Terry Melcher / Jacques Levy / Henry “Tommy” Vaden / Bruce Palmer / Johnny Faulk

The son of Doris Day, Terry Melcher made a name for himself in Los Angeles’ 1960s music scene. He went from doing surf music to producing the Byrds’ classic recordings. Among the other acts he worked with were Paul Revere & the Raiders and the Ry Cooder/Taj Mahal band Rising Sons. He died November 19 from cancer at age 62.

A well-known theater director and lyricist, Jacques Levy also found success in the rock world through his collaborations with Bob Dylan and Roger McGuinn. Levy co-wrote such songs as “Hurricane”, “Mozambique” and “Chestnut Mare.” He was 69 when he died September 30 from cancer.

Fiddler Henry “Tommy” Vaden performed with such country legends as Bob Wills, Webb Pierce and Faron Young, but his lasting legacy was as Hank Snow’s fiddler. He retired from playing after Snow’s death in 1999. Vaden passed away October 11 at age 79.

Bassist Bruce Palmer was an original member of Buffalo Springfield. Prior to co-founding that band, he played in the early ’60s Toronto group the Mynah Birds, which also included Rick James and Neil Young. Palmer died October 1 at age 58 from a heart attack.

Bassist Johnny Faulk of long-running Louisiana roots band the Hackberry Ramblers died October 17 at age 79.