Bobby Hart, Monkees Songwriter, Dies at 86
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Robert Luke Harshman, known professionally as Bobby Hart, passed away on September 13, 2024, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 86.Hart, alongside Tommy Boyce, penned some of the most recognizable songs of the 1960s, including The Monkees’ breakout hit, ”Last Train to Clarksville.”
Hart’s death marks the end of an era in pop music history. His collaborative songwriting with Boyce defined a generation,shaping the sound of The Monkees and influencing countless artists. The duo’s ability to craft catchy, upbeat tunes resonated with audiences then and continues to be enjoyed today, ensuring their legacy endures.
From Arizona Roots to Pop Music Success
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 11, 1939, Hart was the son of a minister. He initially pursued a career as a disc jockey after serving in the Army reserves,but quickly transitioned to songwriting and session work in Los Angeles during the late 1950s. He first found success co-writing “Hurt So Bad” with Teddy Randazzo and Bobby Weinstein, a song later covered by Linda Ronstadt.
Hart’s partnership with Tommy Boyce, whom he described as having a very unusual personality, spontaneous and extroverted, yet very cool at the same time,
proved to be a pivotal moment in his career. Together, they wrote “Come a Little Bit Closer” for Jay and the Americans before being recruited by Don Kirshner for Screen Gems songwriting factory.
Crafting Hits for The Monkees
Assigned to write songs for The Monkees,a band intentionally modeled after The Beatles,Hart and Boyce delivered instant success. They created the twangy guitar riff for “Last Train to Clarksville,” which topped the charts in 1966. When Kirshner requested a song featuring a girl’s name, they responded with “Valleri,” another top-five hit.
The duo’s creativity extended to the show’s theme song. Hart recalled in his memoir how the iconic tune originated: Boyce began strumming his guitar and I joined in by snapping my fingers & making noises with my mouth that simulated an open & closed hi-hat cymbal…We had created the perfect recipe for inspiration and started singing about just what we were doing: ‘Walkin’ down the street.’
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Key Career Highlights
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1939 | Born in Phoenix, Arizona |
| 1966 | “Last Train to Clarksville” released |
| 1967 | “Valleri” released |
| 1970s | Toured with Dolenz and Jones |
| 1994 | Tommy boyce dies |
| 2014 | Documentary “The Guys Who Wrote ‘Em” released |
| 2024 | Bobby Hart dies |
Did You Know?
Bobby Hart and Tommy Boyce also wrote songs for other notable artists, including The Grass Roots and Herman’s Hermits, solidifying their place as prolific songwriters of the 1960s.
Pro Tip:
To explore more of bobby Hart and Tommy boyce’s work, search for their discography on music streaming platforms or visit online music databases like AllMusic.
Hart toured with Mickey Dolenz and Davy Jones of The Monkees in the 1970s, and the quartet released the album Dolenz, jones, Boyce & Hart
. They experienced a resurgence in popularity when The Monkees enjoyed a comeback in the 1980s. Hart was also the subject of a 2014 documentary, The Guys Who Wrote ‘Em
, alongside Boyce.
He is survived by two children from his first marriage and his wife,singer Mary Ann Hart.
What are your favorite songs written by Bobby Hart and Tommy Boyce? Share your memories and appreciation in the comments below!
if you enjoyed learning about Bobby Hart’s life and work, please share this article with your friends and family to help keep his musical legacy alive.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bobby Hart
- What was bobby Hart best known for? Bobby Hart was best known as a songwriter, especially for his work with Tommy Boyce on hits for The Monkees, including “Last Train to Clarksville” and “Valleri.”
- Who was Tommy Boyce? Tommy Boyce was Bobby Hart’s songwriting partner and collaborator. Together,they formed a prosperous duo that penned numerous hits in the 1960s.
- What other artists did Bobby Hart write for? Besides The Monkees, Bobby Hart wrote songs for artists like jay and the Americans, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and Linda Ronstadt.
- What was the inspiration behind “Last train to Clarksville”? Hart and Boyce created the song after being asked to write a tune for The Monkees that resembled The Beatles’ “Paperback Writer.”
- Were was Bobby Hart born? bobby Hart was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 11, 1939.