I was a little Black girl when this came out and this song was considered to be comparable to the Motown sound. They, like Elvis, were categorized as blue-eyed souls, which was an honorary title considering the times.
This is called blue-eyed soul. These guys were the best. Bobby Hatfield with his beautiful tenor voice & Bill Medley with his deeper voice. They were magic together. And remember this is done live. No auto-tuning crap like today. And the songs had meaningful beautiful lyrics. Other great songs by them is "Unchained Melody", "Soul & Inspiration", "Just Once In My Life", "Ebb Tide", "Rock & Roll Heaven" etc.
@dagmars.6954 : The vocals on this TH-cam clip are NOT "done live". They are - from / the same - as the original studio recording session vocals as heard on their hit single. Here are the actual LIVE vocals from this January 1965 appearance on "SHINDIG" : th-cam.com/video/03iSUjHaUxY/w-d-xo.html
This was the most played song on the radio in the 20th century. It held number 1 on Billboard for 16 weeks. I was a sophomore in High School when this came out. At a time when rock n roll was exploding with the Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, etc.; this great duo held their own at the top of the charts. Saw them live twice, and Bill Medley as a soloist at his own club in the late 70's. They were dynamic and exceptional on stage, and are one of my all time favorite artists.
16 weeks?! No offense meant here, but most sources, including the Billboard Hot 100 history, show this song/artist was at Billboard #1 position for only 2 weeks in February 1965. It appears they were officially on the Billboard chart for maybe 8 weeks in different positions during it's run. The Hall and Oats version in the early 1980's reached #12 Billboard Hot 100 chart. But you've got one up on me, I never saw them live!
Iconic Blue Eyed Soul...they don’t make music like that anymore. 60’s & 70’s two of the greatest decades of music...ever! PERIOD! 😎👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Bobby has always been described as a gentleman by folks who met him, especially the ladies. Guess Bill was too, but I don't recall comments talking about it.
A Marine in attendance at a nightclub performance early in their career unknowingly gave them the name. As they poured their souls out into a song, he jumped up and shouted "that's righteous, brothers!" Their style was unique, and eventually a DJ coined the term "blue-eyed soul" to describe them!
They were coined "blue-eyed soul" because of their soulful voices. You are witnessing true vocal talent, showmanship, class and style; each singing and complimenting the other. I was 9-years old in December 1964 when they debut this song on the TV show Shindig. Our entire family was quiet, everyone hanging on each note. We didn't know it at the time, but we were watching history being made. Back in those days, a 45 rpm cost $1 and so did a great burger with all the fixins. So, the burger or the record? If you bought the record instead of the burger, it was a hit! Believe.
I remember when I first heard this. I had to pull off the road and listen. Tell you what this song got to me and they're ain't many songs that could do that. Medley is still with us at 83yo. He of course like many 83 year olds has seen a lotta sadness and losing Hatfield was probably one of them.
Bright Angel - as an older man in my mid-70s, I can tell you that songs and young men today don't express their love, feelings, and respect for the fantastic gift of a woman's love in the same way. It's sad because nothing is more precious than the love of the woman you love.
There will never be another Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield! Pure, raw, God Almighty given talent! This is when real music was made. Love this stuff! Thanks for a great reaction to such an iconic duo!
Just watched a great documentary on the making of this incredible song. Legendary producer Phil Spector knew this incredible song would be big so he took his time to get it just right. Took over 2 months and 39 takes to do so He couldn't have been righter concerning the songs popularity. The Dynamic Duo never disappointed. Definitely thee greatest duo ever in my opinion.
I was 80's kid so the first time i heard this song was actually in a very iconic scene in the movie Top Gun. Since then it has become one of my favourite songs of all time!
As unknowns, they played small gigs across the country. While in the south at a predominantly black bar, after their show they got a huge ovation. Some man yelled out... "That's righteous brother!" The rest is history... The Righteous Brothers.
Regarding the comment above, while you are drop dead gorgeous I am 72 , so I can only say you are very cute, like one of my grandchildren,,lol@@MaddyReactions
@@josephscally6270 I'm 67 and I agree, and I wouldn't want anyone to drop dead just because they look beautiful to someone. "Attractive" would be a more courteous way to put it.
not brothers. they were touring somewhere down south and an African American gentleman said those brothers can sing, they're righteous! hence their new name at that point, legend has it!
It was at a club in Santa Ana, Orange county, CA called Jon's Black Derby. The guy(s) who started calling them righteous brothers was a Marine from the El Toro Marine base, also in Orange county. In the video from the Andy Williams show where Bobby says down south, he's referring to south of where he was standing (Burbank). When they recorded Little Latin Lupe Lu as a duo, they needed a name since it wasn't the whole group. Bobby suggested they use the name the Marines were calling them. They figured why not it wasn't going to be a hit anyway. 😄
Maddy, you're so right, this is pure, unadulterated talent. Bill's thundering baritone, and Bobby's flowing tenor were special together. Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield were not biological brothers. It's just a nickname. Bobby has since passed away, but Bill is still alive. Next on your list from these guys should be "Soul & Inspiration". It'll uncurl your hair!😁
@@MaddyReactions Bill Medley is still alive ought to check out the duet he did with Jennifer Warnes for movie dirty dancing called I've had the time of my life.
This is the music of my youth and was played on the radio constantly back then. Many people at the time thought the Righteous Brothers were black until they saw them. No they weren’t using auto tune but there is some manipulation of the sound and tons of reverb which enhances the Bro’s natural abilities. It’s nice to see young people appreciate this music and I must say Maddy is an intelligent and attractive young woman.
so many movies this has been in, Top Gun (Tom cruise sings it), they also did the song during the famous love scene in Ghost with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze.
My old girlfriend was in Vegas when she was about 30 and she and her mother went to see the Righteous Brothers. Bill Medley came down into the audience and took her by the hand and took her up onstage and sung a love song to her. Yes, she was (and I think still is) that beautiful!!
I didn't know this platform existed on TH-cam or I would have been watching these reactions sooner. I love it that the generations after mine get a chance to experience the significance and extraordinary talent of this Duo. Some of those reacting are getting chills and tearing up and can't fully understand why when they try to express what they are feeling: It's the presence of greatness and you all are keeping it alive. Rock On!
The most played song of the 20th Century according to BMI 👍🏻 The Righteous Brothers were easily once of the best vocal groups in the history of the Recording Industry.
"Makes me just feel like crying ..." Without love the human flower wilts. It's how we're built and grounded, a fact of life that yields fulness of life. So if it's gone, gone, gone, you sing your heart out to get it back, back, back. Imagine a universe without love. Kinda makes you wonder where it came from it in the first place.
They weren't really brothers. The taller one with the deep voice is Bill Medley. The other one was Bobby Hatfield, who is no longer with us. They acquired their name when someone who heard them early in their career said, "those brothers are righteous!"
@@MaddyReactions You may have heard Bill Medley sing the duet for the movie Dirty Dancing. And Bobby Hatfield singing unchained melody is in Ghost. Both movies star Patrick Swayze. Wow...I only just connected that. 😀
They “got” their name while they were singing in a segregated bar where black Marines would go to on leave. After their first song one of the Marines yelled out, “That was Righteous, Brother!” and the rest they say is history
Back in the day it was pure talent and they had it! They are not brothers .They got the name from a man that heard them in a club and he said that is some Righteous Brothers due to their soulful singing called blue eyed soul talent. They both sang in a formal choir .Bobby Hatfield the blonde with high pitch and Bill medley taller deeper tone voice.. I was a little boy when this came out but still love hearing it . Back then as said you had to have talent or you did not go very far or even get started. thank you
Just a quick comment on their sartorial splendor. These two had the Greatest hair of that generation! EVERYone in high school either tried to copy their style or wore an athletic cut, like the butch or flattop. And then one day... the Beatles and the Brits hit our shores... and this was instantly old hat. Such a shame, as they look sharp 60 years later !!!
The Righteous Brothers resume their residency at SouthPoint Hotel and Casino on Jan 20, 2014 in Las Vegas. Bill Medley and Bucky Heard who replaced the late-Bobby Hatfield still have it.
I remember when I was in the Navy, we were in Japan and tried to get in a karaoke bar. They wouldn't let us in unless we sang this song, because of the Top Gun movie. I just turned 49 today, and there's no way I can hit those high notes now like I did at that bar that night.
I don't remember what I was doing the first time I heard it, but in the summer of 1965 I heard it a lot as it was played on the radio all the time and my girl friend at that time loved it. So probably in my car headin down the beach at the Jersey shore.
Singers didn't need auto tune back in the day because they weren't lazy and respected their craft. The story about their name comes from when a person in the audience heard them and remarked that was righteous brother.
You explained that heartbreak really well. Been through it and it's all so confusing when it ends. You never imagined your life without them, then they're gone....
They were playing a club in the south and at the end of the show a guy said "that was rightious brother", and so the name. Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley. Bill Medely sang The Time of My Life in the film Dirty Dancing.
When this came out I was 13 yrs old and mooning over the loss of my first girlfriend. Every time I hear it it reminds me of that moment and the feelings.
Maddy...they were not brothers or related at all.I heard Bill ..the tall guy...tell the story of how they got the name.They were performing at a small club and after one of their songs a guy said from the crowd..." that was righteous brother!" and the name stuck .Your right right no auto tune back then just pure talent.. his partner passed away.R I P
Often replicated never duplicated this duo was raw talent and magical soulful delivery. Both born in 1940 but not related in other than friendship and collaboration. As a teenage boomer we loved the music and never thought it would ever end. RIP Robert (Bobby) Lee Hatfield you and your often surprising /never disappointing talent/performance are truly missed.
Just a bit of trivia, the orchestra was phill Spector wall of sound and there was 2 famous girl backing singers 1 was Darlen Love and the other was CHER ❤
Not Bothers. Bobby Hatfield tenor and Bill Medley. My sister and her girlfriend went out on a date with them in the 60s. That was just before they hit it big.
It is a sad song - but what I have learned in life is that Love is more, much more than a feeling. Feelings do come and go. But Love stays because it is a decision, and a commitment to always treat that other person with love.
(YOU'RE MY) SOUL AND INSPIRATION is another great song by the Righteous Brothers. They are not brothers. It's the name of their act. Someone remarked after one of their performances that they were some righteous brothers after hearing them sing. So, they took the name. Bill Medley, the singer with the deep voice, also sings with Jennifer Warnes on (I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. You've been a busy girl. The numbers on your channel continue to climb. Keep hustling. Stay cool. And enjoy
Two guys, a backing orchestra, no autotune that's how it was done way back then. They had a number of hits that were all over the radio back then. I even have this in my Playlist on my phone.
Now that you have been blown out of your shoes and socks you can appreciate a GREAT song. BTW, that was a chorus behind them. One of the singers was a very young Cher.
Just saw a documentary it took legendary record producer 39 takes , 2 months to get this fabulous song exactly how he wanted it we know the end result. They were the greatest duos ever in my opinion. Cher was a background singer. You need to react to more of their great songs.
" we had..." Perfectly matched in pitch, volume and timing - in the dark... No electronic aids (and pretty primitive microphones), no safety net - just talent.
My main squeeze and I had been together for almost two years when this song came out. Same year I was inducted into the Army then sent to Nam. Unchained melody played in my head keeping hope that she would wait and I could return with all my parts. Both happened and still together but with 2 kids,7grand and 9great grand. Phew, there were those times when I thought I'd never make it. Still love this music.
Saw them in 1965 in San Diego with my high school sweet heart, the love of my life Sharon. At 76 she is still the love of my life. The Righteous Brothers were truly Blue Eyed Soul at it's BEST
Haha, love it . I saw them in concert. Fantastic how someone with no prior knowledge can watch and go ok, those are Rockstars! I hope you've done some led zeppelin. Whole Lotta Love is sweet love song. Canada.
It speaks of a man who loves too much but jealousy sets in because again, when you love too much, the insecurity of losing the love of your life makes you act crazy sometimes. Listen to the beginning: “shadows of a man, a face thru windows” etc… Sometimes with Barry manilow you get lost in the magic of his music and the lyrics just slip you by… I love your reactions because it makes me relive those moments again. I love romantic, passionate people like you. PhoenixOne
Hair, make up, glasses, colour palette, voice and demeanor ... Maddy, your style aesthetic is both understated and entirely, 'on point'. Brava. I make this observation having had the privilege of having participated, as a judge, in local 'beauty pageants'...many, many years ago...
One of the background singers (and, yes, they were singers) was a young lady named Cheryl Sarkisian. Perhaps you may know her better as "Cher". Not too shabby.
on the recording, probably not here in the video. I;ve never been able to find her on the video. Have you? i don;t even think thos e peope are actually singing in the video. Tv often put people on the set for ?props" as if there was a chior. There's no orchsetra, this was a teen show, probably Shindig, they wouldn't spend money on an full orchestra and a bunch of peopoe for one song.
This video was not live. It was play back and the version you hear is the studio recording over dubbed and Cher is not in the video. She did however contributed to the studio version.
I watched this broadcast. They began in silhouette because everyone assumed they were black. The sudden spotlights genuinely shocked viewers but, of course, it didn't matter because the song was so good.. This shot to the top of the charts and stayed there. True blue=eyed soul. Loved your reaction.
Hi Maddy. A couple things for your consideration. First they are not brothers. They are Bill Medley (Tall guy singing lead here) and Bobby Hatfield (blonde guy singing harmony). There is a vid on YT of them doing Unchained Melody where Bobby sings lead. In fact he sings it alone. The guys were performing somewhere down south under a different name, and after a song a young marine in the audience stood up and yelled "That was Righteous Brothers". They kept the name. Another cool guest appearance on this video you just watched. One of the chorus of background singers here was a young woman trying to start a career of her own, and was doing studio work and backing vocals to pay the bills. Her name was Cherilynn Sarkisian. She did okay. So good in fact that she started going by just one name. Cher. I am leaving a link to unchained Melody. Enjoy. Stay safe and well! th-cam.com/video/m0EBs6uRgtw/w-d-xo.html
You are right about the pain that this song represents. I have loved this song since I first heard it in 1965, when I was 10 years old. Now, from painful experience, I know that the relationship this song is about is already over, she has detached from him and is looking elsewhere. Been there, done that, fought like hell to salvage the marriage how many times? I finally let her go, I had to, there was no way to put it back together again without losing my soul. Now, my new wife of 32 years and I live in a $2.5M house, paid for, and life is good for us. My ex lives in poverty, and that is fine with me. I did not put her there, she did it herself, and I feel no compulsion to help her. She made her bed, let her eat it.
They are not actual brothers! They were separate acts that happened to appear on the same bill and spontaneously sang a duet. Their harmony was so good that some audience members yelled "That's righteous, brothers" (or so I heard) and thus their name was born. This song was voted number one on many billboard charts for several years.
Not quite right. Bobby's fraternity was having a dance. He was friends with fellow student (in a different fraternity) and guitarist, Barry Rillera, (He played with the Righteous Brothers for years & is often called the third Righteous Brother). He invited Barry's group to provide the music. Barry previously had mentioned Bill (how well he sang) to Bobby so he said bring your friend, Bill, too. Barry and Bill delivered furniture for a store in Santa Ana. During the dance, Bobby asked if he could "sit in." He and Bill figured out some songs they both knew. That was the first time they sang together. You are correct it was audience members who called them righteous brothers. It was Marines from the nearby El Toro Marine base who started calling Bill & Bobby that on stage and off. They were in a 5 member group called the Paramours at that time. When they recorded Little Latin Lupe Lu as a duo, they didn't want to use the Paramours since it wasn't the whole group. Bobby suggested they use the name the Marines had been calling them. Hey, it wasn't going to be a hit, anyway. (Edit: Repeated a little I wrote in a previous comment.)
Thank you for the additional information. I saw the Righteous Brothers perform in Las Vegas. Bobby referred to the tall and skinny Bill as "the pencil." In addition to their singing so well, they were funny as well.@@Aurora-tp3dy
I was a new mum at 21 years old, a beautiful little girl, who grew up to be my best friend. I lost her 8 years ago unexpectedly and my life has never been the same but this song brings back such wonderful memories.
I wouldnt be surprised if most of the comments say they first heard this song in the movie Top Gun. It is first sung by Tom Cruise to woo the main love interest in the movie and later own is heard from the righteous brothers.
His voice can't be electric...he's not using autotune lol. This is from my era when auto tune meant your car was in the shop getting a tune up. They were not brothers. They got the name after the 5 man group they were in split up, they were playing a club where some balck marines would come in, after a song, one yelled "That's Righteous Brother" and it seemed to stick well with them so they used it for the name of their act. on August 1964, before they were famous nationwide, they actually toured with The Beatles in the USA, as an opening but dropped out when they got a recording contract offer for the big time. Smart move. By January 1965,this song had gone to #1. I was 8 years old when I saw this on TV in Decmeber 1964, about to turn 9 in January. Bill Medley [deep voice] is still around at age 83. Bobby passed away on tour at age 63 with Bill 20 years ago in 2003. He was in his hotel room in Kalamazoo MI [50 minutes from ny house] and never came out to do the show. The news broke my heart - was a music teacher. His live performance solo in 1965 on the Andy Williams show of "Unchained Melody" will knock your socks off!
I was a little Black girl when this came out and this song was considered to be comparable to the Motown sound. They, like Elvis, were categorized as blue-eyed souls, which was an honorary title considering the times.
I was going to say that good music has no color but that is wrong. Good music is all colors.
@@Tillersweep Well said!
They had soul.
Gotta mention Tom Jonesas well, when you mention blue eyed soul!
100 years from now I'll be gone but I bet you somewhere in the world this song will be playing somewhere.
For sure, that can’t be said of many songs today
Please don't go... Don't let it slip away...
300 years is more likely!
From USA, this song was the single most requested and played song of the twentieth century!
This is called blue-eyed soul. These guys were the best. Bobby Hatfield with his beautiful tenor voice & Bill Medley with his deeper voice. They were magic together. And remember this is done live. No auto-tuning crap like today. And the songs had meaningful beautiful lyrics. Other great songs by them is "Unchained Melody", "Soul & Inspiration", "Just Once In My Life", "Ebb Tide", "Rock & Roll Heaven" etc.
Add Somewhere and Summertime and Dream on and My Prayer - so many more a¡nd all terrific!¡
@dagmars.6954 : The vocals on this TH-cam clip are NOT "done live".
They are - from / the same - as the original studio recording session vocals as heard on their hit single.
Here are the actual LIVE vocals from this January 1965 appearance on "SHINDIG" :
th-cam.com/video/03iSUjHaUxY/w-d-xo.html
This was the most played song on the radio in the 20th century. It held number 1 on Billboard for 16 weeks. I was a sophomore in High School when this came out. At a time when rock n roll was exploding with the Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, etc.; this great duo held their own at the top of the charts. Saw them live twice, and Bill Medley as a soloist at his own club in the late 70's. They were dynamic and exceptional on stage, and are one of my all time favorite artists.
16 weeks?! No offense meant here, but most sources, including the Billboard Hot 100 history, show this song/artist was at Billboard #1 position for only 2 weeks in February 1965. It appears they were officially on the Billboard chart for maybe 8 weeks in different positions during it's run. The Hall and Oats version in the early 1980's reached #12 Billboard Hot 100 chart. But you've got one up on me, I never saw them live!
The Righteous Brothers, making the ladies go weak in the knees for 60 years and counting
They are not brothers
@@CraigGray-m4k thank you captain obvious, would you like a cookie for such a brillant reply? 🤪
This is the kind of Music we need Today ❤
Iconic Blue Eyed Soul...they don’t make music like that anymore. 60’s & 70’s two of the greatest decades of music...ever! PERIOD! 😎👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
These guys seem like such gentlemen. From the words they sing to how they dress, it’s all done with class.
Bobby has always been described as a gentleman by folks who met him, especially the ladies. Guess Bill was too, but I don't recall comments talking about it.
Back in the day I was 13 when this song was released. Now I am 72 and love this song as much now as when I first heard it.
Here here moto cross rider 1972
These guys were unbelievable this song was played on the radio more than any other song in the 20th century read that again !!
"Unchained Melody" is another classic by them.
I danced to this song when it first came out.....and Unchained melody was a great cheek to cheek dancing song....they days of romance
thankyou for playing that. Takes me back to when it came out. I was in high school. Loved all their music. They were Natural talent!! Gifted Voices!!!
A Marine in attendance at a nightclub performance early in their career unknowingly gave them the name. As they poured their souls out into a song, he jumped up and shouted "that's righteous, brothers!" Their style was unique, and eventually a DJ coined the term "blue-eyed soul" to describe them!
They were coined "blue-eyed soul" because of their soulful voices. You are witnessing true vocal talent, showmanship, class and style; each singing and complimenting the other. I was 9-years old in December 1964 when they debut this song on the TV show Shindig. Our entire family was quiet, everyone hanging on each note. We didn't know it at the time, but we were watching history being made. Back in those days, a 45 rpm cost $1 and so did a great burger with all the fixins. So, the burger or the record? If you bought the record instead of the burger, it was a hit! Believe.
You are absolutely correct. 🎶
I remember when I first heard this. I had to pull off the road and listen. Tell you what this song got to me and they're ain't many songs that could do that. Medley is still with us at 83yo. He of course like many 83 year olds has seen a lotta sadness and losing Hatfield was probably one of them.
When I first heard this song being performed by Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards, I was watching Top Gun in the movie theater back in 1986.
Bright Angel - as an older man in my mid-70s, I can tell you that songs and young men today don't express their love, feelings, and respect for the fantastic
gift of a woman's love in the same way. It's sad because nothing is more precious than the love of the woman you love.
.... and nothing is worst than losing it..... I'm 72.
There will never be another Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield! Pure, raw, God Almighty given talent! This is when real music was made. Love this stuff! Thanks for a great reaction to such an iconic duo!
Also, check out Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes singing "(I've had) the Time of My Life" the theme song from the movie "Dirty Dancing".
The best duo of all time and the best song
Takes me right back to high school. At a dance this song would make a girl simply melt on the dance floor.
This Righteous Brothers song was played on the radio more than any other song in the 20th century. It does have a fan base! :)
Just watched a great documentary on the making of this incredible song. Legendary producer Phil Spector knew this incredible song would be big so he took his time to get it just right. Took over 2 months and 39 takes to do so
He couldn't have been righter concerning the songs popularity. The Dynamic Duo never disappointed. Definitely thee greatest duo ever in my opinion.
This was the most played song on radio and TV - by the Righteous Brothers - in the 20th century with over 8.2 million plays
I was a kid in Los Angeles, with a transistor radio in the '60s, on my Schwinn bike, riding the streets and sidewalks with my buddies.
Aww 🩷
I was 80's kid so the first time i heard this song was actually in a very iconic scene in the movie Top Gun. Since then it has become one of my favourite songs of all time!
As unknowns, they played small gigs across the country. While in the south at a predominantly black bar, after their show they got a huge ovation. Some man yelled out... "That's righteous brother!" The rest is history... The Righteous Brothers.
It feels like you came out of nowhere and it turns out, you are one of the best. What a lovely surprise for those of us who now follow you.
🩷🩷🩷🤗 thank you
drop dead gorgeous to boot
Regarding the comment above, while you are drop dead gorgeous I am 72 , so I can only say you are very cute, like one of my grandchildren,,lol@@MaddyReactions
@@josephscally6270 I'm 67 and I agree, and I wouldn't want anyone to drop dead just because they look beautiful to someone. "Attractive" would be a more courteous way to put it.
not brothers. they were touring somewhere down south and an African American gentleman said those brothers can sing, they're righteous! hence their new name at that point, legend has it!
It was at a club in Santa Ana, Orange county, CA called Jon's Black Derby. The guy(s) who started calling them righteous brothers was a Marine from the El Toro Marine base, also in Orange county.
In the video from the Andy Williams show where Bobby says down south, he's referring to south of where he was standing (Burbank).
When they recorded Little Latin Lupe Lu as a duo, they needed a name since it wasn't the whole group. Bobby suggested they use the name the Marines were calling them. They figured why not it wasn't going to be a hit anyway. 😄
yep your right! it was a marine!
@@Aurora-tp3dy❤exactly right.
Maddy, you're so right, this is pure, unadulterated talent. Bill's thundering baritone, and Bobby's flowing tenor were special together.
Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield were not biological brothers. It's just a nickname. Bobby has since passed away, but Bill is still alive.
Next on your list from these guys should be "Soul & Inspiration". It'll uncurl your hair!😁
Agreed 🩷
@@MaddyReactions Bill Medley is still alive ought to check out the duet he did with Jennifer Warnes for movie dirty dancing called I've had the time of my life.
@@eaglesfan0726 They are still together and performing. Bucky Heard took the place of Bobby Hatfield.
This is the music of my youth and was played on the radio constantly back then. Many people at the time thought the Righteous Brothers were black until they saw them. No they weren’t using auto tune but there is some manipulation of the sound and tons of reverb which enhances the Bro’s natural abilities. It’s nice to see young people appreciate this music and I must say Maddy is an intelligent and attractive young woman.
so many movies this has been in, Top Gun (Tom cruise sings it), they also did the song during the famous love scene in Ghost with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze.
I think you meant the song “Unchained Melody.”
yep your right@@larrywright3132
My old girlfriend was in Vegas when she was about 30 and she and her mother went to see the Righteous Brothers. Bill Medley came down into the audience and took her by the hand and took her up onstage and sung a love song to her. Yes, she was (and I think still is) that beautiful!!
thats blue eyed soul right there, magic
I didn't know this platform existed on TH-cam or I would have been watching these reactions sooner. I love it that the generations after mine get a chance to experience the significance and extraordinary talent of this Duo. Some of those reacting are getting chills and tearing up and can't fully understand why when they try to express what they are feeling: It's the presence of greatness and you all are keeping it alive. Rock On!
🩷
Hi Maddy, Their voices just go together like "Peanut Butter & Jelly!!!"
An up and coming singer in the chorus - her name is Cher!
The most played song of the 20th Century according to BMI 👍🏻
The Righteous Brothers were easily once of the best vocal groups in the history of the Recording Industry.
One of the true all time great performances, and this song with this duo is the all time greatest song of radio plays.
"Makes me just feel like crying ..." Without love the human flower wilts. It's how we're built and grounded, a fact of life that yields fulness of life. So if it's gone, gone, gone, you sing your heart out to get it back, back, back. Imagine a universe without love. Kinda makes you wonder where it came from it in the first place.
They weren't really brothers. The taller one with the deep voice is Bill Medley. The other one was Bobby Hatfield, who is no longer with us. They acquired their name when someone who heard them early in their career said, "those brothers are righteous!"
Aww 🩷
Maddy I enjoy your reactions
@@MaddyReactions You may have heard Bill Medley sing the duet for the movie Dirty Dancing. And Bobby Hatfield singing unchained melody is in Ghost. Both movies star Patrick Swayze. Wow...I only just connected that. 😀
They “got” their name while they were singing in a segregated bar where black Marines would go to on leave.
After their first song one of the Marines yelled out, “That was Righteous, Brother!” and the rest they say is history
Love the oldies ... heart and soul went into every song. Loved this Maddy :)
Back in the day it was pure talent and they had it! They are not brothers .They got the name from a man that heard them in a club and he said that is some Righteous Brothers due to their soulful singing called blue eyed soul talent. They both sang in a formal choir .Bobby Hatfield the blonde with high pitch and Bill medley taller deeper tone voice.. I was a little boy when this came out but still love hearing it . Back then as said you had to have talent or you did not go very far or even get started. thank you
Just a quick comment on their sartorial splendor. These two had the Greatest hair of that generation! EVERYone in high school either tried to copy their style or wore an athletic cut, like the butch or flattop. And then one day... the Beatles and the Brits hit our shores... and this was instantly old hat. Such a shame, as they look sharp 60 years later !!!
The Righteous Brothers resume their residency at SouthPoint Hotel and Casino on Jan 20, 2014 in Las Vegas. Bill Medley and Bucky Heard who replaced the late-Bobby Hatfield still have it.
Love this song. great reaction too!
You need to listen to the tenor sing a solo song, „Unchained Melody“. Perhaps the best performance of any song ever. It will definitely move you!
Abso;utely !! JUst make sure it's the live version !!
I remember when I was in the Navy, we were in Japan and tried to get in a karaoke bar. They wouldn't let us in unless we sang this song, because of the Top Gun movie. I just turned 49 today, and there's no way I can hit those high notes now like I did at that bar that night.
🩷🩷🩷😂
Great reaction to a true classic. Thanks Maddie!
Explore "Wall of Sound." Phil Spector's contribution to the Righteous Brothers, the Ronettes, and others.
I don't remember what I was doing the first time I heard it, but in the summer of 1965 I heard it a lot as it was played on the radio all the time and my girl friend at that time loved it. So probably in my car headin down the beach at the Jersey shore.
Singers didn't need auto tune back in the day because they weren't lazy and respected their craft. The story about their name comes from when a person in the audience heard them and remarked that was righteous brother.
It was pure
The best duet in history
Number 1 most requested song of the 20th century, as per EMI.
I wonder if they really knew how magnificent this song hopefully so just a banger of a tune and harmonious voices brilliant.
Ha! I was 12 years old when this came out, and I'm now 70! I remember when I first heard it though. I'm a huge fan!
I was also 12, what wonderful memories ❤
1964 in my VW Beetle, AM mono car radio, experiencing teen freedom through a driver's license.
You explained that heartbreak really well. Been through it and it's all so confusing when it ends. You never imagined your life without them, then they're gone....
They were playing a club in the south and at the end of the show a guy said "that was rightious brother", and so the name. Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley. Bill Medely sang The Time of My Life in the film Dirty Dancing.
Beautiful song...💕❤😍
When this came out I was 13 yrs old and mooning over the loss of my first girlfriend. Every time I hear it it reminds me of that moment and the feelings.
Maddy...they were not brothers or related at all.I heard Bill ..the tall guy...tell the story of how they got the name.They were performing at a small club and after one of their songs a guy said from the crowd..." that was righteous brother!" and the name stuck .Your right right no auto tune back then just pure talent.. his partner passed away.R I P
Maddy, thankyou for bring us that song, with those two talents! The 60 was a period of magnificients voices
Thank you for the stereo sound! This sound was called "Blue Eyed Soul". This song was the most aired,and requested song of all time!
Often replicated never duplicated this duo was raw talent and magical soulful delivery. Both born in 1940 but not related in other than friendship and collaboration. As a teenage boomer we loved the music and never thought it would ever end. RIP Robert (Bobby) Lee Hatfield you and your often surprising /never disappointing talent/performance are truly missed.
Just a bit of trivia, the orchestra was phill Spector wall of sound and there was 2 famous girl backing singers 1 was Darlen Love and the other was CHER ❤
This song was released in 1964. Auto tune was first used in 1997
Greetings from Miami. Great Reaction to The Righteous Brothers-a true classic song from the 1960s.
Greatest Song ever written, The most Played song of the 20th century.
THE most requested song ever.
Not Bothers. Bobby Hatfield tenor and Bill Medley. My sister and her girlfriend went out on a date with them in the 60s. That was just before they hit it big.
It is a sad song - but what I have learned in life is that Love is more, much more than a feeling. Feelings do come and go. But Love stays because it is a decision, and a commitment to always treat that other person with love.
(YOU'RE MY) SOUL AND INSPIRATION is another great song by the Righteous Brothers.
They are not brothers. It's the name of their act. Someone remarked after one of their performances that they were some righteous brothers after hearing them sing. So, they took the name.
Bill Medley, the singer with the deep voice, also sings with Jennifer Warnes on (I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. You've been a busy girl. The numbers on your channel continue to climb. Keep hustling. Stay cool. And enjoy
Two guys, a backing orchestra, no autotune that's how it was done way back then.
They had a number of hits that were all over the radio back then.
I even have this in my Playlist on my phone.
Remember, this is a live performance. All the other performers on Shindig sang backup.
Now that you have been blown out of your shoes and socks you can appreciate a GREAT song. BTW, that was a chorus behind them. One of the singers was a very young Cher.
Just saw a documentary it took legendary record producer 39 takes , 2 months to get this fabulous song exactly how he wanted it we know the end result. They were the greatest duos ever in my opinion. Cher was a background singer. You need to react to more of their great songs.
Music used to be so pure.
" we had..." Perfectly matched in pitch, volume and timing - in the dark...
No electronic aids (and pretty primitive microphones), no safety net - just talent.
My main squeeze and I had been together for almost two years when this song came out. Same year I was inducted into the Army then sent to Nam. Unchained melody played in my head keeping hope that she would wait and I could return with all my parts. Both happened and still together but with 2 kids,7grand and 9great grand. Phew, there were those times when I thought I'd never make it. Still love this music.
Oh. The legendary record producer was Phil Spector and his great Wall of Sound making this great song even sound better
Saw them in 1965 in San Diego with my high school sweet heart, the love of my life Sharon. At 76 she is still the love of my life.
The Righteous Brothers were truly Blue Eyed Soul at it's BEST
And quit saying blue eyed soul please. That is some racist chit,
Haha, love it . I saw them in concert. Fantastic how someone with no prior knowledge can watch and go ok, those are Rockstars!
I hope you've done some led zeppelin. Whole Lotta Love is sweet love song.
Canada.
It speaks of a man who loves too much but jealousy sets in because again, when you love too much, the insecurity of losing the love of your life makes you act crazy sometimes. Listen to the beginning: “shadows of a man, a face thru windows” etc… Sometimes with Barry manilow you get lost in the magic of his music and the lyrics just slip you by… I love your reactions because it makes me relive those moments again. I love romantic, passionate people like you. PhoenixOne
Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield were the Righteous Brothers, of course not siblings ✌️
This duet hits all 88 keys on the piano.
It's Hilarious when Reactors See the Righteous Brothers and find out they're Caucasians! SO MUCH SOUL!
Hair, make up, glasses, colour palette, voice and demeanor ... Maddy, your style aesthetic is both understated and entirely, 'on point'. Brava.
I make this observation having had the privilege of having participated, as a judge, in local 'beauty pageants'...many, many years ago...
Aww well thank you for noticing 🩷
One of the background singers (and, yes, they were singers) was a young lady named Cheryl Sarkisian. Perhaps you may know her better as "Cher". Not too shabby.
on the recording, probably not here in the video. I;ve never been able to find her on the video. Have you? i don;t even think thos e peope are actually singing in the video. Tv often put people on the set for ?props" as if there was a chior. There's no orchsetra, this was a teen show, probably Shindig, they wouldn't spend money on an full orchestra and a bunch of peopoe for one song.
This video was not live. It was play back and the version you hear is the studio recording over dubbed and Cher is not in the video. She did however contributed to the studio version.
I watched this broadcast. They began in silhouette because everyone assumed they were black. The sudden spotlights genuinely shocked viewers but, of course, it didn't matter because the song was so good.. This shot to the top of the charts and stayed there. True blue=eyed soul. Loved your reaction.
Oh wow!!!
Nice one, Maddy! These guys were so good. 😊
They are!
Hi Maddy. A couple things for your consideration. First they are not brothers. They are Bill Medley (Tall guy singing lead here) and Bobby Hatfield (blonde guy singing harmony). There is a vid on YT of them doing Unchained Melody where Bobby sings lead. In fact he sings it alone. The guys were performing somewhere down south under a different name, and after a song a young marine in the audience stood up and yelled "That was Righteous Brothers". They kept the name. Another cool guest appearance on this video you just watched. One of the chorus of background singers here was a young woman trying to start a career of her own, and was doing studio work and backing vocals to pay the bills. Her name was Cherilynn Sarkisian. She did okay. So good in fact that she started going by just one name. Cher. I am leaving a link to unchained Melody. Enjoy. Stay safe and well! th-cam.com/video/m0EBs6uRgtw/w-d-xo.html
You are right about the pain that this song represents. I have loved this song since I first heard it in 1965, when I was 10 years old. Now, from painful experience, I know that the relationship this song is about is already over, she has detached from him and is looking elsewhere. Been there, done that, fought like hell to salvage the marriage how many times? I finally let her go, I had to, there was no way to put it back together again without losing my soul. Now, my new wife of 32 years and I live in a $2.5M house, paid for, and life is good for us. My ex lives in poverty, and that is fine with me. I did not put her there, she did it herself, and I feel no compulsion to help her. She made her bed, let her eat it.
They are not actual brothers! They were separate acts that happened to appear on the same bill and spontaneously sang a duet. Their harmony was so good that some audience members yelled "That's righteous, brothers" (or so I heard) and thus their name was born. This song was voted number one on many billboard charts for several years.
Not quite right. Bobby's fraternity was having a dance. He was friends with fellow student (in a different fraternity) and guitarist, Barry Rillera, (He played with the Righteous Brothers for years & is often called the third Righteous Brother). He invited Barry's group to provide the music. Barry previously had mentioned Bill (how well he sang) to Bobby so he said bring your friend, Bill, too. Barry and Bill delivered furniture for a store in Santa Ana.
During the dance, Bobby asked if he could "sit in." He and Bill figured out some songs they both knew. That was the first time they sang together.
You are correct it was audience members who called them righteous brothers. It was Marines from the nearby El Toro Marine base who started calling Bill & Bobby that on stage and off. They were in a 5 member group called the Paramours at that time.
When they recorded Little Latin Lupe Lu as a duo, they didn't want to use the Paramours since it wasn't the whole group. Bobby suggested they use the name the Marines had been calling them. Hey, it wasn't going to be a hit, anyway.
(Edit: Repeated a little I wrote in a previous comment.)
Thank you for the additional information. I saw the Righteous Brothers perform in Las Vegas. Bobby referred to the tall and skinny Bill as "the pencil." In addition to their singing so well, they were funny as well.@@Aurora-tp3dy
Not only were they back up singers, a very young Cher was one of them!
Wow!?!
@@MaddyReactions I was going to mention that, the zeitgeist that a young Cher was part of that chorus, and or choir.
on the recording, probably not here. I;ve never been able to find her in this, have you?
I was a new mum at 21 years old, a beautiful little girl, who grew up to be my best friend. I lost her 8 years ago unexpectedly and my life has never been the same but this song brings back such wonderful memories.
@Vlasko60 thank you so much.
I wouldnt be surprised if most of the comments say they first heard this song in the movie Top Gun.
It is first sung by Tom Cruise to woo the main love interest in the movie and later own is heard from the righteous brothers.
His voice can't be electric...he's not using autotune lol. This is from my era when auto tune meant your car was in the shop getting a tune up. They were not brothers. They got the name after the 5 man group they were in split up, they were playing a club where some balck marines would come in, after a song, one yelled "That's Righteous Brother" and it seemed to stick well with them so they used it for the name of their act. on August 1964, before they were famous nationwide, they actually toured with The Beatles in the USA, as an opening but dropped out when they got a recording contract offer for the big time. Smart move. By January 1965,this song had gone to #1. I was 8 years old when I saw this on TV in Decmeber 1964, about to turn 9 in January. Bill Medley [deep voice] is still around at age 83. Bobby passed away on tour at age 63 with Bill 20 years ago in 2003. He was in his hotel room in Kalamazoo MI [50 minutes from ny house] and never came out to do the show. The news broke my heart - was a music teacher. His live performance solo in 1965 on the Andy Williams show of "Unchained Melody" will knock your socks off!
Maddy, thank you for not interrupting the song every 15 seconds to make a 2-minute commentary.
Maddy, do some research on your songs.