Stroll Down Memory Lane With The Righteous Brothers

Fans of the original blue-eyed-soul duo The Righteous Brothers are in for a rare treat as the duo of Bill Medley and Bucky Heard bring the “Lovin’ Feelin’ Farewell Tour” to the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on Sunday, August 25, at 8 p.m.

“Their songs have been the soundtrack to multiple generations,” said WHBPAC’s marketing director Heather Draskin. “So to see them live in our intimate auditorium will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Known for their hits “That Lovin’ Feelin’,” “Unchained Melody,” “Rock and Roll Heaven” and “Soul and Inspiration,” The Righteous Brothers was founded in 1963 by Medley and the late Bobby Hatfield in Los Angeles. Philadelphia radio DJ Georgie Wood is often credited with coining the phrase “blue eyed soul” in reference to their sound in 1964, and Medley and Hatfield enjoyed commercial success throughout much of the 1970s, as well as a resurgence in the 1990s due to the use of their music in the blockbuster film “Ghost.”

In 1987, Medley garnered a #1 hit with the song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” from “Dirty Dancing,” which went on to win a number of awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song, the Golden Globe for Best Original song, and the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo.

“We are delighted to present The Righteous Brothers to both devoted fans and new listeners. Their timeless sound has secured their status among the greatest names in music, and their songs beautifully capture a significant era in musical history and pop culture,” said Draskin.

Today, Medley has joined forces with acclaimed vocalist Bucky Heard to continue the musical tradition known as The Righteous Brothers. Heard, an Alabama native and Auburn University alumni has numerous national theatrical credits and his reputation as a “gutsy rock and roll singer with incredible vocal range” has garnered critical praise in such publications as, The Washington Post and USA Today. He has shared the concert stage with some of the greats including Andy Williams, Glen Campbell, The Beach Boys (with Mike Love), The Temptations (with Otis Williams), Tony Orlando, Paul Shaffer, Michael McDonald, Jonathan Cain (Journey), BB King and many more.

“If you had told me, as a 16-year-old kid from Santa Ana, California, that I’d have a 60-plus year career in music, I’d have thought you were nuts,” says Bill Medley. “Sure, it was the dream while I was writing songs when I should have been doing my homework, but I never imagined having the opportunity to write, record, perform, and travel the world with my best friend, my little brother Bobby [Hatfield]. I’ve worked with and learned from the best, most incredible talents, and connected with an all-around fantastic group of people.

“When Bobby died, a part of me knew I’d feel that hole in my heart forever,” he continued. “I thought the Righteous Brothers were over. But it wasn’t until I heard Bucky Heard 10 years later that I realized I wasn’t ready to give up what Bobby and I created together as The Righteous Brothers.

‘“I’ve Had the Time of My Life’ returning to the stage with Bucky, and it is my honor and pleasure to bring songs that mean just so very much to audiences everywhere.”

Tickets can be purchased at whbpac.org, by calling 631-288-1500 or at the box office at 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach during business hours.