Peter Tork (Thorkelson) grew up in Washington DC and then moved to Connecticut during the later part of his child hood.  After having attended his first three years of high school outside of Storrs, he and his classmates entered the newly constructed Edwin O. Smith High School in the fall of 1958 as members of its first graduating class.  As a kid he enjoyed music, playing the piano and other instruments such as the banjo and bass guitar.  Today, he plays a total of 12 different instruments. 

After graduation, he went on to attend Carleton College in Northfield Missouri.  Eventually he ended up moving to Greenwich Village where he became eager to make himself known in the folk music scene.   He played in different venues until 1965 when he became a member of The Monkees.

The Monkees became a successful musical group going on tours and producing several albums, as well as having a television show.  The band broke up in December of 1968.  They have had a few reunion shows, but for the most part, the members pursed other careers.

Today, Mr. Tork is still in the music business and is the leader of “Peter Tork and the Shoe Suede Blues”.  They are a local group performing what they call soulful blues; most recently they have played at a number of local fundraisers to raise money for the community.  He was an E. O. Smith commencement speaker in 2006 and has continues to be an active member of the local community.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Tork
http://monkees.rhino.com/read/peter.lasso
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monkees
http://shoesuedeblues.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=37
First Picture: http://www.12stepmusicfest.com/_assets/photos/artists/PeterTork1_Monkee.jpg
Second Picture: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1095/1367707287_4b10cabeb4_o.jpg as also seen in the The Willimantic Chronicle, Monday July 21, 2008 “Rockin’ out in Lebanon”