Peter Tork 1979 Interview -- Complete!

Did it work this time or do I have to do this all over again? It worked, for Pete's sake?!? Well, all right! This one's for the ladies, baby! For the first time online -- or on any public viewing medium since its original airing on California Public Access TV in 1979, still in its original shades of gray -- the entire 1/2 hour in-depth Reasonably Spontaneous Conversation interview with Peter Tork of the majestic MONKEES!!! Can you dig it?

[@sambradley2975]

Actually Peter Tork was very intelligent, like Harpo Marx, he was known for playing dumb, but as Shakespeare said, "It takes a wise man to play a fool ".

[@ttintagel]

I've always thought Peter and Harpo had a lot in common.

[@elmobolan4274]

He was uber smart....

[@sherilewis4345]

He was brilliant ❤️

[@marguskiis7711]

@@sherilewis4345 no

[@jmadratz]

He seems like the same person he played on The Monkees, the fool but only for the fun of it.

[@robinromine8158]

I can't even find words to describe Peter Tork. He was just as beautiful on the inside as he was on the outside. R. I. P. Peter!

[@primmoore6232]

Today, Feb. 21, 2019, we lost Peter Tork. I have no more words.

[@rhondacannon7447]

So sad 😞

[@lickmyfuckinnuts]

😟

[@jimsmith6547]

RIP mister tork

[@moontheloon5]

He is missed so very much...always loved Pete💙

[@ghostcityshelton9378]

I've seen & had met Peter in the Owl Club in New York before the Monkees and he was a really cool dude God bless his soul. I really think he'd wished he haddn't spent all that money to buy his way out of his Monkee contract. But we all make mistakes. Pete was a really cool guy and 'playing' dumb & being dumb are two different things, he sure wasn't dumb. It's strange how David & Peter both died in the same month, Feb. Rest in peace, we'll never forget you.

[@moontheloon5]

And now we've lost Mike😔

[@susanmccormick6022]

Yep,my birth month & my fav actor actually on my birthday!

[@TinaICXCNIKA]

This interview was done little more than a decade after "The Monkees" TV Series ended and Peter Tork (age 37 time of interview) was roughly, only halfway through his entire lifetime. I shouldn't be dumbfounded (yet, I am) by the negative or condescending replies about Tork (Political, Finance, Etc.) as if he never grew smarter to make different/better choices during the second half of his life. It reminds me of something I once read, "Don't Judge Another's Story by the Chapter You Walked In On". Financial aspect alone, Tork died with a Net Worth of around $4 Million. Thanks for uploading this interview #1onceBitten2wiceShy...I can dig it! 🙏

[@mandirazorgirl444]

Peter was a wise, gentle, beautiful soul full of empathy and connection. His thought processes were so complex and farsighted. Miss him so much :(

[@brettweary730]

Rest In Peace you sweet Man

[@shelleywantiez7964]

Peter actually the polar opposite of the character he played. Very intelligent and so adorable. My favorite Monkee and first crush. Beautiful soul.

[@jmadratz]

I don’t think so. He appears to me a very similar to his portrayal on The Monkees, always joking around.

[@robertshanks3674]

Peter was an amazing guy and a deep thinker

[@jadvadm]

Love Peter then and now. Thanks for posting this. We don't get enough of Peter.

[@vascoemyer]

Sunday, 3 March 2019 and I'm trawling KZbin for Peter Tork content and so glad I've come across this - really interesting. Peter when he's given free reign, always makes me smile and amazes me with his intellect.

[@jeffthebluesinem2280]

Such a tragedy to discover what a deep individual Pete Tork was after his passing. Never having a chance to know him during his life time hurts more than I imagined it ever could.

[@KolossalYouth]

I have such a soft spot for Peter (and that dimple!).So smart and adorable! I wish I'd been born about 45 years earlier. I would've loved to date him!

[@chryssoraidy9838]

i had such a crush on him, a 9 yr old in 1971

[@robinromine8158]

The only famous person I ever really wanted to meet.

[@debrahubbard763]

@Jayde Moon I would have wanted to marry him!

[@bluestmarble9934]

OMG, yes!

[@Luvie1980]

Do you remember his monologue in end of the movie "Head"? I think he is the most intelligent and spiritually conscientious one in the group.

[@chryssoraidy9838]

Thank you for this. Wish i'd seen it before today, a very sad day.

[@kenlieck7756]

I'm just glad I was able to "give back" a little to Peter by saving this video from being "wiped". He e-mailed me when I first posted sections of it and was selling DVD copies -- asking if he could purchase one! I told him he didn't have to pay and I reminded him that I had already given him a VHS copy a few years before when I had first made some just-OK-quality copies of it. Our correspondence then changed to the subject of getting him a SXSW showcase (I'm a sort-of SXSW insider) until he stopped emailing me abruptly at what I later learned was the time of his mouth cancer scare. Since then, interviewer Dennis tells me that this interview has played notable roles in a bio film made by Peter's son and in the Monkees 50th anniversary celebrations in (I think it was) Brazil.

[@Beatlesforevergirl1]

Thanks so very much for uploading all of Peter's interveiw. He is clearly a wise man. I adore him.

[@TorkG8]

My screen-name says it all...Peter is my fav' Monkee. Thanks so much for uploading this! :)

[@robbrown4621]

I once briefly met Peter Tork. He and his group, The New Monks, were performing at a small amusement park, Nellie Bly, in Brooklyn. This was around 1980. I was in a batting cage and he was in the battling cage next to me a few hours before the show. I kept trying to swing up on the balls coming at me and kept popping and fouling them off. I didn't know that he was next to me but I did see that he was driving the balls well into the distance. He looked over at me and told me to drive down on the ball and that I would have more success. Instantly, I recalled my little league coaches telling me the exact same thing four or five years earlier. I thanked him and told him that I once knew what he was telling me but I had forgotten it and I thanked him for reminding me. I hit a few line drives into the distance afterward...

[@kenlieck7756]

Also always remember there's no "I" in Monkee!

[@Thundergod-]

He seems to be the exact opposite of his persona on The Monkees. Beloved as the lovable dummy he is in fact very intelligent obviously and a deep and profound thinker. WHO KNEW????

[@moniquedewyk6341]

he may be eloquent and extremely intelligent but he sure does not know how to answer a question directly

[@cindyoteri1895]

I knew 🤫

[@susanmccormick6022]

Hands up!Mike said he & Davy & Micky virtually played themselves whereas Peter was nothing like the character he portrayed.RIP Peter,Mike & Davy.

[@Thundergod-]

@@susanmccormick6022 Yeah Pete was far brighter than the characters he portrayed often clueless....

[@lindas.5191]

@@moniquedewyk6341 I'm no psychologist, but I would bet that is closely related to the way he was raised ("with the tenet that perfection was barely tolerable"), and he seems to have been unable to shake his insecurities from his upbringing. You can tell he was a very caring, sensitive and shy individual. So sad to have lost him to cancer.

[@lucyfaiella7220]

SO COOL PETER..🎸🎸🎸LOVE YOU.....♥️♥️♥️

[@Orpheuswell]

This is the most amazing interview I’ve seen ever for a celebrity

[@darkwood777]

Too bad it cut off at an interesting part of the conversation where Peter was at a complete loss to name any music he listened to.

[@lh1243]

peter... come back!! we need more minds like you in today's world.

[@bettyforman734]

Rip Peter thank you 😓😥😓😥

[@HydesBadAssChickFan]

Ok, now I'm totally in love with him, man for real, like I know so many artists that think the same way I do, but so few people in real life...:(

[@lisaoldwithsomanywhys5487]

glad to have watched this❤️

[@lpeek56]

Here I am again saying thanks so much for posting this interview with Peter. My obsession has grown and I now have Firefox video download helper and am downloading this for my collection. Appreciate this more than I can say!!!

[@LunaGracie]

I've been waiting almost 6 years for this full interview. XD I didn't think I'd ever get to see it! SQUEE!

[@1nceBitten2wiceShy]

Once again, I should probably not have called it an "interview". Dennis' show was called "Reasonably Spontaneously Conversation" for a reason -- it was intended as a loosely-organized, free-form discussion program. Whatever its flaws, it also allowed for things that you wouldn't get from a "proper" interview. It's a shame this was the only episode I managed to save (along with part of one with Beatles publicist Jerry Pam) before he "wiped" (erased) the rest of the tapes for re-use.

[@robinromine8158]

I love him! 😔

[@sambradley2975]

John Lennon flirted with radical politics, but he was still a brilliant musician, Peter Tork is the same. I don't care about his politics, I just care about the music.

[@LostWinchesterChild]

I simply adore Peter and the level of genius that he clearly is though he portayed the "Dummy" on the show and even a bit in the movie Head though I'm sure some would argue that point with me. He is and always will be one of my idols. He is just so utterly wonderful. Now that I've said all of that.... MY GOD I WANNA BURY MY FACE IN THAT CHEST HAIR!!!!!

[@bluestmarble9934]

Sweet baby Jesus, YES!!!!!

[@jmason2838]

🦊🦊🦊👀👍👍 🙏🕯️🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹❤️🧠....💕💞✝️☯️☯️☯️🛐...👀🙁🦋💭☁️☁️☁️

[@debrahubbard763]

The dimples, those dimples! When they are attached to such an intelligent man, SWOON!!!!!!!

[@lindas.5191]

My God, I always felt the same!

[@Gaylel1]

Dang, he was deep…and smart and sexy too. He would have turned 80 on February 13th. Love you forever, Peter and continue to soar, angel..😇❤️

[@ifyoueverfind78]

nice. 79 , good times, when i started playing guitar...]

[@danthefan5378]

2/21/19 Rock and Roll & Rest I.P. Peter Tork! You Rock!

[@cherlyann3]

Interviewer annoys me - but love Peter Tork!

[@Chooselife2024]

So damn cute✌️☮️

[@cheddarcheese7928]

This was cool..Skipped the whole “what was it like to be a Monkee?” and went into much deeper territory.

[@TanyaAlina]

Cool, I was 3 when he did this interview, thanks for posting it

[@bluestmarble9934]

Good God - he was so articulate and well-read, and so incredibly good-looking. I would have liked a 1/2 hour with him, for sure!!! Wouldn't have been for an interview, though. :)

[@larrywakeman4371]

I had THREE hours with im, MEZMERIZING. 26 french kisses - and I was 16 and it was a year after this interview) I never kissed a boy in my life and Peter wsa my First kiss and French kiss-26 of them! OH My Gosh he was heavenly! When he whispered in my ear I wa going to faint......ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Kim

[@debs8858]

I loved his smile..

[@thegroupharmonyalley]

The interviewer frustrates Peter, with his interruptions

[@centerice]

"Reasonably" Spontaneous... haha. I often try to explain to the young people (early 20s) I work with nowadays that this generation wasn't just anti-war, or free-love flower power kids who had their own dress code, or hair styles. It also had a very peculiar, very characteristic humor. I tell them I have a difficult time explaining or describing it, but when you hear the humor of an old hippie, or nearly anyone's jokes or one-liners from this generation...you know it. You recognize it. I guess you could say that it is a wit comprised of certainly some zany elements, but there is definitely an intellectual basis for the humor. You have to be clever, to understand the humor. You have to be kind of smart, to get the punch line. Anyway, there is no doubt that the kids of the 60s had a humor that was all their own, and very funny.

[@almodovar251]

Thanks for sharing. Honest intervew!

[@rossrichards5676]

Wonderful interview. Stunning T.V.

[@kenlieck7756]

Check out the other surviving episode, w/Mel Blanc, also on this channel. Dennis has also begun doing new episodes of "Reasonably Spontaneous Conversation" over the last year, which can be viewed on KZbin as well.

[@terrymarvin]

Rest in Peace Peter.

[@lpeek56]

Oh and YES I can dig it!!!!

[@chineseslaves1971]

Whoever goes out and gets it deserves it. Is disrespectful for others to criticize another’s career. They aren’t paying your bills or giving you a job or career so they have no say in the matter. Some people believe work should be a form of suffering, misery and stress or you aren’t working. You’ll never a nice life with them. They aren’t conceptual people. Being a Monkee or having any early success is just the start of life. They all seemed to really want to work for it and they bought homes. Don’t worry about deserving it or not. There’s not enough hours in the day for some people to actually earn their high income, yet it’s inferred it’s earned due to their position. Although concepts are worth a lot, it’s not easy to get paid for them but you can use them in your own life. Take the good times when they’re there. They don’t come to anyone, you have to go out and get it. Just do something with what you make.

[@ClockWerkOrange]

Very intelligent interview

[@swrose66marchangel]

This interviewer is setting my creep meter off big time.

[@SaveMe0377]

Same same

[@lindas.5191]

There was something about him, but I don't know what it was. Maybe he was trying too hard. You can tell Peter wasn't exactly thrilled with him either.

[@dantefloressq]

Man. He was a very smart person. I'm kind of speechless about it.

[@whbock55]

Interesting, but I wish the interviewer didn't keep interrupting. It got to be annoying after a while. I wonder what album he just put on....

[@elmobolan4274]

Little did he know lighting was about to strike again...and we went crazy!!!

[@kenlieck7756]

He definitely couldn't have imagined that was coming. If another commenter's timeline is accurate, Peter was working as a dishwasher around the time this program was shot.

[@elmobolan4274]

@@kenlieck7756 he said, he literally gave all his money away, feeling it would come back to him in 2 folds-"Hippy Mentality." He definitely didn't do this the second time-FYI-He bought that sailing boat for his moocher friend, David Crosby...David Crosby even mentioned this in an interview but didn't give out his friend's name...

[@kenlieck7756]

@@elmobolan4274 Kinda funny how kinda the same thing happened to Nesmith in a big way. Lost 47 million (most of what he got from the "white-out" inheritance) in the PBS* lawsuit, then won it all back on appeal. *(Emphasis on the BS part.)

[@woodysdrums8083]

Peter is spot on about capitalism.

[@feralbluee]

“Where’s my script?” love it!! i loved Peter. he has such a Peter Tork personality (LOL) and his own special humor. so glad he had a great time with the Monkees!! 🐶🌷✨ “When you’ve got there, then what?” “There’s only process.” Peter, you’re just beautiful. miss you. . . 🌹

[@Luvie1980]

I would have definitely dated Peter Tork if I was alive during the 60s and 70s. The question is would he have dated me.

[@itsmissyvonne]

Very smart, but also very clever in avoiding personal commentary...notice how he distracts in various ways. I wonder...

[@regularolpoet1462]

Good soul

[@deborahrobertson8606]

I loved the creativity of the 60's artists. They had talent, charisma and performance magnetism like no other generation. I was a child and just soaked up the music in the late 60s. However, they were and still are unbearably politically naive. I understand the horror of Vietnam marked a generation of Americans. But how can they spout this stuff and notinvestigate the realities of Communism.? Those still with us are still hanging onto a Utopian vision of mass equality, which, in reality, could only ever be imposed through violent dictatorship.

[@beelion8150]

I was 3yrs old at this interview. But I love peter.

[@dougsaroma]

If it was complete why did it cut off in mid sentence, and mid topic?

[@kenlieck7756]

That's how the show was formatted. Camera fades in, Dennis & guest chat for 30 minutes* & when time runs out camera fades out. *(Actually 28 minutes to leave time for station ID)

[@lindas.5191]

I hated how it cut off. I was wondering why Peter didn't mention some of the blues greats although maybe he didn't get into the blues until much later on. I love his work with Shoe Suede Blues. He seemed so happy and comfortable like he'd found his place.

[@WatsonPlace]

the interviewer was horrid... though he did generate good conversation after the initial awkwardness... most reveling was his affection for the Marxist thought, ideals... which was not explored but was there for the interviewer to run with... but the interruptions diminished the overall flow.... thanks for the post...

[@suzieparis6821]

Super intellectual..and hot..had a crush on him since age 11..62 now..

[@lindas.5191]

Amazing isn't it? Some things never die. I think of him and play his music probably a lot more than I should.

[@1nceBitten2wiceShy]

That drives me nuts, I assure you -- but after 33 1/3 years I doubt that either Peter or Dennis remembers! The show was made like a lot of public access programming, though; the camera rolled live and when it was time for the next program to start, the command to fade out was given with NO exceptions... -- 1b2s

[@cookmoore3736]

Very interesting interview, real. I wonder where the rest. I can proudly say I am a writer who rarely reads :)

[@eadecamp]

1nceBitten2wiceShy He actually does have chest hair, just not that much. He gives us a nice view in the Sally Jesse Raphael show in 1986. Worth a "look".

[@lindas.5191]

It's enough!!! 💜💕💙💜💓

[@kitmc5855]

I think Peter Torkelson was an amazing person and am so very disappointed that there's no sound at all in this interview. Would have loved to hear what he said - damn !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@KenLieck]

The original U-matic tape only had audio in the right channel and apparently I didn't split it out to mono. I don't know what you were using to watch the video on, but you must have only been getting the left channel. You'll notice that no other commenters have complained about having such a problem -- try futzing around with your audio settings or speaker wires, or just view it on just about any other device in existence and you should have no trouble hearing every word clear as a bell!

[@1nceBitten2wiceShy]

AT LAST!!! People bitched & moaned thru delay after debacle as I tried to post this; but since I finally got it running, not a SOUL has commented until you! THANKY!!! (PS: Peruse the other Peter patter I've previously posted, please!) - 1b2s PS: And if you wanna send a personal message to me at my "1nceBitten2wiceShy" channel HQ, I may be able to manage setting up sending a special Monkee Treat to your mailbox! (No promises, cuz I'm so flighty, but it could be very well worth it!)

[@RBPAudio]

This must of been a tough script to follow! Only kidding of course. My band "Terry Hughes & 171" opened for THE PETER TORK PROJECT on multiple gigs on the east coast in the early eighties. His band was very tight & they performed high-energy versions of Monkee's tunes. "171" was a power pop - punky sort of thing so we meshed well & both groups were well received. It was a lot of fun indeed, those were interesting times. Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp3Hf6OLl9hrsNE

[@chineseslaves1971]

Peter probably shouldn’t have bought out his Monkees contract. They might have blacklisted him...he’s very underemployed. He looks different then his older version. Eyes here much farther apart and shoulders have normal three head widths.

[@duffbaker9554]

Good call, Paradise. He bought out his contract at a very, very high cost. If only he could have ridden it out for a mere two years longer, and if the money had been invested, he would've been in better financial shape when this was filmed.

[@chineseslaves1971]

Duff Baker , Right. He paid a dear price for it and the only bailout was the Monkee years and an inheritance. Very sad. His Dad had leftist leanings he adapted. Academically they sound great...in practice it’s not. Our problem is unregulated capitalism, moral decline and all of that selfishness. He didn’t understand the concept of money. All he had to do is buy CA property while working. He bought friends instead. They’re harder to get in CA. He sure was an impossibly cute young man with skills. Wish I was young when he was and met him, so I could snatch a hug and kiss. Then later I’d be the enemy spoiling all his fun though.

[@CaseyVan]

Peter Tork sounded like he's really smart here, but there are some major fallacies in this thinking . There is "just enough to go around". Ever since the industrial age there has been more than enough to go around. Life was really hard for almost everyone except the rich. I just disagree with that. And the idea that the rich are taking up all the resources sounds absurd to me. Rich people produce resources usually, not hog them up. Rich people start businesses and put people to work. Rich people invest in technology that makes life easier, more productive. He's looking at this very simplistically and one sided. He almost corrected himself. He said "we won't know if there is enough to go around" are you kidding? Most people at least in America have way more food and belongings than they need . Why? Because we have technology, we have sewer, water, electricty, infrastructure If you want to make the whole world do well, don't just distribute money. Build infrastructure in third world countries. Instead the communists, and socialists tear down economies, and destroy nations, and even start wars, kill people and destroy infrastructure. So sad.

[@patbrennan6572]

i'll bet his i.q is around 200

[@Thundergod-]

It was only 160 until he took LSD....

[@dantefloressq]

@@Thundergod- IQ doesn't exist

[@Thundergod-]

@@dantefloressq Like you apparently, I was joking....

[@25stingray]

Not so much a peter Tork interview, as a rude interviewer trying to look clever and wanting it to be about him instead.

[@duffbaker9554]

Not really- he seems like a nice enough guy, just a little quirky, that's all.

[@robertshanks3674]

watch closely, this a road map on how NOT to conduct an interview

[@michaeljasinski1906]

Exactly...Peter rolls with it ,but its also a challenge for the interviewer. As a Fan of Johnny Carson, they say he let his Guest commeder the interview.

[@1nceBitten2wiceShy]

Oh, wonderful -- now I have the phrase "I grab both my man-boobs and I offer them to you!" stuck in my brain! (As sung by the Davy Jones voice-imitator in the brilliant "literal video version" of "Daydream Believer", currently viewable on KZbin). -- 1b2s PS: To restore your Karma, immediately take a "hit" of Phrot7is* and repeat the word "follicle" until all becomes meaningless. But then, why should I speak, since I know nothing? *(Alternate Tork spelling from 'Teen Beat' mag c. 1968)

[@normanchristiansen1864]

always the seeker, peter...

[@Bellamarcella1212]

No sound 🙁

[@1nceBitten2wiceShy]

Actually, Mr. Tork's chest hair was the ONE special effect allowed by the show's budget -- in reality, Peter's chest is as smooth as your Auntie Grizelda's (just kidding, tee hee). -- 1b2s

[@jimsmith6547]

The interview looks like Brent musbirger

[@jmadratz]

I never knew Peter was a socialist. He is based on his comments at the 8:50 minute mark thru 9:45 and beyond of course. At first it really shocked me that he thought that way but then I realized of course that he was a product of the 60’s and the peace movement and the anti establishment scene so it’s no shock…but I wonder if his political views changed as he got older and became more conservative opposed to liberal when it came to supporting a welfare state at the expense of his hard work going to support malingerers.

[@Prousto]

Peter is doing his best here, but the interviewer, for all his bullshit pseudo-hippie enlightenment, hasn’t done an iota of preparation and it really shows, forty one years later.

[@Gigiroo]

God this interview guy is creepy.

[@beelion8150]

Awesome interviewer!

[@crusty21]

Money and communism never mix very well Pete...That's probably why you lost all your money..

[@wholeworld399]

Host is being such a dooff! Just when Peter is about to make a profound statement. .he interrupts.

[@arpadzigisfari5819]

Marxists killed around one hundred million people in the 20th century in pursuit of utopia. I agree that capitalism is a terrible system, but only when compared to utopia. When capitalism is compared with all other real systems, it works extremely well. It has pulled and is pulling an astonishing number of people in the third world out of poverty. If socialism was so great, why were the eastern European countries so polluted and impoverished when the Berlin Wall came down? If we want to all come together, we need to do so individually. It can't be forced by governments.

[@revbudgreen4776]

HEY SHIT FOR BRAINS. REAL SOCIALISM IS WESTERN EUIROPEAN, NOT THE IRON CURTAIN DICTATORSHIP THAT YOU IGNORANTLY REFER TO. COMMUNISM, MARXISM, COMMUNALISM, WHERE WE ALL SHARE THE ABUNDANT RICHES OF THIS EARTH, IS GODLY, CAPITALISM, IS OF THE DEVIL. SMOKE SOME HOLY HERB BROTHER AND JOIN THE COMING LEFT WING REVOLUTION TO COME TO OVERTHROW THE RICH PIG ONE PERCENT THAT CONTROL OUR COUNTRY AND GOD'S GREEN EARTH.

[@dantefloressq]

I am a marxist and i haven't killed anyone. Yet

[@arpadzigisfari5819]

@@dantefloressq Glad to hear it!

[@dflf]

Worst interviewer ever?

[@chestercopperpot9294]

I wish they hadn’t picked Peter for the Monkees as he always seems to ruin the band as a unit which is funny about how he talks about community and is anti-capitalist yet takes the money and runs later on when they reform.

[@avalond1193]

I love Peter but all this socialism talk and imply how rich people is bad because poor people are suffering .. he was rich but he was reckless with his money and lost it all and became poor after the Monkees high.. that alone should prove that the difference in alot between who has the money and who don't is not because capitalism is bad but rather its the decisions people make as well as actions that will decide if they get rich and well off or poor and struggling. Poor choices in life will mess you up while being focused and determined and doing the work will get you far and more successful

[@ghostmost2614]

Had Peter Tork been a capitalist he would have managed his wealth and not crying about his situation. Wish I'd never seen this interview. RIP Peter

[@Boa1701]

I grew up with the Monkees and love their music but man, what a loon.

[@Starlababy]

what a crasy stupd interview. He dosent belive much or have any plans for much.