Sad to report that one of the great voices of 60s pop music has died.
Terry Kirkman was 83 years old. He was the songwriter and lead singer of The Association, a classy outfit of vocalist whose many hits became part of the culture for life.
Kirkman wrote the group’s signature song, “Cherish,” a haunting uptempo ballad that was a hit in the 60 s and again with David Cassidy in the 70s. His voice can be heard prominently on the Association’s other hits like “Never My Love,” “Along Comes Mary,” and “Windy.” “Cherish” had three Grammy nominations. Bones Howe was the Association’s famous producer and he brought with him most of The Wrecking Crew to play on the records. (Howe also produced all the Fifth Dimension’s hit including their hit cover “Never My Love.”)
The Association’s Greatest Hits for a decade was part of every record collection, that’s how popular they were. Kirkman had a great pop education, too. He was “associated” with all the top pop stars in LA in the mid to late 60s like Cass Elliott and David Crosby.
The voices of The Association will be heard resonating through the universe far longer than most of today’s acts. Condolences.
