Bill Medley is famous for being one half of The Righteous Brothers. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo was part of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound, scoring such hits during the mid-1960s as “Unchained Melody,” “Just Once In My Life,” and the number one “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin.’” After leaving Spector’s employ they continued to release successful singles including their second chart-topper, “(You’re My) Soul And Inspiration.”
The Righteous Brothers went their separate ways in 1968 but reunited six years later and continued to perform together until Hatfield’s death in 2003. Medley continues to perform down to the present day, primarily at the Dick Clark Theatre in Branson, Missouri.
Medley has released seven solo albums to date for several different labels over the course of his career. His first two efforts were issued following the break-up of the Righteous Brothers. Real Gone Music has now reissued these two albums recorded for the MGM Label, combining Bill Medley 100% (1968) and Soft And Soulful (1969) onto one disc.
It was an easy transition for Medley to become a solo artist. While he and Hatfield had combined their voices at times during their tenure, their usual approach was to rotate lead vocals.
Bill Medley 100% was a somewhat disjointed album, however. The Righteous Brothers always had a soulful quality to their music but here Medley went in a more traditional pop/easy listening direction. Songs such as “The Impossible Dream,” “You Don't Have To Say You Love Me,” and “You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You” fell short of his better work. He was on more solid ground with the Goffin-King composition, “I Can Make It Alone,” which returned him to more familiar ground. “Brown Eyed Woman,” written by the songwriting team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, was a moderate hit single; Medley presented his bass voice well on the building ballad. He also gave a credible performance on the old Little Anthony hit, “Goin’ Out Of My Head.”
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