Download Free Bill Medley * Songs

Bill Medley music biography continued...

from the group include "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" and "Unchained Melody".

William Thomas Medley was born on September 19, 1940 in Santa Ana, California. He was raised in a musical environment as his father played the saxophone and his mother the piano. As a young boy, Medley sang in his church choir and later joined the glee club in high school. Growing up he was greatly influenced by Ray Charles, Roy Hamilton, Tony Bennett, and Bobby Bland. He formed his first band, The Paramours, in 1961 and eventually joined his with Bobby Hatfield's group The Variations to become The Righteous Brothers in 1962. Following their breakup in 1968, Bill focused on his solo career.

As a solo artist, Medley released 14 albums notably Soft and Soulful, Nobody Knows, and A Song for You. In 1976 he reunited with Hatfield releasing the hit "Rock and Roll Heaven". In 1986, the Righteous Brothers experienced a comeback with the re-emergence of their 1960s hit "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" when it was featured on the Top Gun soundtrack. Medley's greatest accomplishment was his collaboration with Jennifer Warnes for the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal as well as an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Following the release of the film Ghost which featured "Unchained Melody", Medley and Hatfield decided to embark on a reunion tour playing their greatest hits. Bill later returned to his solo career issuing a holiday album Christmas Memories in 1996 and his most recent Almost Home in 1997. The singer currently resides in Newport Beach, California with his wife and daughter.