Bobby Hart, the songwriter who co-wrote many of the Monkees' biggest hits including Last Train to Clarksville and (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone, has died at the age of 86. He passed away at his home in Los Angeles, according to his friend and co-author Glenn Ballantyne. Hart had been in poor health since breaking his hip last year.
Hart formed a prolific partnership with Tommy Boyce in the mid-1960s, and together they wrote and produced for the made-for-television group the Monkees. Their songs included the Monkees' theme song and the chart-topping Last Train to Clarksville. The duo also produced the Monkees' debut album, which sold over a million copies. Monkees star Micky Dolenz credited them with creating the group's unique sound.
Beyond the Monkees, Boyce and Hart wrote for other acts and released their own music. They campaigned for Robert F Kennedy and wrote the song LUV (Let Us Vote) in support of lowering the voting age. Their songs were covered by artists from Dean Martin to the Sex Pistols. Later, Hart wrote for the Partridge Family and co-wrote the Oscar-nominated ballad Over You from the film Tender Mercies.
Hart was born Robert Luke Harshman in Phoenix, Arizona, the son of a minister. He learned piano, guitar and organ in his youth, and after military service, moved to Los Angeles in the late 1950s. He worked as a songwriter and session musician, and co-wrote the hit Hurt So Bad before teaming up with Boyce. Hart is survived by his wife MaryAnn and two children from his first marriage.
