MONKEE Peter tork dead at 77

LOS ANGELES — Musician Peter Tork, best known from his years on the 1960’s cult television classic “The Monkees” has died. He was 77.

Tork’s death was announced on his official Facebook page Thursday, shocking and saddening fans around the world.

“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,” the statement read. “As we have mentioned in the past, the PTFB team is made up of Peter’s friends, family and colleagues — we ask for your kindness and understanding in allowing us to grieve this huge loss privately.”

“We want to thank each and every one of you for your love, dedication and support of our ‘boss.’ Having you in our world has meant so very much to all of us,” the statement continued. “Please know that Peter was extremely appreciative of you, his Torkees, and one of his deepest joys was to be out in front of you, playing his music, and seeing you enjoy what he had to share. We send blessings and thoughts of comfort to you all, with much gratitude.”

Tork’s cause of death has been attributed to a 10 year battle with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare cancer of the salivary glands.

“I don’t count myself as being afraid to die,” Tork told the Washington Post about his diagnosis in 2009, “but the news hit me like a fist to the chest.”

Tork’s longtime bandmate, Micky Dolenz, shared his grief over the news via a statement released to his official Twitter account.

“There are no words right now…heartbroken over the loss of my Monkee brother, Peter Tork,” Dolenz wrote.

Tork was preceded in death by another of his bandmates, Davy Jones, who died in 2012.

Funeral arrangements are pending.