Bruce & Terry

Bruce & Terry were an American musical duo consisting of Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher. The pair recorded under a variety of names, most notably with the band the Rip Chords.^[1][2]

History

Johnston was a well-known session musician and Melcher (the producer of the Byrds records and the son of actress/singer Doris Day) had a minor solo career as Terry Day before becoming the youngest staff record producer in Columbia Records' history.^[1][2] In 1963, they began recording together and helped produce the album Surfin' Round the World.^[1]

While producing a "surf-frat" band called the Rip Chords, whose "Here I Stand" had reached No. 51 in early 1963, they ended up vocal arranging and singing all of the vocal parts on the band's hit "Hey Little Cobra" in 1964.^[1] The song was the first in a series of hit singles (most of which were released under the name Bruce & Terry), reaching No. 4 on the U.S. pop charts.

Johnston later joined The Beach Boys, singing on Pet Sounds and performing with them well into the 21st century, while Melcher became a full-time producer.^[1][3] Melcher died at 62 after a long battle with melanoma on November 19, 2004.^[2]

Discography

• "Don't Be Scared"

"Four Strong Winds" / "Raining in My Heart" [Columbia Records (#4-43378)]

References