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How The Righteous Brothers Snuck a B-Side Past Their Producer Into Pop History Back in 1965
The Righteous Brothers’ 1965 recording of “Unchained Melody” became an enduring hit despite being issued as the B-side to “Hung On You”. The article says the duo used the less closely supervised B-side process to work outside producer Phil Spector’s control, with Bill Medley producing and Bobby Hatfield delivering the lead vocal; its success helped demonstrate their independence from Spector.
Radio DJs reportedly preferred “Unchained Melody” and played it instead of the intended A-side, turning the older song into a major hit. Hatfield won the lead-vocal role by an alleged coin toss, while Medley retained a high vocal passage Hatfield wanted to re-record; Spector was later credited on some pressings despite reportedly having little involvement. The song returned to the charts decades later, reinforcing its status as a classic ballad.
In short
- A B-side became the Righteous Brothers’ defining hit.
- Bill Medley produced the recording without Phil Spector’s direct involvement.
- DJs promoted “Unchained Melody” over its intended A-side.
Explained simply
The Righteous Brothers were American singers Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield, known for their close harmonies and powerful vocals. In the 1960s they recorded for producer Phil Spector, whose carefully controlled studio methods shaped many of the records he worked on.
A B-side was the song placed on the reverse of a single, while the A-side was the track promoted as its main attraction. “Unchained Melody” had been written years earlier, and its recording gave Hatfield the lead vocal while Medley handled production. The song’s lasting popularity helped make it one of the best-known ballads of its era.