are almost under his armpits.

[@davidfurino2987]

Rest in peace Peter

[@joesimon2018]

Is that Conan O'Brien serving them in a tuxedo?

[@Peter-qu3lv]

Poor Peter Tork for someone so experienced behind the TV camera, seems nervous as hell. Nerves or perhaps other things.

[@leperlord7078]

i never realized how Tork can be confused with Dana Carvey

[@emperortrevornorton3119]

You remember the photo of Jimi giving the bird it was because of the crowd chanting for The Monkees

[@dakotafarm1]

I don't remember seeing an actual "photo" of Jimi "giving the bird" to a Monkees audience during the weeks he opened for them. I think an actor who portrayed him in one of the bio films may have done that, but that wasn't actually Hendrix.

[@KingJorman]

Peter would have been perfect as a hobbit, merry or pippin

[@williamheckman4597]

Back when Letterman was actually funny! The best thing to come out of the CBS David Letterman Show was "Lyle the Intern"

[@petemclinc]

I called it "The Lame Show with David Letterman"

[@WilliamHerlihy-p4g]

Why hasnt anyone noticed how much he resembles Martin Short?

[@jimperry4108]

Peter... and friggin Joe! Those were the days.

[@R4lee444]

Coolest grannie.

[@hobbygamer6220]

Hey Shirley Jones !! 👍😃

[@westleywest7259]

These gags probably seemed super funny when they were writing it…

[@davidferrara1105]

Helps if you have a sense of humor, Dad

[@westleywest7259]

@@davidferrara1105 Do you think your comment was funny, child? 🙄

[@louisborselio8608]

That is not Peter Tork. Peter Tork's ears never looked like that. It's Martin Short.

[@zambot3325]

I heard Jimi crashed PeterTork’s GTO on Mulhulland Drive

[@whatcher8151]

and Peter was torked off!

[@ung427]

1:00 I swear that picture of Peter Tork has some David Jones in it.... is this more of that Mandela effect thingy? haa haaa

[@angelamarsters9169]

❤the monkees

[@catherinegigliotti1368]

I think Mickey is touring now

[@BirdTalk13]

Yes he is.

[@kevinstephens2698]

Here's hoping he made it.