Psychedelic Bubble Gum: Boyce & Hart, the Monkees, and Turning Mayhem Into Miracles

From the man who wrote the songs that outsold the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in 1967-1968, comes the story of the first decades of his life in Hollywood and New York. 

Immerse yourself in Grammy, Golden Globe, and Academy Award nominated songwriter Bobby Hart’s world as he shares the story behind his success; from humble beginnings comes a musical goliath.

Psychedelic Bubble Gum is an exclusive glimpse into Hart’s personal journey as he moves on the fast track to fame. This vivid narrative follows Hart’s gradual rise in the music industry as half of the duo Boyce and Hart, as he and his friend and partner Tommy Boyce wrote the songs that launched the Monkees to stardom, and eventually reaching over a hundred million in sales. Along the way is all the heartbreak and drama that accompanies fame and fortune―an uprooted life, conflicted morals, and the sacrifice of his wholesome high school sweetheart Becky.

With unbending sincerity, Hart details a life of extravagance, betrayal, loss, disillusionment, and an unstoppable personal struggle to find spiritual balance, peace, and love. Psychedelic Bubble Gum is a rollercoaster ride through the 1960s and 1970s during America’s whirlwind era of free speech, mysticism, and psychedelic pop culture, and, of course, rock ‘n’ roll. Packed with intimate behind-the-scenes encounters with pop star royalty, Psychedelic Bubble Gum is tempered by humor, honesty, and a singular understanding of the industry,

Bobby Hart has been called one of the world’s most prolific, successful and influential songwriters. As an Academy Award, Golden Globe and Grammy Award-nominated composer he has sung, written and/or produced highly successful songs for himself as well as bands like the Monkees. Hart wrote his first two top ten songs in 1964 with his best-known writing partner, Tommy Boyce. The duo wrote Hurt So Bad, Come A Little Bit Closer and Not Your Steppin’ Stone as well as the Monkees first hit single, Last Train to Clarksville and album, The Monkees. They also made numerous songs for television and motion pictures and spearheaded the Let Us Vote campaign, lobbying Congress to lower the voting age to eighteen. Bobby continues to write and administer his music publishing interests, while devoting more time and energy to his commitment to meditation, service to others, and public speaking. As a result of writing his memoir, Bobby has developed various keynote speeches and seminars.

Glenn Ballantyne is a writer and entrepreneur. His songs and video productions are played around the world as well as his marketing and advertising plans. Glenn is actively involved in non-profit humanitarian organizations such as hospitals, children’s care centers, animal shelters, libraries, schools, economic development organizations and spiritual events.

After graduating from college with degrees in sociology and music, Glenn’s professional life began in the early 1970’s as a contract songwriter in Hollywood. Later Glenn opened an advertising agency that Colorado Business Magazine has recognized as “one of the best companies in Colorado to do business with”. Mr. Ballantyne earned the degree of Kriyaban in 1975 through the Lessons available from Paramahansa Yogananda’s Self-Realization Fellowship. Glenn began delivering keynote speeches and seminars in 1976 at universities and colleges. Today, Glenn writes books, creates web-based classroom learning programs and delivers speeches and corporate training with his mentor and friend Bobby Hart.

George Michael "Micky" Dolenz, Jr. is an American actor, musician, television director, radio personality and theater director, best known as the drummer and lead singer of the 1960s pop/rock music band the Monkees.