Righteous Brother Bill Medley

In November 2003, Righteous Brother Bobby Hatfield had massive heart failure and passed away. Bobby's death meant the end of an era and the end of that tour, but not the end of traveling for Bill Medley, a virtuoso all by his lonesome. Two years later, Bill is on the road 75 nights out of the year. "This year I wanted to try and kick back, but it turns out I'm busier than I've ever been." As this year comes to a close, he is looking forward to a demanding 2006 and a surprisingly bulky amount of family time. In March, he and Paul Revere and the Raiders are going to do 26 weeks in Branson, Missouri. "My son is the lead singer for Paul Revere and the Raiders. He's forty years old and he'd always played drums, never really sang much. Darren wanted to let the singing play out a little bit. He has a very successful company so he can go out and play around a little bit. Paul Revere was looking for a singer and Darren tried out and they loved him and he's been with them a little over a year. So going to Branson will be great."

Bill grew up in a musical family. His father played saxophone and led a big band and his mother sang and played piano. The music of Ray Charles inspired him to try out his own musical abilities never dreaming that one day his music would encourage others in the same way. Now the Medley family has three generations out there stomping the stage. He also has a daughter, McKenna, testing her vocal wings. "I have an 18 year old daughter who's a great singer and we just started doing some trio stuff just for the heck of it. She is really good. If I can hand the torch off to her that would be sensational."

Fans continue to enjoy both the Righteous Brothers and Medley's powerful and evocative bass. He has his own passion for music. "It's what I knew I wanted to do. A lot has changed in my time in this business, but the reason you were a star back in the sixties is pretty much still the same reason why somebody is a star today."

Bill is still in love with singing on stage. "People ask me 'when are you going to retire?' I tell them I have to find a job first. I'm just living a fifteen year old boy's dream."