Legendary Monkees songwriter, Bobby Hart has died aged 86.
Hart, was one half of the iconic Boyce and Hart songwriting pair's famous hits, including 'Last Train To Clarksville' and 'I Wanna Be Free'. It is believed that his health had been on the decline since he broke his hip last year. He passed away at his LA home last week (September 10).
Paying tribute to the late musician, The Monkees shared a series of photos on Instagram.
"Very sad news to report: Bobby Hart, the songwriting dynamo who was half of the duo responsible for so many Monkees songs, has died", they wrote. "With partner Tommy Boyce, Bobby penned tracks like I Wanna Be Free, Last Train to Clarksville, the iconic Monkees theme, and so many more, in addition to his solo songwriting career with hits like Hurts So Bad for Little Anthony and the Imperials.
"He will be remembered for his incredible talent and his innate spirituality".
The statement continued: "Said Bobby: 'It’s interesting and gratifying to look back these many years later and see that the Monkees are still with us, and they’re still being played somewhere ... the records themselves have been staples that have gone on to sell for years and years.
"They still sound pretty fresh, and that we had an opportunity to do a lot of music that was married to visuals, and so, that in itself kinda seems to ensure that they’ll have a life of their own that’ll probably far outlast mine.'
"You will be so missed, Bobby".
The only surviving member of The Monkees, Mickey Dolenz paid tribute to Bobby Hart.
"Another great is gone. Bobby Hart, who along with Tommy Boyce, penned and produced some of the Monkees’ greatest hits not only made a vital contribution to the popular success of the Monkees, but even more importantly to the essence, the very spirit of the entire venture", he said.
"His talent, charisma, good humor and calmness in the face of what at times was nothing less than a maniacal roller coaster ride often brought a sense of peace that heartened everyone around him".
"He was the stillness that is the eye of the hurricane".
Bobby Hart continued to working with Boyce even after Boyce finished working with The Monkees, releasing the albums Test Patterns and I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonite, as well as appearing in sitcoms I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched.
Bobby Hart had been married twice, with his most recent marriage being to Mary Ann Hart. He is survived by two children.
Boyce died from suicide in 1994.
Back in 2021, The Monkees' lead guitarist Michael Nesmith died aged 78. More on this from Nova here.
