Blue-Eyed Soul Brothers: Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield
The Righteous Brothers — Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield — landed their first big hit song, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart Feb. 6, 1965: 60 years ago next Thursday.
Their First No. 1 Hit Single
In 1963, two members of Southern California-based vocal groups — Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield — decided to set out as a singing duo. They began specializing in harmonized versions of current rhythm-and-blues hits. Black Marines who frequented their shows began referring to them as “righteous brothers,” so they decided to adopt that name.
They found a degree of success, recording three albums and serving as the opening act for the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and became regulars on a weekly dance music TV series called “Shindig!.”
In 1964, famed music producer Phil Spector came across the Righteous Brothers and commissioned the husband-and-wife songwriting team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil to write a ballad for them, along the lines of the Four Tops’ “Baby I Need Your Loving.”
The first verses came together quickly, but Mann and Weil were stuck trying to come up with a chorus. That’s when Spector stepped up with “Gone, gone, gone, whoa, whoa, whoa.” Weil said she disliked that but went along with it.
Their completed demo recording was in a higher register than the final song would be. Medley said when he heard the demo, he thought: “Wow, what a great song for the Everly Brothers.” Hatfield, disappointed that his part of the vocals were in support of — rather than equal to — Medley’s, asked Spector, “What am I supposed to do while he’s singing the entire first verse?”Spector replied: “You can go directly to the bank.”
Medley said he spent about eight hours working with Spector on the lead vocal for this song, lowering the register and lowering it again. When he heard the final version, Mann thought Spector was playing the song at the wrong speed.
Medley and Hatfield continued to tour, off and on, until Hatfield’s death in 2003. Medley recruited Bucky Heard to replace him and continued to play shows. The Righteous Brothers are currently on a “farewell tour” of the U.S.
The Righteous Brothers' Single Chart History
Their Best-Known Hits
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
Philles Records
Spent two weeks at No. 1 and was declared the most-played song on American radio and TV in the 20th century by licensing organization BMI.
Just Once In My Life
Philles Record
The Righteous Brothers’ follow-up single was written by another Spector-affiliated songwriting duo, Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
Unchained Melody
Philles Record
Spector handed off production duties to Medley. Both Hatfield and Medley wanted to sing this song solo, but Hatfield won a coin toss.
(You're My) Soul & Inspiration
Verve Records
Also written by Mann and Weil, this song spent three weeks at No. 1 and ended 1966 ranked by Billboard as the year’s third-biggest single.
Rock And Roll Heaven
Capitol Records
After several years off, the duo teamed up again to sing about Jim Croce, Bobby Darin, Otis Redding and other singers who died early.
(I've Had) The Time of My Life
RCA Records
Medley teamed up with Jennifer Warnes, who had previously sung with Joe Cocker on a 1983 No. 1 hit, “Up Where We Belong.”
Two Movie Appearances That Audience Loved
Not to say they became a Hollywood cliché or anything, but the Righteous Brothers’ music went on to make three notable movie appearances ...
Paramount Pictures
In the 1986 film “Top Gun,” Tom Cruise’s character woos Kelly McGillis by singing a karaoke version of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.” Later in that film, McGillis returns the favor by playing the Righteous Brothers’ version on a jukebox.
Vestron Pictures
A year later, Medley and Jennifer Warnes sang “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” which was featured during a dance scene with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the movie “Dirty Dancing.” The song would win an Academy Award.
Paramount Pictures
And in 1990, the Righteous Brothers’ 1965 version of “Unchained Melody” was featured in another Patrick Swayze movie, “Ghost,” also starring Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg.