Terry Melcher

About Terry Melcher

Terry Melcher (February 8, 1942 – November 19, 2004) was an American musician and record producer.

Melcher was born Terry Jorden in New York City to trombonist Al Jorden and his wife, singer/actress Doris Day. Day was only 17 years old when she gave birth to Terry. Before Terry's birth, Day was planning to leave the abusive and violent Al Jorden. Jorden was outraged when he found out about her pregnancy, and demanded Day get an abortion. Doris refused and in turn, Jorden physically abused Day throughout her entire pregnancy. Shortly after Terry's birth, Day filed for divorce, left Terry with her mother in Ohio and went back to touring with big band leader Les Brown. After the divorce, Terry's father failed to visit his son on a regular basis and had little presence in his life. Al Jorden would ultimately commit suicide years later.

Day's career led her to Hollywood where she appeared on local radio shows. After marrying and divorcing her second husband, saxophonist George Weidler, Day met and married Martin Melcher. Martin Melcher would become Day's manager and go on to produce many of her movies. Although Terry and Martin disliked each other intensely, Martin adopted Terry, giving the boy his surname.After Martin's death in 1968, it was discovered that he had mismanaged or embezzled $20 million of Doris Day's money.