Great Cedar Showroom
Foxwoods
November 4, 2023
The famous and historic rock and roller Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers, also dubbed back in the day as a singer of blue-eyed-soul, has joined up with talented Bucky Heard and brought a great show to the Great Cedar Showroom at Foxwoods in Connecticut on Saturday, November 4th.
Joining Medley and Heard were their band consisting of Tim Lee on Keyboards and Harmonica and who is also Tour Manager, Russ Letizia on Guitar, Walter Jones on Bass, Mark Tragesser on Tenor Sax, Andy Ray on Trumpet, Jess Gopen on Drums, McKenna Maples on Vocals and Diane Spann on Vocals.
The night turned out to be a fantastic look back at music that so many of us know and grew up with and which remains so relevant today. The Righteous Brothers music spanned decades and topped charts.
Bill Medley did a solo of “Unchained Melody” and dedicated it to Bobby Hatfield, one of the original Righteous Brothers who has passed away.
In later years much of the music was picked up by movie producers and used in feature films. One such song was the well-remembered and closing song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” from the movie “Dirty Dancing.” Bill Medley and his daughter McKenna Maples performed it at this concert, and it was a crowd pleaser. Even at the age of 83 Bill Medley has not lost his moves and danced a bit on the stage with his daughter.
He did say, as a proud dad would, his daughter was one of the main reasons he was still out touring. He enjoyed his time with her onstage.
The band did a cover of “Bridge Over Troubled Waters/Lean on Me” that was dedicated to all the service members past and present. It was a touching tribute and on the Tron screens they ran photos of veterans in happiness and struggles.
Bucky Heard came out and did an outstanding performance of “Nessun dorma” in Italian that really highlighted his talents and range of his voice. He and Bill Medley complement each other so well with Medley’s deep voice and Heard’s tenor.
I am not sure how much longer The Righteous Brothers will be touring but please if you do get the chance to see them do it. It was a memorable night with beautifully sung music done very professionally and you will be glad you went.
Review by Donna Erichsen
Photos by George Bekris
For more information on the band and their upcoming tour dates visit The Righteous Brothers
Setlist:
Hold On, I’m Comin’
Just Once In My Life
Little Latin Lupe Lu
(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration
Rock and Roll Heaven
Crying
Young Blood
Unchained Melody
Great Getting Up Morning
Somewhere
My Babe
Bridge Over Trouble Water/Lean on Me
(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life
California Dreamin’
This Will Be the Last Time
Good Golly, Miss Molly
Nessun dorma
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’