Page 24 - Jackpot Magazine Tunica ~ August, 2025

The Righteous Brothers’ farewell tour coming to Horseshoe Tunica
TUNICA — The Righteous Brothers, the iconic soul duo, will perform at Horseshoe Tunica’s Bluesville on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 8 p.m., as part of their “Lovin’ Feelin’ Farewell Tour.” With a legacy spanning over six decades, Bill Medley and current partner Bucky Heard will deliver a nostalgic night of timeless hits that have defined
generations, including “You’ve Lost
That Lovin’ Feelin’,” “Unchained
Melody,” and “(I’ve Had) The Time of
My Life.” This performance promises
to capture the duo’s emotive vocal
stylings and enduring appeal, marking
a bittersweet milestone as Medley
approaches retirement.
scene, re-entered the charts, hitting No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 in the UK. The duo’s re-recorded version for Curb Records charted simultaneously, making them the first act to have two versions of the same song in the Top 20 at once. Bill Medley’s solo contribution to cinema also shines
through his Grammy-winning duet with Jennifer Warnes, “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” the theme for Dirty Dancing (1987), which became a cultural touchstone and further cementedhisversatility.
After Hatfield’s death in 2003, Medley continued performing solo to sold-out crowds but faced pressure from fans to keep The Righteous Brothers alive. In 2016, he partnered with Bucky Heard, an Alabama native with a powerful vocal range and a history of performing with legends like Andy Williams. The Medley- Heard pairing has been praised for recapturing the duo’s magic, delivering hits like “Soul and Inspiration,” “Rock and Roll Heaven,” and “Ebb Tide” with authenticity. Their performances,
including this farewell tour, blend
nostalgia with raw energy, drawing fans of all ages. The Righteous Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, with Billy Joel delivering a glowing tribute, and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005,
recognizing their enduring impact.
The duo’s journey began with regional hits like “Little Latin
Lupe Lu,” penned by Medley, and performances on ABC’s Shindig!, a groundbreaking teen music show. Opening for The Beatles and The Rolling Stones on their first U.S. tours in the mid-1960s exposed them to massive audiences. Despite a split in 1968, Medley and Hatfield reunited in 1981, touring extensively through the 1990s and early 2000s. Medley’s 2014 memoir, The Time of My Life, chronicles their remarkable career, which includes contributions to 33 movie and TV soundtracks. As they prepare to take the stage in Tunica, fans can expect a heartfelt performance celebrating a legacy that transcends music and film.
Get tickets and pricing information at a Horseshoe Ticketmaster kiosk or call Ticketmaster. Ask about VIP balcony seats to shows. Call (800) 745-3000, or buy online at ticketmaster.com.
The Righteous Brothers began in
1962 in Orange County, California,
when Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield,
both from different local groups,
joined forces. Initially performing as
part of a five-member group called the
Paramours, they soon broke off as a
duo, adopting the name The Righteous
Brothers after a fan exclaimed,
“That’s righteous, brothers!” during a
performance. Their contrasting vocal
ranges—Medley’s deep bass-baritone
and Hatfield’s soaring tenor—created a
distinctive sound that caught the attention of producer Phil Spector. In 1964, Spector signed them to his Philles Records label, a pivotal moment that launched their meteoric rise.
Their breakthrough came with “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and produced by Spector. Released in late 1964, the song became a No. 1 hit in February 1965 and, according to BMI, the most-played song on American radio in the 20th century, with over eight million airplays by 1999. Its lush orchestration and emotional depth exemplified Spector’s Wall of Sound technique, setting a new standard for pop music. The duo followed with a string of 1965 Top 10 hits, including “Just Once in My Life,” “Unchained Melody,” and “Ebb Tide.” In 1966, “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration” also reached No. 1, solidifying their status as blue- eyed soul pioneers.
The Righteous Brothers’ influence extended beyond music into cinema, most notably with “Unchained Melody.” Originally a 1965 hit, the song saw a massive resurgence in 1990 after its inclusion in the film Ghost, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. The romantic ballad, featured in the iconic pottery
The Righteous Brothers
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