Recollections of the Righteous Brothers
Episode 4 of my future memoir - I Never Slept With the Band
From a backstage pass to a cabaret lounge in Reno, my journey with the Righteous Brothers spans decades. Bill Medley’s voice is still mesmerizing, but does his latest album deliver the magic?
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Recently, I bought Bill Medley’s new February released album, Straight From the Heart—a country lineup of cover songs. When I first skimmed the track list, I spotted several of my favorites and couldn’t wait to hear how Bill’s soulful voice would handle them.
On the first listen, I was surprised—and, honestly, a bit disappointed. It wasn’t Medley’s voice that let me down, but the arrangements. Most of the songs are deep, dark, mournful country tunes about lost love and broken hearts. (Because, as we all know, country music thrives on emotional devastation.)
Take Please Help Me I’m Falling—a song I’ve heard covered by everyone from Johnny Burnette to Bobby Darin and the Everly Brothers. Hank Locklin had the original release in 1960, and since then, it’s been covered over 116 times. With that many versions floating around, you’d think there’d be room for a fresh take. But Medley’s rendition slowed the tempo down so much, it felt less like a plea for love and more like a resigned sigh of heartbreak. While his voice was as rich as ever, it lacked the passion I wanted.
Not all was lost, though. Every album has at least a couple of standouts. One that truly hit home was Sweet Music Man—a sad, poignant ballad with a melody that lingered. It almost felt like a biographical song, tracing the path of a musician who wonders if he’s becoming irrelevant as he ages. In an interview, Bill mentioned these songs resonated with him, particularly as someone who has been through divorce. (And let’s be honest—this kind of heartache isn’t exclusive to men.)
Another bright spot was Let It Be Me. Medley delivers a solid performance, but let’s be real—it will always be an Everly Brothers song in my heart. That said, his rendition is strong enough to make me press replay.
Then there’s These Days, a duet with Vince Gill. Medley’s deep baritone—gravelly but still powerful—pairs beautifully with Gill’s smooth tenor. Their voices together remind me a little of the dynamic he had with Bobby Hatfield.
All this got me reminiscing about the time I met the Righteous Brothers when I was just a young girl in Texas…
A Teen Journalist’s Gambit
I grew up in the southern part of El Paso, Texas, not far from the Mexico border. Down the road was the El Paso County Coliseum, the place where major musical acts played concerts in the ’60s and ’70s. On November 10, 1966, the Righteous Brothers were set to perform there—and I was ecstatic. Their songs, their voices, their harmonies? Absolutely magical.
Now, I was armed with a very official teen magazine reporter press card. (The emphasis is mine—because, let’s be honest, that magazine never published a single article I sent them. But hey, they issued me a card, so I was going to use it!)
Dressed in my Petula Clark-inspired paisley-print suit—straight skirt, jacket, lace trim at the collar and wrists—I marched up to the entrance, flashed my card with confidence, and announced I was here to interview Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. And what do you know? It worked. I breezed backstage.
Once inside, I mingled with some of the crew while waiting for the duo to arrive. When they finally walked in, I couldn’t miss Bill Medley—his suit hung on a hanger over his shoulder, and Bobby Hatfield trailed behind, looking less than thrilled. Bobby’s face was practically announcing “Not today.”
Bill paused when he saw me standing there and greeted me warmly. I introduced myself and asked if they had time for a quick interview. Bobby didn’t say much—he beelined for the dressing room (or green room), and I had a feeling he wasn’t feeling great. Bill graciously invited me inside, and I took a seat across from him.
“Excuse Bobby,” he told me. “He’s not feeling well.”
I could only assume the poor guy was fighting off something unpleasant. But Bill? He was an absolute gentleman—charming, kind, and genuinely engaged in our conversation. We chatted about the tour (El Paso was only their third stop), the enthusiastic crowds they’d performed for, and the smooth sailing thus far—well, except for Bobby’s current situation.
Eventually, Bobby emerged looking significantly better, and he joined in for a few minutes before they both had to get ready for the show. I thanked them, told them I was looking forward to their performance, and walked out feeling incredibly lucky to have spent time with the Righteous Brothers.
Then came the concert itself.
A Night of Musical Magic
The El Paso Coliseum was huge, seating about 6,500 people. Originally built for rodeo events, it hosted everything from hockey games to ice shows to concerts. The place was packed with young fans dressed in bell-bottoms, mini skirts, and everything in between.
I don’t remember every song they performed, but they covered their greatest hits—You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’, Unchained Melody, Soul and Inspiration, and Little Latin Lupe Lu. Bobby, being the trooper that he was, powered through Unchained Melody despite whatever had been plaguing him earlier.
Unlike the elaborate, pyrotechnic-filled concerts we see today, the show was simple—two talented singers, a band behind them, and front lighting. But that was enough. Hearing them live was magical, and the crowd absolutely adored them.
For me, the night wasn’t just about the music; it was about that rare, wonderful feeling of meeting someone you admire and finding out they’re just as gracious and kind as you’d hoped.
Paths Cross Again
Fast-forward to May 24, 1987—Harrah’s Cabaret in Reno, Nevada. Unlike the vast Coliseum, this was a cozy cocktail lounge seating about a hundred people. My friend and I had an intimate view of Bill Medley’s performance.
By then, Bill had traded in his sharp ’60s suit for a flashier jacket with a bit of glitz. The vibe was relaxed, the audience sipped cocktails, and the show felt much more interactive. He sang both Righteous Brothers classics and his solo work, taking us on a nostalgic journey back to the ’60s.
Amazingly, he returned the following year—March 14, 1988—and we saw him again.
And here’s the kicker: Bill Medley, at 85, is still touring—this time with Bucky Heard as the Righteous Brothers. He’ll be in Las Vegas next weekend and into June and July. Will I go? Maybe not. But if he ever returns to Reno? You can bet I’ll be there.
His latest album may take some warming up to, but one thing’s for sure—it’s still Bill Medley’s incredible voice.
What about you? Were you a fan of the Righteous Brothers? Did you ever see them live? I’d love to hear your experience!