Bill Medley
| Bill Medley | |
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Bill Medley speaking to fans after performing at The Big E, West Springfield, Massachusetts, on opening day, September 14, 2012.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Thomas Medley |
| Born |
September 19, 1940 Santa Ana, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Blue-eyed soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Voice, piano |
| Years active | 1959–present |
| Labels | United Artists, RCA Records |
| Associated acts |
The Righteous Brothers Bobby Hatfield |
William Thomas "Bill" Medley (born September 19, 1940) is an American singer and songwriter, best known as one half of The Righteous Brothers. He is noted for his bass-baritone voice, exemplified in songs such as "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'". Medley produced a number of the duo's songs, including "Unchained Melody" and "Soul and Inspiration".
Medley has also enjoyed a career as a solo artist, and his million-selling #1 duet with Jennifer Warnes "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" won a number of awards.
Medley was born on September 19, 1940 in Santa Ana, California, USA to Arnol and Irma Medley. He attended Santa Ana High School and graduated in 1958. Medley was raised as a Presbyterian and started singing in a church choir. His parents had a swing band. He became interested in R&B music listening to black music stations. An early influence he cited is Little Richard who he first heard when he was fifteen or sixteen years old, and later Ray Charles, Bobby Bland, and B.B. King.
Medley first formed a singing duo with his friend Don Fiduccia, who also played the guitar, called The Romancers. He began to write songs and record multi-track recordings in his living room. At 19, he had two songs, "Womaling" and "Chimes of My Heart", recorded by 50s vocal group The Diamonds. Medley and Fiduccia then formed a group called the Paramours in 1960 with Sal Fasulo and Nick Tuturro, later joined by Mike Rider and Barry Rillera. The band had their first paying gig at Little Italy restaurant in Anaheim. The Paramours were signed to Mercury Records' subsidiary label Smash Records, and released songs such as "That's The Way We Love" and "Miss Social Climber" in 1961.
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