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Terry Melcher dies


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Surf music producer Terry Melcher dies

Terry Melcher, a producer, composer and songwriter who worked with the Beach Boys and helped shape the 1960s-era California surf music sound, has died aged 62.

Mr Melcher, son of actress-singer Doris Day, also produced several hits for the Byrds including Mr Tambourine Man.

He died at his Beverly Hills home after a long battle with cancer.

Ms Day was unavailable for comment.

He began his career as Terry Day, capitalising on his mother's famous name.

He later became known in his own right, singing background tracks, writing lyrics, playing piano, composing and producing.

Melcher teamed with future Beach Boy Bruce Johnston in the early 1960s.

The duo eventually formed the group the Rip Chords, who recorded the 1964 hit Hey, Little Cobra.

He also wrote songs with Bobby Darin and Randy Newman.

It was not until the mid-1960s, when he joined Columbia Records as a producer, that he made his mark on the California sound.

He was instrumental in helping craft the Byrds' groundbreaking fusion of rock and folk and produced several of the group's hits including their versions of Bob Dylan's Mr Tambourine Man and Pete Seeger's Turn, Turn, Turn.

Mr Melcher also co-wrote the hit Kokomo for the Beach Boys.

The song, used in the movie Cocktail, was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1988 for best original song.

During his career Mr Melcher also worked with Paul Revere and the Raiders, Taj Mahal, Ry Cooder, Glen Campbell, Gram Parsons and the Mamas and the Papas, among others.

He later worked more frequently with his mother.

From 1968 to 1972, he served as the executive producer of her Doris Day Show.

Mr Melcher is survived by his mother, his wife Terese and one son Ryan.

- Reuters

UncleJoe told me the new, I just post this from the web.

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Melcher once rented the home where actress Sharon Tate and a group of her friends were murdered by Manson followers. Rumors circulated that Melcher, who knew Manson, was the real target because he had turned Manson down for a record contract.

Los Angeles police discounted the rumors. Melcher had since moved to Malibu, and police established that Manson knew of his new address.

And that too... it´s from another agency.

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