Synopses & Reviews
From an early age, Bill Medley had a passion for music. School glee club and amateur singing contests soon gave way to the albums of Ray Charles and Little Richard. That raw RandB influence would profoundly shape Medleyand#8217;s musical future.
As the pioneering and#147;blue-eyed souland#8221; group the Righteous Brothers, Bill Medley and late partner Bobby Hatfield sang such huge hits as and#147;(Youand#8217;re My) Soul and Inspiration,and#8221; and#147;Unchained Melody,and#8221; and and#147;Youand#8217;ve Lost That Lovinand#8217; Feelinand#8217;,and#8221; the latter recognized by BMI as the most-played song of the twentieth century. Medleyand#8217;s duet with Jennifer Warnes for the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, and#147;(Iand#8217;ve Had) the Time of My Life,and#8221; became a worldwide No. 1 single on its way to winning an Oscar, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe.
But Medleyand#8217;s story isnand#8217;t just about the hits and the awards. Itand#8217;s about an immensely talented man who reached the pinnacle of fame, success, and excess, until the shocking murder of his wife, Karen. In time, this tragedy eventually helped him renew his commitment to both faith and family.
Review
A Publishers Weekly and#147;Top 10 Musicand#8221; title, 1/27/14ARSC Journal
and#147;A smooth, enjoyable read, painting [Medley] as a genuinely warm, introspective guy. Itand#8217;s honest and forthrightand#133;Throughout, itand#8217;s like Medleyand#8217;s affably telling you his amazing life story over a cold beer.and#8221;
Review
"Bill Medley's voice resonates to this dayand#151;and his journey through life explains the depth and soul inherent in his voice."
and#151;Billy Joel, from the Foreword
"A likeably conversational, anecdotal read."and#151;Mojo
"Medley tells about it alland#151;the good times and the badand#151;in a fast-moving, at times very emotional memoir that pulls back the curtain to offer some interesting insights into the world of recorded music."and#151;Buffalo News
A Publishers Weekly and#147;Top 10 Musicand#8221; title, 1/27/14
ARSC Journal
and#147;A smooth, enjoyable read, painting [Medley] as a genuinely warm, introspective guy. Itand#8217;s honest and forthrightand#133;Throughout, itand#8217;s like Medleyand#8217;s affably telling you his amazing life story over a cold beer.and#8221;
Synopsis
Fifty years after his first hit single, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bill Medley remains an icon of popular music and one of its most beloved voices.
Synopsis
Bill Medley's indelible baritone adorns some of the biggest hits of the twentieth century and is prominent on the soundtrack of an entire generation. He and his musical partner, the late inimitable Bobby Hatfield, formed the Righteous Brothers in 1963 and forever changed the sound of popular music. The term "blue-eyed soul" was born.
After the Phil Spector-produced "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" hit #1 in 1964 and Bobby Hatfield's sweeping solo vocal turn on "Unchained Melody" enchanted millions, the Righteous Brothers found themselves in the thick of the musical and cultural changes sweeping the nation. They toured with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, became friends with Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys, and brought rhythm and blues to the largest crossover audience it had reached to date.
The Time of My Life is an affecting and vivid memoir of those times and beyond. But Medley's story isn't just about the #1 hits and the awards. It's the story of an immensely talented young guy who lived the rock star life and reached the pinnacle of fame, success, and excess, and how he was eventually able to renew his commitment to both his faith and his family.
About the Author
Bill Medley, along with the other half of the Righteous Brothers, Bobby Hatfield, has recorded such hits as "(Youand#8217;re My) Soul and Inspiration" and "Rock and Roll Heaven." His worldwide #1 hit, "(I've Had) the Time of My Life," with Jennifer Warnes, earned him a Grammy, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award. In 2003, Medley and Hatfield were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and he continues to tour and perform to sold-out audiences everywhere. He lives in Southern California with his wife Paula.
Mike Marino is an author, speaker, and musician. He was a member of several popular music groups including the McCoys, famous for their #1 hit "Hang on Sloopy." He lives in Orange County, California.