Theodore "Ted" H. Meister

Theodore (Ted) H. Meister, 81, songwriter and record producer known professionally under the name of Ted Daryll, died peacefully in his sleep on March 14, 2021 in Akron, Ohio.  

Ted was born in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. on January 5, 1940 to Theodore C. and Mary (nee McEntee) Meister.  His interest in music began at an early age listening to the radio and purchasing used 78 rpm records at the local Salvation Army.  While attending Stepinac High School, in White Plains, NY he joined forces with his longtime friend Greg Gwardyak (professional name Greg Richards) and Stepinac underclassman Wes Voight (professional name Chip Taylor) to form a three piece band playing local venues and seeking recording opportunities.  While Ted was the drummer in the trio he purchased an acoustic guitar and with some guitar guidance from Greg he began writing songs which led to a staff songwriting gig with a small publishing company at 1650 Broadway in NYC; before long Ted and Greg's song “She Cried” was recorded by Jay and the Americans which rose to number 5 on Billboard's hot 100 chart in 1962.  Ted continued songwriting on his own and with others including Chip Taylor and Billy Vera (aka William McCord) another Stepanic alum.  Ted's songs were recorded by many popular  artists including Jerry Butler, Dusty Springfield, Etta James, Peggy Lee, Ike and Tina Turner, Bobby Fuller Four, The Letterman, Billy Vera, Del Shannon, Sarah Vaughan, etc.

In addition to Ted's numerous writing credits he worked as a producer for RCA Records and Polygram as well as freelance producing.  Ted's producing credits include Zager and Evans' album, In the Year 2525; Rare Silk's album, New Weave (nominated for two Grammy Awards); Bud Shank's album, A Spoonful of Jazz; Horace Silver, Retrospective; The Best of George Shearing, Vol. 2 (reissue); The Best of Stan Kenton, etc.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Haven of Rest Ministry, 175 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44308.  www.havenofrest.org

Ted is survived by his daughter, Karalyn Bord (Kevin); grandson, Casimir and granddaughters, Satya and Sonja of Akron, OH; brothers, Kenn Meister (Linda); nephews, David and Kenny, and niece, Laura of Lakewood, CO; and Ray Meister (Maggie), nephews, Erik and Karl of Norfolk VA.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road, Akron, OH  44333.

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