Bruce & Terry was an American rock music duo from Los Angeles that was active from 1963 to 1965. Consisting of Columbia Records staff producers Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher, the pair recorded under a variety of names, and most notably with the band the Rip Chords.[1][2] After 1965, Johnston and Melcher reduced their collaborations together, but both producers continued to occasionally contribute to tracks by the Beach Boys, including on the albums Pet Sounds (1966), Still Cruisin' (1989), and Summer in Paradise (1992).
Johnston was a session musician and Melcher 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.[citation needed]
The duo virtually disbanded when Johnston 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] The two occasionally worked on projects together until Melcher died at 62, after a long battle with melanoma, on November 19, 2004.[2]
Discography
Bruce & Terry singles
"Custom Machine" / "Makaha at Midnight" (Columbia 4-42956, 1964) – No. 85 US
"Summer Means Fun" / "Yeah!" (Columbia 4-43055, 1964) – No. 72 US
"I Love You Model 'T'" / "Carmen" (Columbia 4-43238, 1965) -- No. 107 US
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