He's Lost That Livin' Feeling

Elspode · 11-06-2003, 10:10 AM

I've heard it said that, if you want to get laid, there is no more potent an aphrodisiac than a Righteous Brothers record. If that be so, then many of us owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Bobby Hatfield, who passed away yesterday at the age of 63. Hatfield, along with partner Bill Medley (what a perfect name for a singer, eh?), pretty much invented the sub-genre of music known as 'Blue-Eyed Soul', a genre which has been mined in more recent times by the likes of Hall and Oates and Michael Bolton...although neither did it as well, IMHO.

The story goes that Hatfield and Medley's duo name was coined during a performance early in their careers, when, at the end of a song, a black Marine called out "That was righteous, brothers." Hell, who wouldn't have recognized a great group name when they heard that line? The Righteous Brothers were instrumental (pun intended) in cementing black soul music firmly in the hearts and minds of the still-polarized American listening public. Certainly, there were many other artists who participated in bringing such music to the public at large back in the days when we were still a defacto segregated society, but few did it with any more conviction than Hatfield and Medley. Indeed, it can be argued that white performers readings of black artists' music opened the door to acceptance of the genuine article by Americans steeped in a history of racial division in all things. From my point of view, Hatfield and Medley were among the most honest renderers of black music, and did a lot less 'whiting-up' of the material, choosing instead to deliver it in an honest and true fashion seldom heard from Caucasian interpreters of what was perceived as Black music.

Their biggest hit, "Unchained Melody", has been cited as one of the most-played songs in radio history, if not *the* most-played. Seeing their careers wane in the early 70's, the Righteous Brothers mustered up another hit in "Rock and Roll Heaven", a bouncing tribute to performers who have passed on; a song which now honors one of its own performers.

RIP, Bobby. If there is a rock and roll heaven, it's now got a hell of a lead singer.

xoxoxoBruce · 11-06-2003, 06:18 PM

Elsplode.

Again.

11-06-2003, 10:10 AM	#1
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	He's Lost That Livin' Feeling I've heard it said that, if you want to get laid, there is no more potent an aphrodisiac than a Righteous Brothers record. If that be so, then many of us owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Bobby Hatfield, who passed away yesterday at the age of 63. Hatfield, along with partner Bill Medley (what a perfect name for a singer, eh?), pretty much invented the sub-genre of music known as 'Blue-Eyed Soul', a genre which has been mined in more recent times by the likes of Hall and Oates and Michael Bolton...although neither did it as well, IMHO. The story goes that Hatfield and Medley's duo name was coined during a performance early in their careers, when, at the end of a song, a black Marine called out "That was righteous, brothers." Hell, who wouldn't have recognized a great group name when they heard that line? The Righteous Brothers were instrumental (pun intended) in cementing black soul music firmly in the hearts and minds of the still-polarized American listening public. Certainly, there were many other artists who participated in bringing such music to the public at large back in the days when we were still a defacto segregated society, but few did it with any more conviction than Hatfield and Medley. Indeed, it can be argued that white performers readings of black artists' music opened the door to acceptance of the genuine article by Americans steeped in a history of racial division in all things. From my point of view, Hatfield and Medley were among the most honest renderers of black music, and did a lot less 'whiting-up' of the material, choosing instead to deliver it in an honest and true fashion seldom heard from Caucasian interpreters of what was perceived as Black music. Their biggest hit, "Unchained Melody", has been cited as one of the most-played songs in radio history, if not the most-played. Seeing their careers wane in the early 70's, the Righteous Brothers mustered up another hit in "Rock and Roll Heaven", a bouncing tribute to performers who have passed on; a song which now honors one of its own performers. RIP, Bobby. If there is a rock and roll heaven, it's now got a hell of a lead singer. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

11-06-2003, 06:18 PM	#2
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Elsplode. Again. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

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