Terry Melcher
b. 8 February 1942, New York City, New York, USA, d. 1991. The son of actress/singer Doris Day the artist's early recordings, credited to Terry Day, presaged his period as the youngest ever staff producer with the Columbia/ CBS label. He brought singer Bruce Johnston to the company for SURFIN’ ’ROUND THE WORLD (1963), and together the pair oversaw the career of the Rip Chords, before recording a series of excellent singles as Bruce And Terry. Melcher's concurrent productions for Paul Revere And The Raiders proved particularly fruitful, engendering US Top 10 singles Kicks, Hungry and Good Thing (all 1966) and a run of eight consecutive albums. However, it is for work with the Byrds that this period is best recalled, and his empathetic skills enhanced the groups’ early folk-rock sets, MR. TAMBOURINE MAN and TURN! TURN! TURN!, as well as later selections, BALLAD OF EASY RIDER, UNTITLED and BYRDMANIAX. In 1973, group members Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman and Clarence White joined Johnston and Ry Cooder on TERRY MELCHER, but this introspective set failed to rise above cult status. The artist subsequently established his own label, Equinox, a name derived from an earlier production company. He enjoyed a measure of success with David Cassidy, but Terry's attempt to rekindle his solo career with ROYAL FLUSH proved less rewarding. In 1978, Melcher, who many believe was the intended victim of the infamous Sharon Tate murders, left the US for Britain, reportedly in fear of his life from the remnants of the Charles Manson tribe. He has subsequently remained out of the limelight.