It was ten

years ago this summer that "Unchained Melody"

U.S. charts.

It was the

love song from the hit film "Ghost" and it shot

Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield, a.k.a. the Righteous

Brothers, back into the spotlight.

Their

career began in Orange County, a suburb of Los Angeles.

The two singers were performing on their own until one

night when they sang together. The audience response was

terrific and convinced the two to stay together. They

quickly developed a stage act, which featured urgent

back-and-forth vocal exchanges, and became

"brothers." Medley's soulful, rich timbre was

the perfect compliment for the higher pitched,

gospel-tinged range of Hatfield.

The

Righteous Brothers then joined forces with Phil Spector,

the mega-producer who was helping dozens of acts sell

millions of records with his "wall of sound"

technique. Their songs, "You've Lost That Lovin'

Feeling," "Just Once In My Life,"

"Ebb Tide" and "Unchained Melody"

made Medley and Hatfield one of the most engaging duos in

pop history.

They parted

ways in 1968 to embark on solo careers, but joined forces

again in 1974. They scored another hit with the song

"Rock `n Roll Heaven," but their reunion was

short-lived. The duo reunited several times in the 1980s,

most notably in 1982 for their 20th anniversary

performance.

Their solo

careers found some success. Medley teamed up with

Jennifer Warnes for "(I've Had) The Time of My

Life" from the "Dirty Dancing" sound

track. The song hit number one on the pop charts, but the

inclusion of "You've Lost That Loving Feeling"

on the Top Gun sound track proved that the Righteous

Brothers' star still burned bright.

After the

resurgence of "Unchained Melody," the Righteous

Brothers went back into the studio and back on the road.

The 1990s have seen a new generation of fans discover the

magic of the Righteous Brothers. "Considering how

long we've been in the business, this is a real

treat," said Medley. "It is a wonderful thing

to happen."

The

Righteous Brothers will play the Frederick Brown Jr.

Amphitheater in Peachtree City at 8 p.m. Friday and

Saturday, June 2 and 3. Tickets are $35 and selling fast.

Phone 770-631-0630.

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