Terry Kirkman, the singer, songwriter, and one of the founding members of the folk-rock group The Association from the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 83.
The sad news of his death was confirmed in a statement posted on the Association’s Facebook page on Saturday. The statement read, “We’re added to report that Terry Kirkman passed away last night, RIP Terry. He will live on in our hearts and in the music he so brilliantly wrote. Sending hugs and lots of love to Heidi and Sasha.”
The exact reason for the death of th beloved singer Terry Kirkman was not mentioned or made public. Let’s see, the cause of the death might unfold in the coming days.
Who was Terry Kirkman?
Terry Robert Kirkman was an American musician and songwriter. He was famous for singing in the pop group The Association and for writing some of the band’s popular songs like “Cherish,” “Everything That Touches You,” and “Six Man Band.” His contributions to the Association led to their induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2023.
Terry Kirkman was born in Salina, Kansas, and grew up in Chino, California. He began learning to play brass instruments when he was a child during World War II. He later pursued music studies as a major at Chaffey College.
The Journey of The Association
In 1962, while working as a salesman in Hawaii, Kirkman met Jules Alexander, who was serving in the U.S. Navy. They decided to meet up again since Jules Alexander finished his military service.
In 1963, Kirkman moved to Los Angeles along with Jules Alexander. He also played music with Frank Zappa before Zappa created the Mothers of Invention. Together, Kirkman and Jules Alexander established a folk group known as the Inner Tubes.
This group, at one point, included both Cass Elliot and David Crosby. Over time, the Inner Tubes gradually grew from a small ensemble into a larger 13-member band called the Men.
In February 1965, the Men broke up, and Kirkman, along with five other members, decided to start their own band. To come up with a new name, they looked through a dictionary and settled on “The Association,” a suggestion from Kirkman’s fiancee.
The Association became well known shortly after with hit songs like “Cherish” and “Along Comes Mary” from their first album called “And Then…Along Comes the Association”, released in 1966.
Kirkman lent his voice to several songs, such as “Never My Love,” “Cherish,” and “Everything That Touches You”. He also sang with the group at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. One of his songs, “Requiem for the Masses,” was inspired by the Vietnam War and had vocals reminiscent of a requiem.
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Kirkman departed from the Association at the end of 1972, and he rejoined when the band got back together in 1979, following an earlier breakup in the year before. However, due to the rigors of touring, Kirkman eventually left the band again in 1984.
Occasionally, he made appearances with the band on special occasions. He was present when he and other surviving members of the Association were honored with induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003. He also attended the Rock Justice Awards ceremony on January 18, 2019, held at Village Studios in Los Angeles, where the band received an award.
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