Monkees Songwriter Bobby Hart Dies at 86

Lead Bobby Hart, co-writer of The Monkees’ biggest hits including “Last Train to Clarksville,” died Sunday at his Los Angeles home at age 86, the band announced via Instagram today.

Nut Graf Hart’s passing marks the loss of one half of the iconic Boyce & Hart songwriting duo, whose work shaped The Monkees’ sound and powered the 1960s TV band to chart-topping success and enduring cultural influence.

Key Details

• Hart died after a long illness aggravated by a hip fracture sustained last year.
• He and partner Tommy Boyce wrote hits such as “I Wanna Be Free,” “I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone” and the theme for “Days of Our Lives.”
• The Monkees’ Instagram tribute highlighted Hart’s talent and spirituality and included his reflection on the band’s lasting legacy: “They still sound pretty fresh…they’ll have a life of their own that’ll probably far outlast mine.”

Background Boyce & Hart penned six tracks on The Monkees’ million-selling 1966 debut album, “The Monkees,” and continued to produce and write for the group through the height of their popularity. Their songs not only defined the sound of a made-for-TV band but also outperformed peers, outselling contemporaries and securing The Monkees’ place in music history.

Legacy and Reaction Micky Dolenz, the only surviving Monkee, praised Hart as “the stillness that is the eye of the hurricane,” crediting him with infusing the group’s work with charisma and calm during a whirlwind career. Fellow musicians and fans worldwide have shared condolences and tributes on social media, underscoring Hart’s impact on popular music.

Remaining Survivors Hart is survived by his wife, MaryAnn, two sons-Bobby Jr. and Bret-and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, according to published reports. Thompson and Nesmith, Monkees members and collaborators, join Dolenz in mourning the loss of their songwriting partner.

Shortened Version Available For editors aiming to trim space, omit the “Background” and “Remaining Survivors” sections.