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The Righteous Brothers | Tunes + Guitar Lessons

The Righteous Brothers helped define blue-eyed soul with their unforgettable vocals and timeless hits. From classic ’60s ballads to iconic film duets!

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The Founders of Blue-Eyed Soul: The Righteous Brothers

Still active today, The Righteous Brothers, an American duo formed by Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield in 1962, are often regarded as pioneers of blue-eyed soul.

Their most significant recording period occurred from the early ’60s to 1969, during which they released their two biggest hits, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ and Unchained Melody. These tracks became staples of the soul genre and continue to be celebrated to this day. The duo recorded for labels like Moonglow, Phillies (Phil Spector’s label), and Verve.

After some years apart, Medley and Hatfield reunited to tour and record again, continuing their legacy until Hatfield’s passing in 2003.

Their distinctive sound, often referred to as blue-eyed soul, was a term used to describe white singers who brought soul music into their own, such as The Righteous Brothers and U.K. soul artist Dusty Springfield. The duo embraced the label, with their second album, Some Blue Eyed Soul (1964), a nod to the genre.

Beyond their work as a duo, Medley’s most successful post-Righteous Brothers song was (I’ve Had The) Time of My Life, a duet with Jennifer Warnes in 1987 for the film Dirty Dancing. This song became a massive hit and earned them an Oscar for Best Original Song.