Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield had a sound in the 1960s that was like no other.
Serving up a rich pop-soul concoction with towering productions values, the duo blazed a distinctive path that would lead to induction in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
With Bucky Heard replacing Hatfield, who died in 2003, the Righteous Brothers are carrying on with their classic vocal rock at a Nov. 10 concert at Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich. Showtime is 9 p.m. EST.
“Bucky and I have a lot of fun on stage; we do all the hits,” Medley said in a phone interview this month. “There’s a song that I wrote called ‘Love Wins All’ that we throw in, that we just feel has a good message for today.”
The Righteous Brothers’ catalog dates back 54 years to the bouncy “Little Latin Lupe Lu,” a Medley composition.
Released in 1964, “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’ ” gave Medley and Hatfield a No. 1 hit, and ably demonstrated the “wall of sound” production technique of famed record producer Phil Spector.
In 1966, the Righteous Brothers notched another chart-topper with the majestic “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration.”
Righteous Brothers songs fared well on both on both the pop and the rhythm and blues charts, according to biographical information on the duo from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that honors their induction.
“It’s kind of the stamp of approval,” Medley, 77, said. “I think because Bobby and I opened up the door to blue-eyed soul, that was pretty instrumental in us going into the hall of fame.”
Medley’s ethereal tenor stood in clear contrast to Medley’s deep, resonant vocals.
“It was kind of an unlikely duo,” said Medley, a resident of Newport Beach, Calif. “I sang real low. He sang real high, but it just worked. I think I’m probably a bass singer who never developed my bass voice. I think I developed my baritone voice a lot more so I could get up and sing the higher notes.”
Not biological brothers, Medley and Hatfield reached the Top 10 in the ’60s on the strength of “Just Once in My Life” and “Ebb Tide,” with Hatfield getting a spotlight to demonstrate his vocal gymnastics on the soaring “Unchained Melody” (1965).
“He was just one of the greatest singers to come out of the ’60s,” Medley assured. “We go all the way back to 1962 when we were singing in bars. I just kind of remember having so much fun with Bobby.”
As for current times, Medley said he and Alabama native Heard have been actively working together as the Righteous Brothers for about two years.
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“He’s a great, great singer; he’s a great guy,” Medley said.
Medley and Heard have an extended engagement as the Righteous Brothers at Harrah’s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
On his own, Medley rang up a No. 1 single with Jennifer Warnes in 1987, as “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” led to a career renaissance for the Righteous Brothers.
The sweeping ode to romantic bliss stands as the love theme from the Patrick Swayze movie “Dirty Dancing” (1987).
The Righteous Brothers’ last Top 10 hit on the Billboard pop chart was 1974’s “Rock and Roll Heaven,” which salutes deceased music stars who include Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Otis Redding.
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Righteous Brothers
Where: Silver Creek Event Center at Four Winds Casino Resort, 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, Mich.
When: 9 p.m. EST Nov. 10
Tickets: $40-$60
Information: 866-494-6371, http://www.fourwindscasino.com