Terry Kirkman, the Association Singer and Founding Member, Dead at 83
He was the musician behind hit songs like "Cherish" and "Along Comes Mary"
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Terry Kirkman circa 1970Terry Kirkman, the singer, songwriter and founding member of the 1960s folk-rock group the Association, has died. He was 83.
On Sunday, Kirkman's death was confirmed through statement posted to the Association's Facebook page: "We're saddened 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! ❤️."
A cause of death was not disclosed.
Kirkman, who was born in Kansas in 1939, and raised in Chino, California. In 1963, he relocated with his friend Jules Gary Alexander, performing in groups with Frank Zappa. Kirkman and Alexander started the band the Inner Tubes, which would eventually feature artists like Cass Elliott and David Crosby and became a 13-piece outfit called the Men. In 1965, Kirkman formed folk-rock outfit the Association with Alexander, Russ Giguere, Ted Bluechel Jr., Brian Cole and Bob Page, before Jim Yester stepped in to take his place.
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A year later, the group released their debut album And Then… Along Comes the Association, which featured such hits including "Along Comes Mary" and "Cherish." They released seven studio albums throughout their career including Renaissance (1966), Insight Out (1967), Birthday (1968) and Stop Your Motor (1971).
The band performed at the iconic Monterrey Pop Festival in 1967 and were the first group to play that weekend.
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The Association circa 1965Kirkman penned a number of songs for the Association including "Enter the Young," "Cherish," "Requiem for the Masses" and "Six Man Band."
Throughout their tenure, the band earned six Grammy nominations, and three of them were for “Cherish” — contemporary rock and roll group performance, performance by a vocal group and contemporary rock and roll recording.
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From left: Terry Kirkman, Larry Ramos, Russ Giguere, Jim Yester, Jules Alexander, Ted Blueschell and Ric Ulsky of The Association in 1981.Related: Jimmy Buffett, 'Margaritaville' Singer, Dead at 76
Kirkman originally left the group in 1972, but returned when the band reunited in 1979. However, he departed once again in 1984.
Kirkman was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame alongside other members of the Association in 2003. According to Pitchfork, the late singer-songwriter became an addiction counselor and held a position as the clinical director of the Musicians Assistance Program, now known as MusiCares.
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He is survived by his wife Heidi, daughter Sasha, son-in-law and two grandchildren.
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