Genres Vocal surf Active until 1965 Genre Surf music Albums The Best of Bruce & Terry | Years active 1960s (1960s) Active from 1959 | |
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Origin Los Angeles, California, United States Associated acts California Music, The Rip Chords Past members Bruce JohnstonTerry Melcher Similar Terry Melcher, Bruce Johnston, The Rip Chords, The Fantastic Baggys, Gary Usher | ||
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.
Contents
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. In 1963, they began recording together and helped produce the album Surfin' Round the World.
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. 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. Melcher died at 62 after a long battle with melanoma on November 19, 2004.
Discography
"Four Strong Winds" / "Raining in My Heart" [Columbia Records (#4-43378)]
Songs
Summer Means Fun1964
Look Who's Laughing Now1998
Custom Machine1998