Track Listing: Little Latin Lupe Lu (Medley) | Justine (Harris, Terry) | Crying blues (Medley, Hatfield) | Gotta tell you how I feel (Medley, Hatfield) | Burn on love (DeShannon, Nitzsche) | You can have her (Cook) | At my front door (Abner, Moore) | There she goes (Medley, Hatfield) | I still love you (Tempio) | I need a girl (Medley)
This collection of recordings from the Moonglow label date from 1962 to 1964, were produced by William Thomas "Bill" Medley, were made at Moonglow's studio at 6359 Selma Avenue, Los Angeles, have a raw bluesy and R&B feel, and occasionally a somewhat muddy sound quality. Most of the tracks were backed by a combo of guitar, bass and drums. While not as commercial or as successful as their classic recordings with Phil Spector producing, they showcase Medley and Hatfield's ability to connect with their audience.
Various musicians were used for the sessions, including drummer Larry Brown, guitarists Buzz Clifford, Danny Moore, James Fleming and Barry Rillera.
Medley had been a member of The Paramours from Santa Ana, California, and Hatfield had been with The Variations of Anaheim, California. The first recording they made as a duo was "Little Latin Lupe Lu", 1962, which was composed when Medley was 19 and was about his girl friend at high school. They contacted Rene Jan van Hoogten (Ray Maxwell), the owner of Moonglow Records, and he auditioned them but suggested they needed a better name. Often at performances, Marines from a nearby base would comment on their performance, "That was righteous, brother!"
In 1964 Phil Spector bought out the last two years of their contract with Moonglow Records and they transferred to the Philles label.
In 2024 Review Times noted that Bill Medley and Bucky Heard still perform as The Righteous Brothers.
Bobby Hatfield died from advanced coronary disease connected with drug use on 5 November 2003.
Image: Collection of Martin Whitell.
102 | 29 March 2026
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