The Righteous Brothers – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

The Righteous Brothers – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts
The Righteous Brothers performing at Knott’s Berry Farm. Image source: Orange County Archives, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Righteous Brothers Biography

The Righteous Brothers are a musical duo from the United States that was founded by Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield but is currently made up of Medley and Bucky Heard. In 1963, Medley and Hatfield established the band. They first played together in the Los Angeles region in 1962 as part of a five-piece group named the Paramours, and when they became a duet, they changed their name to The Righteous Brothers. Hatfield and Medley rejoined in 1981 after several years apart as a duo following Hatfield’s death in 2003, and continued to perform until Hatfield’s death in 2003. “Blue-eyed soul” is a term used to describe the music they performed.

The Righteous Brothers released three albums on the Moonglow label, one of which was issued after they joined Phil Spector and the other two were compilation albums. With Moonglow, they recorded 12 songs, although only two of them were moderate hits: “Little Latin Lupe Lu” and “My Babe” from their debut album Right Now! They opened for The Beatles on their first U.S. tour in August and September 1964. They left before the tour was completed, however, since they were requested to appear on a new television show called Shindig! They also felt underappreciated by the audience, as they were unknown on the East Coast at the time, and the public demanded to hear the Beatles while they were performing. They returned to Los Angeles to film the show’s pilot, and they would eventually feature on the show on a regular basis. Some Blue-Eyed Soul was their next album; the name “blue-eyed soul” was coined by black DJs to describe The Righteous Brothers, but after they became prominent, it became a catchall word for all white singers who sang what was then called “black music.” They opened for The Rolling Stones on their American tour in October and November 1964.

Hatfield and Medley had different vocal ranges, which helped them create a unique sound as a duo. They also both had excellent vocal skill on their own, allowing them to perform as soloists. Hatfield provided the higher-register vocals with his tenor, while Medley sang the low portions with his bass-baritone voice. His voice had risen to a countertenor range.

After a year and a half of Top 40 non-entries on Billboard’s Hot 100, the duo broke through with the release of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” a transatlantic number one produced by Phil Spector and widely regarded as one of his finest works and a landmark recording in popular music, in late 1964.

Three US Top Ten singles in 1965 – “Just Once in My Life” and covers of “Unchained Melody” (also a huge hit in 1990) and “Ebb Tide” – as well as the massive US number one in 1966 “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration” and the 1974 return smash “Rock and Roll Heaven” Hatfield and Medley each had their own solo careers at one point. Medley and Bucky Heard reformed The Righteous Brothers in 2016, and they continue to perform as a pair. In 2003, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Righteous Brothers. In 2005, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame inducted them. They were voted 16th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 20 Greatest Duos of All Time.

The Righteous Brothers Discography

Souled OutSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Sayin’ Somethin’
Go Ahead and Cry
Soul & InspirationSpotifyYouTubeAmazon
Back to BackSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Just Once in My LifeSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’SpotifyAppleYouTube
This Is New!
Some Blue-Eyed SoulSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Right NowSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Was The Righteous Brothers Biggest Hit?

The Righteous Brothers biggest hit was “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.” The song was released in 1965 and reached the top of the charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, but The Righteous Brothers version is still considered to be the definitive version.

What Is Considered The Righteous Brothers ‘S Best Album?

The Righteous Brothers are a musical duo whose best album is considered to be their 1965 release, Just Once in My Life. The album includes their hit singles “Just Once in My Life” and “Ebb Tide”. It peaked at number twelve on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

What Is The Righteous Brothers ‘S Most Famous Song?

The Righteous Brothers are most famous for their song “Unchained Melody”, which was written by Alex North and Hy Zaret. The song was originally recorded in 1955 by Al Hibbler, but The Righteous Brothers’ version, which was released in 1965, is the one that is most widely known. It has been covered by many other artists over the years, but The Righteous Brothers’ version is still considered to be the definitive version.

What Was The Righteous Brothers ‘S First Album?

The Righteous Brothers’ first album was “Just Once in My Life,” which was released in 1965. The album peaked at number 22 on the Billboard 200 chart and included the hit single “Just Once in My Life.

What Is Genre Of The Righteous Brothers?

The Righteous Brothers are considered a pop music duo, though their sound has been described as blue-eyed soul, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues. They had a string of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, including “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” (1964), “Ebb Tide” (1965), and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven” (1974). They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

Most Searched For Righteous Brothers Songs

Unchained MelodySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
You’ll Never Walk AloneSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Time of My LifeSpotifyAppleYouTube
Stand BySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Little Latin Lupe LuSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Great PretenderSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Ebb TideSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon