Peter Tork dead: Monkees singer dies at 77 after 10-year cancer battle

Monkees singer Peter Tork has died at the age of 77.

The singer’s cause of death has not been announced, but he had been diagnosed with a rare cancer of the tongue in 2009.

The sad news has been confirmed by his sister Anne Thorkelson, reports the Washington Post.

She did not clarify the star’s cause of death, however he had been diagnosed with a rare form of tongue cancer, adenoid cystic carcinoma, in 2009.

Peter was a singer, bass player and keyboard player for the Monkees, a four-piece band who found fame in the 1960s.

He was the oldest member of the group when their NBC show The Monkees first aired in 1966.

The show ran for only two seasons, but in its time, won an Emmy Award for outstanding comedy.

Peter sang lead on some of the band’s tracks, including Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again.

He also wrote the tune for the band’s 1968 movie, Head, which featured cameo appearances from the likes of Dennis Hopper, Frank Zappa and Jack Nicholson.

The band are most famous for their hits The Monkees, I’m A Believer and Daydream Believer.

He made the announcement on his website, but stressed that it had not spread to other parts of his body.

He revealed he was undergoing treatment for the disease and had surgery.

Peter said: "It’s so rare a combination (on the tongue) that there isn’t a lot of experience among the medical community about this particular combination.

"On the other hand, the type of cancer it is, never mind the location, is somewhat well known, and the prognosis, I’m told, is good."

Over the last three years, Peter had been playing with his own band the Shoe Suede Blues, playing Monkees covers and classic blues hits.