13th Post: Righteous Bros.

1950 and 1960s MUSIC GROUP:

I will use this thirteenth post to add one more artist with a last name ending with R: The Righteous Brothers…

Righteous Brothers 1962-71

An American duet, from LA, featuring Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. Bill and Bobby were in different groups before they met. Hatfield was in the Variations out of Anaheim, CA. Medley was in the Paramours from Santa Ana. Barry Rillera, who was in Hatfield’s band, suggested that Bill and Bobby go see each others show and then perform together. The rest is history. Bill and Bobby formed the new Paramours which recorded one song together: “She’s Walking Away” (https://youtu.be/zkK_894ylEY) (RQ 7). The group failed to have success, so they made up their duet and the Righteous Brothers in 1963. Medley and Hatfield had contrasting singing styles…Medley sung the low parts with his base- baritone voice. Hatfield took on the high register with his tenor voice. Their first major hit was: “You’ve Lost that Lovin Feelin” (https://youtu.be/xbg1gkWb0Wo) (RQ 10+). Their other notable hits in the mid-sixties were: “

“Ebb Tide” Bobby Hatfield, best tenor ever? (https://youtu.be/Uzmz9TXaglI) (RQ 10+)

“Soul and Inspiration” (https://youtu.be/1gZlmUtEMLs) (RQ 10+)

“Just Once in My Life” (https://youtu.be/Z2vMp0kJHyo) (RQ 7)

“Unchained Melody” (https://youtu.be/zrK5u5W8afc) (RQ 9)

They recorded an album in 1971 called: “Rebirth” after splitting up in 1968. After producing this album they disbanded. In the 1970s Medley had some success as a solo artist, but no songs that charted. The exception was Medley recorded “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” with Jennifer Warnes (https://youtu.be/4BQLE_RrTSU) (RQ 10) in 1988. The song won a Grammy Award for the Best Pop Performance by a Duo. In 2003, the twosome were inducted into the Rock and Roll HOF by Billy Joel.