Terry Melcher circa 1974.
Terrence P. "Terry" Melcher (February 8, 1942 – November 19, 2004) was an American musician and record producer, who was instrumental in shaping the sound of American West Coast rock music. His greatest contribution to the culture of the time was producing The Byrds' innovative cover hits "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!", and his work with The Beach Boys.
He was the only child of actress/singer Doris Day.
Melcher was born Terrence P. Jorden in New York City to trombonist Al Jorden and his wife, singer-actress Doris Day. Known as "Terry",[1] the boy was named by his mother after the hero of her favorite childhood comic strip, Terry and the Pirates.[2]
Before the birth, Day was planning to leave the abusive, violent Jorden. Outraged when he found out about her pregnancy, Jorden had demanded that Day get an abortion. Shortly after giving birth, Day filed for divorce, left the boy with her mother in Ohio, and went back to touring with big band leader Les Brown. After the divorce, Jorden visited his son infrequently and had little presence in his life.
After divorcing her second husband, saxophonist George Weidler, Day married Martin Melcher, who would become her manager and produce many of her films.
Melcher adopted Terry, giving the child his surname. (NOTE: while showing concern for Terry in front of Doris---Terry later said Melcher abused him when Doris was not around.)
After Martin Melcher's death in 1968, Day discovered that he had mismanaged or embezzled $20 million of her money.
On November 19, 2004, Terry Melcher died at his home of melanoma, after a long illness. He was 62 and was survived by his wife, Terese, his son, Ryan Melcher, and his mother, Doris Day.[11]