Terry Melcher
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Terrence P. "Terry" Melcher (born Terrence P. Jorden, February 8, 1942 – November 19, 2004) was an American musician and record producer who was instrumental in shaping the California Sound and American West Coast rock music, particularly during the nascent counterculture era. Melcher is also known for his involvement with murder-conspirator Charles Manson, being one of the targets of the Manson Family during the late 1960s.
He was born the only child of actress/singer Doris Day; his father was Day's first husband Al Jorden. Melcher's major contributions were producing the Byrds' first two albums Mr. Tambourine Man (1965) and Turn! Turn! Turn! (1965), as well as most of the hit recordings of Paul Revere & the Raiders and the Gentle Soul. In the 1960s, Melcher was acquainted with the Beach Boys, helping connect Brian Wilson to Smile lyricist Van Dyke Parks. Melcher later produced several singles for the Beach Boys between the 1980s and the 1990s, including "Kokomo" (1988), which topped US record charts.