Peter Tork, the American musician, best known as the keyboardist and bass guitarist of the Monkees, has died at the age of 77.

The news was release in a post on social media on behalf of Tork’s friends, family and colleagues, it read: “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.

“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.”

The statement continued: “This page will remain open for your use in sharing your thoughts with your fellow fans and hopefully helping you through your own grieving journey, however the team will not be available for some time as we start to mend our own hearts and calm our minds.

“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.

“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 ~ptfb team.”

The details of Tork’s death has yet to be revealed but in 2009 Tork reported on his website that he had been diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare, slow-growing form of head and neck cancer. After surgery, the cancer returned once again but Tork was able to beat that bout of the disease and was given the “all clear” from his doctor a few months later.

After a long audition process in 1963, Tork was chosen to be the final member of the influential pop rock band. Together with his bandmates Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Davy Jones, The Monkees went on to secure countless hits across their 13 studio albums.

RIP.