Terry Melcher facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Terry Melcher
Melcher in 1969
Background information
Birth name	Terrence Paul Jorden
Also known as	Terry Day
Born	(1942-02-08)February 8, 1942 New York City, U.S.
Died	November 19, 2004(2004-11-19) (aged 62) Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Genres	Rock pop
Occupation(s)	Record producer, session musician, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Associated acts	California Music Bruce & Terry The Byrds Paul Revere & the Raiders The Rip Chords The Beach Boys Sagittarius

Terrence Paul Melcher (born Terrence Paul Jorden; February 8, 1942 – November 19, 2004) was an American record producer, singer, and songwriter. He helped shape the sound of music in the 1960s, especially the "California Sound" and folk rock styles.

He is best known for producing the first two albums for the Byrds: Mr. Tambourine Man (1965) and Turn! Turn! Turn! (1965). He also produced many hit songs for Paul Revere & the Raiders.

Melcher was the only child of famous actress and singer Doris Day. He was adopted by her third husband, Martin Melcher. Early in his career, he recorded with surf music groups like the Rip Chords and Bruce & Terry. Later, he worked with the Beach Boys, producing their hit song "Kokomo" in 1988, which reached number one on the U.S. music charts.

Early Life and Family

Terrence Paul Jorden was born in New York City. His mother was the singer and actress Doris Day. His father was a trombonist named Al Jorden. Terry was named by his mother after a character in her favorite comic strip, Terry and the Pirates.

After his parents divorced, Terry's mother married Martin Melcher. Martin adopted Terry, and Terry took his last name. Terry went to high school in Connecticut and California. He also briefly attended college in Illinois. After Martin Melcher passed away in 1968, it was found that he had mismanaged a lot of money belonging to Doris Day.

Music Career and Productions

Melcher (left) in the studio with the Byrds' Gene Clark (center) and David Crosby in 1965.

Terry Melcher played a big part in creating the sound of 1960s surf music in California. In the early 1960s, he formed a singing duo with Bruce Johnston called Bruce & Terry. They had popular songs like "Custom Machine" and "Summer Means Fun." Melcher and Johnston also started another group, The Rip Chords, which had a Top 10 hit called "Hey Little Cobra." Bruce Johnston later joined the Beach Boys.

By the mid-1960s, Melcher worked for Columbia Records. He produced songs for the Byrds, including their hit versions of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" and Pete Seeger's "Turn! Turn! Turn!" He also produced their first two albums.

Melcher later worked with the Byrds again on albums like Ballad of Easy Rider and (Untitled). He also produced music for many other artists, including Paul Revere & the Raiders, Wayne Newton, Glen Campbell, and the Mamas & the Papas. He helped sign the band the Rising Sons, which included Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder.

Melcher also played tambourine on two songs, "That's Not Me" and "God Only Knows," for the Beach Boys' famous album Pet Sounds. He was also involved in producing the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, a big music event.

Connection to Charles Manson

In 1968, Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys introduced Terry Melcher to Charles Manson, who wanted to be a musician. Manson and his followers were staying at Wilson's house. For a while, Melcher was interested in recording Manson's music and even thought about making a film about his group.

Manson met Melcher at the house Melcher shared with his girlfriend, actress Candice Bergen. Manson auditioned for Melcher, but Melcher decided not to sign him. Melcher later stopped thinking about a documentary after seeing Manson get into a fight.

Soon after, Melcher and Bergen moved out of the house. The house was then rented to film director Roman Polanski and his wife, actress Sharon Tate. In August 1969, the house became the scene of a terrible crime committed by members of Manson's group. It was reported that Manson had visited the house looking for Melcher, but was told he had moved.

When Manson was arrested, it was widely reported that he had sent his followers to the house. Terry Melcher was very scared after these events. He hired a bodyguard and received help for his fear. He was described as one of the most frightened witnesses during the trial.

Later Years and Achievements

In the early 1970s, Melcher continued to produce albums for the Byrds. He also became involved in real estate. He was an executive producer for his mother's TV show, The Doris Day Show. He later released two of his own solo albums, Terry Melcher and Royal Flush.

In 1985, Melcher helped produce a TV show called Doris Day's Best Friends. He also worked as a director and vice president for the Doris Day Animal Foundation, which helps animals. He and his mother were very close and co-owned a hotel together in California.

In 1988, Melcher received a Golden Globe Award nomination for helping to write the song "Kokomo." He wrote it with John Phillips, Scott McKenzie, and Mike Love. The Beach Boys recorded the song, and it was featured in the 1988 movie Cocktail. "Kokomo" became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Melcher also produced the Beach Boys' 1992 album Summer in Paradise.

Death

Terry Melcher passed away on November 19, 2004, at his home in Beverly Hills, California. He had been battling melanoma, a type of cancer.

Discography