Bobby Hart

Bobby Hart, the Oscar-nominated songwriter whose songs propelled the Monkees to fame in the 1960s and whose later book explored spiritual principles, died on September 11, 2025, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 86. The cause was complications from a long illness, his wife, MaryAnn, said.

Hart, born Robert Luke Harshman on Feb. 18, 1939, in Phoenix, Ariz., was half of the songwriting duo Boyce and Hart, who crafted enduring pop songs during rock's transformative 1960s. Teaming with Tommy Boyce in 1959, they later wrote "(Theme From) The Monkees," the theme for the group's television show, and "Last Train to Clarksville," the band's debut No. 1 single in 1966, followed by "I Wanna Be Free," "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone," and "Words," helping the TV-spawned band outsell the Beatles and Rolling Stones combined in 1967.

Their catalog included "Come a Little Bit Closer" for Jay and the Americans, and the theme for the soap opera Days of Our Lives. In 1964 Hart co-wrote "Hurt So Bad" for Little Anthony and the Imperials, later covered by Linda Ronstadt, and The Lettermen, with Teddy Randazzo and Bobby Weinstein, and in 1983 earned an Oscar nomination for "Over You" from Tender Mercies, co-written with Austin Roberts.

In his 2015 autobiography, Psychedelic Bubble Gum: Boyce & Hart, The Monkees, and Turning Mayhem into Miracles, co-written with Glenn Ballantyne, Hart recounted his experiences navigating the 1960s and 70s music industry and his success as a performer, including a No. 8 hit with "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight" in 1968.

After the Monkees had disbanded, in 1975 Boyce and Hart toured worldwide and recorded an album with Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones. During this time, Hart began his deep study of yoga philosophy and developing a daily meditation practice. He focused on Kriya Yoga from the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, founder of Self-Realization Fellowship and author of Autobiography of a Yogi.

Hart's spiritual studies culminated in his 2024 book, Yoga and Your Hidden Soul Power: A New Path to Love, Happiness, and Abundance Using Yoga's Ancient Niyama Wisdom, co-authored with Glenn Ballantyne, a friend, fellow songwriter and meditation teacher. In it, they blended yogic principles with anecdotes from his music career to guide readers toward personal growth.

In 1980, Hart married MaryAnn, a partner who shared his spiritual interests and always joined him with participating in activities at Self-Realization Fellowship and at meditation retreats. "Bobby's songwriting work accurately articulated youthful energy, and emotions to the world," she said, "but his soul work brought happiness, contentment, and peace into our home."

A memorial service will be private, with a public celebration planned for spring 2026 in Los Angeles. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Self-Realization Fellowship. Survivors include his wife, MaryAnn; sons Bret and Bobby Jr., from a former marriage to Becky; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters Deborah and Rebecca; and a legacy of music and writings that endured across generations.

By Glenn Ballantyne

(Image courtesy of Glenn Ballantyne)