Praise for Psychedelic Bubble Gum
Those were truly psychedelic, strange and wonderful times. Reading your book reminded me that I had asked you to participate in the Mad Dogs Touras you are one of my favorite soul singers and organists. Your writing style is as entertaining as the rest of your show biz skills.LEON RUSSELL, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer, songwriter, musician, and producer
Few songwriters have planted as many seeds in the public consciousness. Psychedelic Bubble Gum is very well written, told with sensitivity, insight and candor. It is an account of Harts personal and professional challenges and a voyage of spiritual discovery.JIM STRAIN, screenwriter (Jumanji) and lecturer, UCLA Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media
A fast read loaded with practical information and terrific behind the scenes stories of how to make it in the music business. Highly recommended for aspiring songwriters and musicians everywhere.MARK WINKLER,Downbeat Magazine 2014 Jazz Male Vocalist
I read Bobbys bookI liked it! His story is so much like my own that the book is an insight into me. The journey of spiritual liberation means shedding the fear that keeps us from finding out who we really are under the masks we wear. Here, Bobby gives us a peek under the masks.PETER TORK, actor and musician, and singer/ keyboardist/bass player of The Monkees
Bobby Hart has been a very successful songwriter for many years. The story behind his success is both entertaining and compelling.CLIVE DAVIS, legendary music executive, chief creative officer of Sony Music
A fascinating story about opportunity and the cost of success. Its about a time in the music business that was magical and will never happen again. Not only a musical journey but a spiritual one as well.TOM CAPEK, studio engineer, keyboardist, composer, and producer
Is as spiritually juicy as the title suggests. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be inspired to fulfill their dreamswhether worldly or spiritual. KATIE SILCOX, author of Healthy Happy Sexy: Ayurveda Wisdom for Modern Women
The enchantment that Bobby creates in his new book is as compelling as the magic in the blink of Jeannies eyes. I was charmed by Bobby and Tommy when we worked together on the set and the retelling of those cherished years is a complete delight that Im sure you too will enjoy.BARBARA EDEN, American television icon and star of I Dream of Jeannie
Bobby explains the techniques he used to achieve great financial success. Then, he reveals how he transformed his negative habits through changing his thought patterns. His years of yoga meditation, self discipline and divine love are inspiring. This book is a fascinating story of one mans successful pursuit of happiness. DESIRE RUMBAUGH, creator of the DVD series Yoga to the Rescue, holds certifications in Iyengar and Anusara Yoga and leads retreats, workshops, and trainings worldwide.
I know you are going to be inspired reading Bobby Harts journey, turning mayhem into miracles. At Sunshine Acres Childrens Home we see miracles every day. It was so touching reading the stories he wrote about Sunshine Acres and our work with hurting children.CAROL L. WHITWORTH, President and CEO Sunshine Acres Childrens Home
During the Vietnam war, Bobby was a songwriter while I was a cadet at the Naval Academy. His advocacy to change the U. S. Constitution, allowing 18-year-olds the vote, showed his resolve to give voice to those who carried the rifle. Truly, that may have been his most poignant lyric.MICHAEL KUHNE, U. S. Naval Academy
Mr. Harts musical gifts opened the doors that allowed him to become a voice for those less privileged in our society. He distinguished him from others of his generation by seeking out a deeper meaning for his existence. Psychedelic Bubble Gum holds a life lesson that is applicable to the 21st Century: Regardless of what you accomplish, it is in the giving that we receive.HONORABLE VICTOR REYES, District Court Judge
Bobby tells the story of his life and at the same time captures the essence of the turbulent times during the 60s. As an Army Captain, I lead 18-year-old draftees in combat who now were able to vote as a result of the Let Us Vote campaign. DREW DIX, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient
Take a ride on that last train to Clarksville for an insiders view of sixties pop and the life of an iconic songwriter.PAUL WILLIAMS, singer, songwriter, actor, author, President and Chairman of the Board of ASCAP
Copyright 2015 by Bobby Hart and Glenn Ballantyne
All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher.
Page 51: How to Write a Hit Song and Sell It by Tommy Boyce, used by permission of Caroline Boyce
Page 56: Lazy Elsie Molly 1964 renewed 1992 by Morris Music, Inc.
Pp 59, 60: Come a Little Bit Closer 1964 renewed 1992 by Morris Music, Inc.
Pp 101, 255, 318: Theme From the Monkees Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Page 126: I Wanna Be Free Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Page 180: L. U. V. (Let Us Vote) Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Page 256: Chicano Father Music
This edition published by SelectBooks, Inc.
For information address SelectBooks, Inc., New York, New York.
First Edition
ISBN 978-1-59079-290-2
eISBN 978-1-5907929-1-9
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hart, Bobby.
Psychedelic bubble gum : Boyce & Hart, the Monkees, and turning Mayhem into miracles / Bobby Hart with Glenn Ballantyne. -- First edition.
pages cm
Includes index.
Summary: Songwriter, singer, and producer Bobby Hart tells how he and Tommy Boyce created many top hit songs of the sixties and seventies, enabling The Monkees to outsell The Beatles and the Rolling Stones in 196768 and Boyce and Hart to become performers and recording artists. He discusses his relationships, political activism, and his religious and spiritual journey-- Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-1-59079-290-2 (hardbound book : alk. paper) 1. Hart, Bobby. 2. Composers--United States--Biography. 3. Boyce, Tommy. 4. Monkees (Musical group) I. Ballantyne, Glenn. II. Title.
ML410.H2068A3 2015
782.421640922--dc23
[B]
2014039787
Book design by Janice Benight
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
This narrative is dedicated to
my deathless guru, Paramahansa Yogananda.
His unfathomable love and guidance that has saved my life
also promises to someday lead me to my blissful home in Spirit.
and to
My beautiful wife, friend, and spiritual partner, MaryAnn, whose love, unwavering support, assistance, and council have made an undertaking of this magnitude possible.
Contents