32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC It’s a long farewell, but that’s just fine for Bill Medley. “Retirement is going to be hard,” says the founding member of The Righteous Brothers. “This is all I’ve done. I love to be on stage.” Medley launched the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo’s final tour a year ago. It will extend into 2026, including a residency in Las Vegas. Bucky Heard joined Medley on tour when he brought The Righteous Brothers back in 2016. According to Medley, Heard is the only vocalist who could fill the role of the late Bobby Hatfield. The original duo’s place in the rock pantheon was secured by astronomic hits such as “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”—ranked by BMI as the mostplayed song of the 20th century—“Unchained Melody,” “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration” and the ’70s tribute to the genre’s pioneers, “Rock and Roll Heaven.” Medley’s 1988 sensation “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” recorded with Jennifer Warner for the film Dirty Dancing, earned both a Grammy and an Oscar. But he is equally attached to other songs. “I was the first to record ‘I Don’t Know Much,’” Medley says. “I love that song. I don’t know why it wasn’t a hit.” Medley remembers a time when, after completing an album, he and Hatfield would joke that their personal favorites would fall by the wayside while other songs jumped to the top of the chart. He admits that—away from stage and studio—he might prefer to range beyond the familiar hits. Earlier this year, he even released an album of country covers, Straight from the Heart. “But when you go on stage, they feel new,” he says of the iconic singles. “I love all of them.” Medley and Hatfield formed The Righteous Brothers in 1963, ushering in an era known for “blue-eyed soul.” The pair split in 1968, but would occasionally tour and record together until Hatfield’s death in 2003. The current tour features Medley and Heard performing favorites from The Righteous Brothers, as well as Medley’s solo career. “We’ve been pushing hard this year,” he says of the tour schedule. “I’m on my way to the airport right now.” Medley both dreads and welcomes his looming retirement from the road. “It doesn’t feel right,” he observes. “I’m going to miss all of it—except the traveling.” The Righteous Brothers perform 8pm Thursday, Nov. 6. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $81-$237. (831) 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com. COURTESY OF THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS Divine Inspiration Founding member Bill Medley takes The Righteous Brothers on one final tour. By Dave Faries The Righteous Brothers—Bucky Heard and Bill Medley—are responsible for some of the most popular songs in rock history. 101 WORD STORY CONTEST First Prize is $101 2nd and 3rd place winners receive gift certificates! We’ll publish the winners in our December 25, 2025 issue 1. All stories must contain the word “light” (or lit, lightning, etc.) 2. Stories may contain fewer than 101 words. 3. If a hyphenated word can be broken into two (or more) free-standing words it will be counted as two (or more) words. 4. Abbreviations are counted as one word. (“CA” or “California,” it’s still one word.) 5. Contractions are counted as one word. (“Isn’t” is one word; “is not” is two.) 6. Titles are not counted and are not necessary. 7. We reserve the right to re-title stories. 8. Poems are not acceptable. 9. Limit 3 entries per person. 10. If you mail in your entry, it must be submitted on 8.5 x 11 inch paper. Upload stories at: www.montereycountynow.com/101words or by mail: Monterey County Weekly 101-Word Short Story Contest 668 Williams Ave., Seaside CA 93955 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 Write your name, address and phone number on each page you submit. Monterey County Weekly assumes no responsibility for returning submissions. PRINT | WEB | MOBILE december 26, 2024-January 1, 2025 montereycountynow.com LocaL & IndePendent Potty-mouthed Parrot 6 | In a PIckLe 8 | rIng In the new year 38 | baroque bash 40 FIrst PLace generaL exceLLence • 2024 ca JournaLIsm awards • the winners of the 101-word short story contest run free with their imaginations to blur the lines between fantasy and reality. p. 20 101-Word Short Story Contest Roll With it Challenge Word for 2025: Light. All stories must contain the word “light” (or lit, or lightning, etc.)
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