From an early age, Bill Medley had a passion for music. School glee club and amateur singing contests soon gave way to the albums of Ray Charles and Little Richard. That raw R&B influence would profoundly shape Medleyβs musical future.
As the pioneering βblue-eyed soulβ group the Righteous Brothers, Bill Medley and late partner Bobby Hatfield sang such huge hits as β(Youβre My) Soul and Inspiration,β βUnchained Melody,β and βYouβve Lost That Lovinβ Feelinβ,β the latter recognized by BMI as the most-played song of the twentieth century. Medleyβs duet with Jennifer Warnes for the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, β(Iβve Had) the Time of My Life,β became a worldwide No. 1 single on its way to winning an Oscar, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe.
But Medleyβs story isnβt just about the hits and the awards. Itβs about an immensely talented man who reached the pinnacle of fame, success, and excess, until the shocking murder of his wife, Karen. In time, this tragedy eventually helped him renew his commitment to both faith and family.
© 2003-2026