Terry Melcher, an esteemed music producer, is well-remembered for having a remarkable impact on the Californian beach and surf music scene during the 1960s. He collaborated with renowned music artists including The Byrds and Wayne Newton to shape the music of the era. Contribution highlight include not only playing the tambourine for several Beach Boys tracks, but also co-authoring their popular song ‘Kokomo’. However, the ripples of Melcher’s existence in the fabric of music history extend further and include notably darker associations.
Apart from his significant contribution to music, Melcher is recognized for his unsettling connection with the infamous cult leader and serial murderer, Charles Manson. This connection emerged shortly before the tragic killings of actress Sharon Tate and four others by members of Manson’s so-called ‘family’. Intriguingly, just months before these brutal events, Melcher vacated the exact residence where the victims were murdered, in response to the advice his mother, the iconic actress Doris Day, had given him.
Terry Melcher, born to Doris Day — a prolific movie star of the 1950s and 1960s Hollywood scene — held the unique distinction of being her sole progeny. His venture into the music domain can be traced to the mid-1960s when he took on a role as producer at Columbia Records. At the recording company, his interactions with The Byrds left a significant mark on the musical band.
Melcher’s contribution to The Byrds’ music was substantial, leading to the creation of some of their most well-loved songs. His support was instrumental in crafting their acclaimed renditions of Bob Dylan’s ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ and Pete Seeger’s ‘Turn, Turn, Turn’. Stars of the era such as Paul Revere and the Raiders, the Mamas and Papas, and Glen Campbell also saw their careers boosted through collaboration with Melcher.
In addition to his work with various luminaries in music, Melcher had frequent collaborations with his mother, Doris Day. He lent his creative abilities to pen songs for a number of Day’s projects. His writing credits include ‘Move Over, Darling’ which was created specifically for Day’s movie of the same name which also starred James Garner in 1963.
Despite being immersed in the respectable realm of conventional music, Melcher’s path crossed with the notorious Charles Manson through a somewhat serendipitous series of events. It started with the Beach Boys co-founder Dennis Wilson offering a ride to a couple of hitchhikers in Malibu in 1968. As the relationship between Wilson and the women deepened, they introduced him to their ‘spiritual guru’, Charles Manson.
Wilson’s relationship with Manson soon grew, leading to regular social interactions between Wilson, Manson, and his ‘family’. Beach Boys member Mike Love elaborated on this bizarre relationship and revealed that Wilson had seemingly fallen ‘under the spell’ of Manson. Love recalls attending a dinner gala at Wilson’s house, an event which saw the somewhat incongruous presence of the Manson family.
Manson harbored ambitions of a music career and sought a recording contract. His growing connections within the industry, established during social gatherings, put him in touch with Melcher. In Manson’s own words from his 1994 book, he mentioned meeting ‘Terry Melcher … and several others who liked my music enough to want to record and market me and my material.’
Among the compositions that Manson claimed to have penned was a track called ‘Cease to Exist’, which was later rebranded by Beach Boys as ‘Never Learn Not To Love’. Wilson stated in a 1971 interview that whilst Manson did not seek any visible credit for the song, he did, however, insist on a monetary reward.
Melcher was known to host social gatherings attended by famous personalities and members of the music band. These parties held at his and his partner, actress Candace Bergen’s estate in the Benedict Canyon area, often included Manson among the guests. In 1969, Melcher, upon what Love speculates was likely a favor to Wilson, visited Manson at his home, known as Spahn Ranch.
During this visit to Spahn Ranch, Manson saw an opportunity to showcase his singing abilities for Melcher, effectively auditioning for a recording contract. Love, in his memoirs, noted that Melcher wasn’t moved by Manson’s musical performance. Consequently, Manson’s aspirations for a recording contract with Melcher were not realized, a setback he did not take lightly.
In early 1969, Melcher vacated his estate, complying with his mother’s insistence. Subsequently, the house was leased out to actress Sharon Tate and her husband, renowned movie director Roman Polanski. A few months later, on August 9, 1969, the location became a gruesome scene when several members of the Manson ‘family’ savagely murdered Sharon Tate, then pregnant, and four other occupants.
In the ensuing murder trail of Manson, it was proposed by the prosecution that Melcher’s denial of a recording contract to Manson provided a motive for the gruesome murders. The prosecution also argued that Manson’s animosity towards Melcher, coupled with the belief that Melcher still resided at the estate, led him to orchestrate the dreadful massacre there.
However, revelations emerged later suggesting that Manson was aware of Melcher’s relocation prior to the killings. Despite the clarity these investigations provided, Melcher’s close brush with the violent Manson ‘family’ had undoubtedly left a lasting impact on him.
Terry Melcher’s life took a tragic turn in 2004 when he succumbed to his long-standing battle with cancer. His life will not only be remembered for his contributions to 1960s music but also for his eerie connection with Charles Manson, which haunted him till the end of his days.