Bill Medley

1. Bill Medley • By: Cara Slone, Jill Hughes, Keno Kenoly, and Brooke Stuart

2. The Beginning • Bill’s objective in life has always been music • His father led a band and played sax while his mother played the piano and sang • He grew up singing in Presbyterian choirs, entering in amateur contests, and singing in high school glee clubs • Had no formal musical education, but didn’t stop him from writing music • 1st exposure was the Paramours • “Unchained Melody” Righteous Brothers 1980

3. What happened to Bill Medley’s Wife??? She was mysteriously murdered. It is still an unsolved murder!

5. Musical Influences • Roy Hamilton • Tony Bennett • Ray Charles • Bobby Bland

6. Musical Career • In 1961 Bill had his own group called “The Paramours” • Bill was introduced to Bobby Hatfield that same year, who also had his own group. • After the two of them sang together they decided to combine the two groups for what would become the Righteous Brothers • Bill was the first songwriter for the Righteous Brothers, and he also became their record producer

7. Musical Career • In 1968, the duo separated and Bill pursued a solo career scoring hits such as Brown Eyed Woman • Although Bill and Bobby reunited in the mid 70’s, they took a five year break from performing • However, they still did very well scoring several hit songs in the 80’s and 90’s

9. Musical Awards • 2003 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees( The Righteous Brothers.) • Grammy Winning duet with Jennifer Warnes, “ I’ve Had Time of My Life,” Song of the year from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack • Oscar Award winner, “I’ve Had Time of My Life,” Best song in a movie, helping Dirty Dancing become most successful soundtrack since Saturday Night Fever, with over 11 million Copies.

10. Top of the Charts • Medley reached the Billboard Top 10, Five times in 15 months • “You’re My Soul and Inspiration and “ I’ve Had Time of My Life,” each hit #1 • Three different times Medley reach Top 15 in both Pop and R&B at the same time with: “Unchained Melody” at #4 in pop and #3 in R&B, “You’re My Soul and Inspiration” at #1 in pop and #13 in R&B, and “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” reaching #1 in pop and #3 in R&B

11. Medley In the Publics Eye • The Performing Rights Organization BMI has, “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling”, featured on the Top Gun soundtrack, with over 8 million recording, making it the most played song in American Radio History • AFI’s 100 Years 100 Songs, has “I’ve Had Time of My Life” as the 86th best song from a motion picture • “Unchained Melody, according to an AOL poll, was voted the Greatest Love song of all time.

12. Impact of Music and Culture • The Righteous Brothers were one of the first to gain play on both Pop and R&B radio stations • Elvis himself frequently covered “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” and “Unchained Melody”, during his performances in the 70’s • Elton John, Sting, Billy Joel, and Steven Tyler have each expressed their love and influence for and from Medley and Hatfield’s music • The Righteous Brothers were perhaps the first to have their own style of music, which was “Blue Eyed Soul.”

13. Questions 1.What happened to Bill Medleys wife ? A.They are still together.    B. She left him for another man. C. She was mysteiously murdered. 2.Bill Medley was a part of what group?    A.Diamond Rio. B.Righteous Brothers.    C.Hatfields. 3.Our main reson for choosing Bill Medley is...    A." Unchained Melody" from Ghost. B." Had the Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing.    C." He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" from Rambo3 

14. Resources • www.righteousbrothers.com/bill.htm • www.vh1.com/artists/az/medley-bill/bio.jhtml • http://www.righteousbrothers.com/bio.htm • http://www.theiceberg.com/artist/4057/bill_medley.html • www.righteousbrothers.com/interview.htm