Bruce & Terry
| Company type | Duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Founder | Bruce Johnston, Terry Melcher |
| Defunct | 1965 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Rock music recordings |
Bruce & Terry was a rock duo originating from Los Angeles, active during the years 1963 to 1965. The pair consisted of producers Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher, both affiliated with Columbia Records. They recorded under multiple aliases, most prominently collaborating with the group the Rip Chords. Their joint efforts diminished after 1965; however, both maintained involvement in the Beach Boys' projects, contributing to albums such as Pet Sounds (1966), Still Cruisin' (1989), and Summer in Paradise (1992).
History
Johnston, known for his work as a session musician, and Melcher, who pursued a brief solo career under the name "Terry Day," were among Columbia's youngest producers. They commenced their partnership in 1963, playing a key role in producing the album Surfin' Round the World.
While producing the surf-themed band the Rip Chords, whose track "Here I Stand" reached number 51 on the charts in early 1963, they arranged and performed all vocal parts for the successful single "Hey Little Cobra" in 1964. This release, primarily credited to Bruce & Terry, climbed to number 4 on the U.S. pop charts.
The duo's collaboration effectively ended when Johnston became a member of The Beach Boys, contributing to Pet Sounds and performing with them well into the new millennium. Meanwhile, Melcher dedicated himself to production full-time. Despite this, they occasionally worked together until Melcher passed away from melanoma at age 62 on November 19, 2004.
Discography
Bruce & Terry singles
- "Custom Machine" / "Makaha at Midnight" (Columbia 4-42956, 1964) – US No. 85
- "Summer Means Fun" / "Yeah!" (Columbia 4-43055, 1964) – US No. 72
- "I Love You Model 'T'" / "Carmen" (Columbia 4-43238, 1965) – US No. 107
- "Raining in My Heart" / "Four Strong Winds" (Columbia 4-43378, 1965)
- "Thank You, Baby" / "Come Love" (Columbia 4-43479)
- "Girl, It's Alright Now" / "Don't Run Away" (Columbia 4-43582, 1966)
- "Take It To Mexico (Tulsa County Blue)" / "Rebecca" (RCA Victor NB-10238, 1975)
Bruce & Terry albums
- Rare Masters (M&M MMCD 1001, 1992)
- The Best of Bruce & Terry (Sundazed SC 11052, 1998)
Rip Chords singles featuring Bruce and Terry
- 1962–63: "Here I Stand" (lead vocals by Bringas) b/w "Karen" (lead vocals by Stewart), Billboard #51
- 1963: "Gone" (Bringas lead) b/w "She Thinks I Still Care" (Bringas lead), Billboard #88
- 1963–64: "Hey Little Cobra" (Melcher lead) b/w "The Queen" (Melcher lead), Billboard #4
- 1964: "Three Window Coupe" (Melcher lead) b/w "Hot Rod U.S.A." (Melcher lead), Billboard #28
- 1964: "One Piece Topless Bathing Suit" (lead vocals by Melcher and Bringas) b/w "Wah-Wahini" (Melcher lead), Billboard #96
- 1965: "Don't Be Scared" (Melcher lead) b/w "Bunny Hill" (instrumental by The Wrecking Crew)
Additional albums featuring both Bruce and Terry
- Surfin' 'Round the World (1963) – solo album by Bruce Johnston
- Hey Little Cobra and Other Hot Rod Hits (Columbia, February 1964) – Rip Chords album, peaked at #56 on Billboard
- Three Window Coupe (Columbia, September 1964) – Rip Chords album
- Pet Sounds (Capitol, May 16, 1966) – album by The Beach Boys
- The Beach Boys (Caribou, June 10, 1985)
- Still Cruisin' (Capitol, August 28, 1989)
- Summer in Paradise (Brother, August 3, 1992)
- Summer U.S.A.! The Best of the Rip Chords (Sundazed, June 27, 2006)