Ann Moses

From the Tiger Beat Archives, February 1968 by Ann Moses

Editor’s note: When I read through this piece, the thing that struck me was that by 1968, I had been covering The Monkees for 18 months and we were getting to the “challenging” stage of something new to write. It just seemed logical, that rather than just go to the set to do my interviews, as usual, I could “take you along” and tell you what it was really like to “do my job.” Nice work, right?

A day on the Monkees set with Peter Tork is never the same so to write a story about “A Day with Peter” you have to pick out one day and record just about everything you observed.

First thing in the morning you can count on Peter to be the first Monkee to say hello. He usually feels pretty good even at his eight o’clock make up call, unlike Mike and Micky take an hour or so to really wake up.

JOKING DEMANDS

On this particular day, you bring a brand-new copy of Monkee Spectacular down to the studio which the boys haven’t seen yet. Peter snatches it from your arm and begins to look at it page by page.

On the set the crew started to film the scene, so Pete is called back and forth. “Will you please keep my place!” he jokingly demands as he hands back the book each time he does his spot

LIES, LIES, LIES?

By the time he reaches the middle of the magazine, he’s rapping at you with just cause, of course. When Peter doesn’t like something tells you up front. No sweet-talking the press, the set visitors, anyone. He’s always 100 per cent himself, and that’s first of all – – truthful!

“Lies, lies, lies. Don’t you realize the responsibility you have to the fans to print the truth!” He shouts. You aren’t sure what he’s talking about so you ask, embarrassed.

He points out, “You spelled Tao wrong in ‘The Book of Tao’ it’s T-A-O not T-O-A! Also, you said I yelled, “I think you got it now Micky,” on our album and it was just Chip Douglas!”

MAKES YOU THINK

You may figure “that’s pretty groovy if that’s the only error in truth he can find in the whole magazine,” but to Peter it’s not groovy. So, you absorb a little of his advice and think to yourself, “if he can be so concerned, so can I!”

So, you’ve got to interview Davy and he’s standing nearby. While you talk to Davy, Peter carefully reads the political pages of the Los Angeles Times and then turns to the comics. Soon the crew and cast move from this outside setting to the regular stage seven. Home.

NEW SONG

You continue your Davy interview in his dressing room and suddenly Peter interrupts because he’s found a new bridge for the song he and Davy are writing together. He sits down and strums the acoustic guitar and sings the new parts. Davy likes the addition and you can tell Peter is pleased. It’s also natural to Peter, but still, he gets excited. They resume the same scene later between shots on the set.

During the lunch break, Peter takes the five-minute drive to his house and listens to albums while he eats a small lunch. Back on the set one he takes an hour nap, because he’s not needed in the shot.

NEW CLOTHES

Genie the Taylor has brought his new clothes down to the studio for a final fitting and Peter’s eager to try them on. One by one he tries on the raw silk, braided raja coats and he looks beautiful!

Maybe you can ask Peter some questions between shots. That’s the best time because he has to sit there anyway, so why not get something accomplished! Peter has so many things he likes to do, he takes advantage of every free moment.

DEANA AND GINA

Davy has some guests on the set today, Deana and Gina Martin. Peter knows Deana and says a warm hello and meets little Gina, who looks so excited. Peter seldom invites friends down to the studio to watch the filming because he likes to be with his friends when he can spend some time with them, rather than chat between shots.

It’s late afternoon now and shooting will continue until about seven p.m. Hot tea will keep Peter going the rest of the day. It’s been both in a usual day, with the routine shooting; and an unusual day, where the breaks bring different experiences and conversations. You saw Peter today – – his talent, his honesty, his cheerfulness, his understanding – – and you like what you seen!

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