Farewell to Mike

 

I was a bit shocked to learn of Monkee's member, Mike Nesmith death this past Friday.   I have many friends that recently saw him and Mickey performing in concert just last month.    

We know that The Beatles were on friendly terms with the Monkees and that the fan base carries over from one group to the other for a whole lot of people.  

My condolences go out to Michel's family, friends and fans.   I also think of Mickey because it must be difficult being the only living member of your group left. 

Wonderwall in memory of Peter Tork

I have never made it a secret that I have always disliked the Monkees.   Sure, I think some of their songs are good, but overall, I just don't care for the Monkees.   In the days when I was very immature, I used to call Monkee Peter -- Peter Dork. 


In spite of my feelings towards the Monkees,  I am so sorry to hear of the death of Peter Tork today.   As I am dealing with my own grief right now, I am overwhelmed hearing of someone else's' death and my heart aches for Peter's family, friends, and fans because I know exactly how they are feeling right now. 

In hearing of Peter's death, I am reminded that Peter played on the Wonderwall album with George in the autumn of 1967.    Here is what Peter had to say about that meeting with the "quiet" Beatle

I’d met George when he was visiting Cass Elliot in Los Angeles, and I was dating Cass’s sister, Leah,” Peter Tork says. “Later, the Monkees met the Beatles in England, and he invited me to his house. He played the sitar and said: ‘I’m working on a soundtrack album, I’d love to have you play a little banjo.’” Tork had travelled without his instrument, so Harrison borrowed McCartney’s five-string banjo for the session – “which Paul couldn’t play – at least conventionally, because the folk five-string banjo can’t be restrung in reverse order for left-handers, it must be custom made. I played for 45 minutes, George said, ‘Thanks very much,’ and we went our separate ways.”

Tork’s breezy contribution didn’t make the record, but it can be heard 15 minutes into the film, after Collins is chided by his mother for spying through the wall. “And I did not get paid,” he laughs. “George said: ‘We’ll figure that out later.’ He knew that the honour itself was payment enough!”

Eppy's newest member of the stable

Monkee-ing around with Sgt. Pepper

The day the Monkees realized that they better step up their game because the Beatles just blew them right out of the water.