The Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley: ‘I’ve had some real downs’

The soul singer is releasing his first album in nearly 20 years and looks back on a career full of major highs and devastating lows

For more than 60 years, Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers has made his living singing blue-eyed soul. But now, at 84, he feels the best way to express himself is by going hardcore country.

On his first new album in nearly 20 years, Straight from the Heart, Medley devoted every track to melancholy ballads made famous by country stars such as Kris Kristofferson, Hank Williams and George Jones. “I feel I can sing these songs, because I’ve lived these songs,” Medley said. “When you get older, you’ve seen a lot of ups and downs. And I’ve had some real downs.”

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