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The Righteous Brothers

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Righteous Brothers were an American duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. Both came from Southern California and at first played in separate groups, until in 1962 they ended up together in a new version of the Paramours. A year later they carried on as a duo. They are said to owe their name to Black marines from the El Toro base, who shouted after a performance that it was righteous, brothers. The contrast between their voices defined their sound: Medley sang the low parts with his bass-baritone, Hatfield the high ones with his tenor.

Music and breakthrough

The turning point came in 1964, when Phil Spector signed them to his label Philles. Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil wrote You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' for them, a number one in 1965 and a high point of Spector's Wall of Sound. Just Once in My Life, Unchained Melody and Ebb Tide followed. After the move to Verve in 1966 they reached the top again with (You're My) Soul and Inspiration. In 1968 the two split up, and in 1974 they returned with Rock and Roll Heaven. In 1990 Unchained Melody got a second life through the film Ghost.

Influence

The term blue-eyed soul was first attached to their music, in 1964, by Black disc jockeys. Later it became the name for all white singers who made music that was then regarded as Black. In 2003 the two were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, shortly before Hatfield's death. Medley continued in 2016 with Bucky Heard.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' and follow how Medley starts low and Hatfield comes in high later. Notice how the accompaniment grows along with them into an enormous, full sound.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: ArtistsBlue-eyed soul