The biggest news that came out during the third week of February was the passing of Peter Tork, one of the Monkees, at age 77 due to complications from cancer. He joins his bandmate Davy Jones, who we lost back in 2012.
Tork, along with Michael Nesmith were the two accomplished musicians when the infamous ad was placed in the Daily Variety and Hollywood Reporter trade magazines looking for "4 insane boys". Tork had been on the Greenwich Village folk circuit when he got a call from his friend Stephen Stills, who did apply for one of the parts. Legend has it, that Stills was rejected because of his teeth, so he called up Tork, who looked a lot like him.
The comedy series about the misadventures of a fictional rock and roll band, which also included Micky Dolenz, ran for two seasons, but more importantly launched a series of hit singles and albums. At first, the band only provided vocals, and the songs were picked by music impresario Don Kirshner, with perhaps one or two songs allowed by group members, namely Nesmith. It wasn't until mid-1967 that the band revolted, and Kirshner was removed from the project, allowing the Monkees to have creative control. This was evident in the band's third album, Headquarters. Also the band used outside songwriters for about half the album, each of the members contributed at least one song. For Peter Tork, it would be "For Pete's Sake".
After the series got canceled, there was the disastrous movie project "Head", and soon after, a TV special "33 1/3 Revolutions per Monkee", a sketch/comedy/variety hour. Right after that special, Tork left the Monkees, the first person to do so.
Tork had contacts with Beatle George Harrison and participated in Harrison's experimental Wonderwall Music soundtrack, playing the banjo. Tork tried forming his own band, but never got anywhere with it. The 1970's weren't a good one for Tork; in 1972, when he was arrested for possession of hashish. A movie production company didn't get off the ground, either. In the latter half of that decade, he settled down, got married, had kids and became a schoolteacher.
In the 1980's things began to change for Tork. He got the attention of prestigious record label Sire Records and recorded a five song demo for the label's executive. Tommy Ramone, Joan Jett and Chrissie Hynde reportedly sat in on those recordings. He also appeared frequently on The Uncle Floyd Show during the early 1980's, which originated in North Jersey. He guested on several talk shows as nostalgia for the 1960's surfaced in the 80's.
The bonanza came in 1986 when, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Monkees' TV show, MTV broadcast a marathon of episodes, fueling a reunion. A greatest-hits album, Then and Now--Best of the Monkees was released, and Tork and Dolenz recorded "That Was Then, This is Now" which reached the top 20 on the Billboard charts. All of the Monkees' albums came back on the charts as well. Tork, Dolenz and Jones reunited as the Monkees (without Nesmith) and embarked on a tour, as well as a new album, Pool It! which yielded the Hot 100 single, "Heart and Soul". Tork also fronted and tours with a couple of his own bands as well, and engaged in other musical projects.
To celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the band, the four members (including Mike Nesmith) united for the Justus album, the only album done with just the band members (Headquarter did have a few outside studio musicians sitting in). The band toured once more (mostly without Nesmith, although he'd join in for a gig or two).
In the new millennium, he went back to fronting his own band, Shoe Suede Blues and guest starred on various television shows. In 2011 he reteamed with Jones and Dolenz for another tour, the last with Davy as he would pass the next year. At that time, he joined Dolenz and Nesmith for another tour in memory of Davy Jones.
By that time, health started slowing Tork down. He was treated in 2009 for adenoid cystic carcinoma, and while the surgery was initially successful, it would affect him all the way until his death. Still, there would be a couple more albums. 2016's Good Times, recorded with Tork, Nesmith and Dolenz with a vintage Jones track celebrating the fiftieth anniversary, was released, and one song, "She Makes Me Laugh" reached my SNS 100 peaking at #43. Finally, a Christmas album, Christmas Party, including vocals on two songs by Jones, was released just this past holiday season. Last year, Nesmith and Dolenz embarked on another tour, but Tork was not up to joining them.
Finally, on February 21, we lost another musician from our childhood.
NO CHANGE: The Revivalists hold onto my #1 spot for the second week with "Change", and the fifth straight week overall they've been at the top. There is, however, potential competition with the next three songs, Elle King's "Baby Outlaw", Tennis' "I Miss That Feelin'", and The Cranberries "All Over Now". Panic! at the Disco's "High Hopes", which continues to lead most of the Rock charts, including a 14th week at Alternative, slips to a still strong #5, while "You and I" by the Revivalists, which created the first 1-2 in SNS history, falls to #6. The reminder of the top 10 is stagnant, with only Dennis Lloyd's "Nevermind" inching into the ten spot.
Some strong movers just outside the top 10, however, including San Cisco's "When I Dream" (16-11), mid-Hudson reggae faves The Big Takeover's "Girlie Girlie" (18-12), and the third top 20 entry from the latest album by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, "Hey Mama" (21-13). Leon Bridges, STRFKR, and Houses also hit the top 20.
Slothrust, an alternative, garage-rock band from Boston, heads the list of new entries, as "Rotten Pumpkin" debuts at #64. The band has been around since 2012, and have released four albums, including the most recent, The Pact. It's their first appearance on SNS. Also debuting is the latest by Vampire Weekend, "Harmony Hill" which is already #1 on the Triple-A chart. They've made my list several times, with their highest being "Step", #15 in 2014. Also entering are two bands that have had pop success. Imagine Dragons follow their first ever SNS top 10 with "Bad Liar", while Twenty-One Pilots enter with "Chlorine".
Tork had contacts with Beatle George Harrison and participated in Harrison's experimental Wonderwall Music soundtrack, playing the banjo. Tork tried forming his own band, but never got anywhere with it. The 1970's weren't a good one for Tork; in 1972, when he was arrested for possession of hashish. A movie production company didn't get off the ground, either. In the latter half of that decade, he settled down, got married, had kids and became a schoolteacher.
In the 1980's things began to change for Tork. He got the attention of prestigious record label Sire Records and recorded a five song demo for the label's executive. Tommy Ramone, Joan Jett and Chrissie Hynde reportedly sat in on those recordings. He also appeared frequently on The Uncle Floyd Show during the early 1980's, which originated in North Jersey. He guested on several talk shows as nostalgia for the 1960's surfaced in the 80's.
The bonanza came in 1986 when, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Monkees' TV show, MTV broadcast a marathon of episodes, fueling a reunion. A greatest-hits album, Then and Now--Best of the Monkees was released, and Tork and Dolenz recorded "That Was Then, This is Now" which reached the top 20 on the Billboard charts. All of the Monkees' albums came back on the charts as well. Tork, Dolenz and Jones reunited as the Monkees (without Nesmith) and embarked on a tour, as well as a new album, Pool It! which yielded the Hot 100 single, "Heart and Soul". Tork also fronted and tours with a couple of his own bands as well, and engaged in other musical projects.
To celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the band, the four members (including Mike Nesmith) united for the Justus album, the only album done with just the band members (Headquarter did have a few outside studio musicians sitting in). The band toured once more (mostly without Nesmith, although he'd join in for a gig or two).
In the new millennium, he went back to fronting his own band, Shoe Suede Blues and guest starred on various television shows. In 2011 he reteamed with Jones and Dolenz for another tour, the last with Davy as he would pass the next year. At that time, he joined Dolenz and Nesmith for another tour in memory of Davy Jones.
By that time, health started slowing Tork down. He was treated in 2009 for adenoid cystic carcinoma, and while the surgery was initially successful, it would affect him all the way until his death. Still, there would be a couple more albums. 2016's Good Times, recorded with Tork, Nesmith and Dolenz with a vintage Jones track celebrating the fiftieth anniversary, was released, and one song, "She Makes Me Laugh" reached my SNS 100 peaking at #43. Finally, a Christmas album, Christmas Party, including vocals on two songs by Jones, was released just this past holiday season. Last year, Nesmith and Dolenz embarked on another tour, but Tork was not up to joining them.
Finally, on February 21, we lost another musician from our childhood.
NO CHANGE: The Revivalists hold onto my #1 spot for the second week with "Change", and the fifth straight week overall they've been at the top. There is, however, potential competition with the next three songs, Elle King's "Baby Outlaw", Tennis' "I Miss That Feelin'", and The Cranberries "All Over Now". Panic! at the Disco's "High Hopes", which continues to lead most of the Rock charts, including a 14th week at Alternative, slips to a still strong #5, while "You and I" by the Revivalists, which created the first 1-2 in SNS history, falls to #6. The reminder of the top 10 is stagnant, with only Dennis Lloyd's "Nevermind" inching into the ten spot.
Some strong movers just outside the top 10, however, including San Cisco's "When I Dream" (16-11), mid-Hudson reggae faves The Big Takeover's "Girlie Girlie" (18-12), and the third top 20 entry from the latest album by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, "Hey Mama" (21-13). Leon Bridges, STRFKR, and Houses also hit the top 20.
Slothrust, an alternative, garage-rock band from Boston, heads the list of new entries, as "Rotten Pumpkin" debuts at #64. The band has been around since 2012, and have released four albums, including the most recent, The Pact. It's their first appearance on SNS. Also debuting is the latest by Vampire Weekend, "Harmony Hill" which is already #1 on the Triple-A chart. They've made my list several times, with their highest being "Step", #15 in 2014. Also entering are two bands that have had pop success. Imagine Dragons follow their first ever SNS top 10 with "Bad Liar", while Twenty-One Pilots enter with "Chlorine".
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100
February 24, 2019
| This Week | Last Week | ARTIST-Title | Weeks on List |
| 1 | 1 |
NUMBER ONE:
Album: Take Good Care
(2 weeks at #1)
|
5 |
| 2 | 4 | Elle King - Baby Outlaw | 6 |
| 3 | 5 | Tennis- I Miss That Feelin' | 6 |
| 4 | 6 | The Cranberries - All Over Now | 5 |
| 5 | 3 | Panic at the Disco - High Hopes | 18 |
| 6 | 2 | The Revivalists - You and I | 11 |
| 7 | 7 | Kitten - Pink Champagne | 14 |
| 8 | 8 | Foster the People - Worst Nights | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | Marshmello & Bastille - Happier | 15 |
| 10 | 11 | Dennis Lloyd - Nevermind | 16 |
| 11 | 16 | San Cisco - When I Dream | 5 |
| 12 | 18 | The Big Takeover - Girlie Girlie | 7 |
| 13 | 21 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:
Album: A Little Honey
|
6 |
| 14 | 9 | Trapdoor Social - Hold Me Down | 15 |
| 15 | 12 | Molly Burch- Torn To Pieces | 17 |
| 16 | 13 | Sharon Van Etten - Comeback Kid | 13 |
| 17 | 22 | Leon Bridges - If It Feels Good | 10 |
| 18 | 23 | Houses - Fast Talk | 7 |
| 19 | 27 | STRFKR - In the End | 4 |
| 20 | 20 | Bebe Rexha - I'm A Mess | 9 |
Songs
with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week.
● Songs
with 25 or more plays on my iPod.
▲ Songs with 50 or more
plays on my iPod.
The “Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100” is a list
of current and recent song playlist which I am listening to.
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