I sat in my seat waiting at Theatre in The Round near San Francisco one night in 1967. I was dating a new guy and he, hoping to impress me, had gotten tickets to see The Righteous Brothers.
I was impressed right up to the moment he said he was sorry but our seats weren’t together.
At first, I was so disappointed. But then, the lights dimmed and the boys were on stage. The magic of their voices and especially “Unchained Melody” filled the room and my heart.
I didn’t care where this new guy, who would eventually be my husband, was sitting.
In the 30 plus years we were married before his death, David and I would see and hear our beloved duo two more times. One time was on an anniversary trip to Las Vegas. It was a fun trip, but our final time seeing them was more significant.
In February 2002, our daughter Tiffany and I took David on one last trip to see family in California. We knew his time was limited. He would die in May that year.
On the way there, we stopped in Reno to see The Righteous Brothers. Still magical, it meant so much to David to see them one last time. He repeatedly thanked me for bringing him. He cried through much of the concert.
My heart always skips a beat when I hear the introduction of “Unchained Melody.”
Some years later, Brother Bobby Hatfield passed as well. Later, my husband Tom and I went to see the New Righteous Brothers. Bill Medley is still singing and he has a young guy with him. He has a wonderful voice and does the music justice.
I wondered how they would do the song that featured Bobby’s high voice.
Beautifully. At the end of the show, Bill sits on a stool with video images of Bobby playing behind him. He sings the song in his beautiful bass voice.
Again, magical. It is forever a piece of my heart.
Music and certain songs are inspiration for our memories and emotions. It is a major influence on our lives. It is successfully used as therapy for Alzheimer’s patients.
This time of year especially, the Christmas carols take us to another time, another place. Childhood holidays with family and friends are easily recalled when we hear certain songs. It’s a gift.
Life is good today. â–
