Peter Tork

Peter Tork, longtime bassist for the "Pre-Fab Four" died Feb. 21, 2019 at 77. The made-for-TV pop group began in the 1960s and had a long list of hits over the years, most recently with our favorite hit of 2016, "Me and Magdalena," written by Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cuties.
"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," reads a post on Peter's Facebook page. "We ask for your kindness and understanding in allowing us to grieve this huge loss privately."They say not to meet your heroes, but I met Peter on two occasions, once when I was eight years old. My brother was in the Studio City Christmas Parade and I sat outside Sambo's Pancakes on Ventura Blvd. to watch. I looked up to see Mickey Dolenz standing by the streetlight not a foot away. He turned, said hello and Peter sauntered up, put his arm around Mickey and said, "Hey, Big Guy." Funny how we remember such moments. When I met him again, years later at a party thrown by the LA Weekly, we talked for a moment, I said, "We met once before" and reminded him of that night in front of Sambo's. He said, "Oh yeah, I remember," with a big Peter grin. Of course, he didn't, but that was who he was. I'll never be able to listen to "Shades of Gray" again without a tear in my eyes. And it’s not just me: