Volume II No. 11
 11-08-03
 Righteous Times
 author: Vance Cureton
 © Copyright 2003

 His name was a simple name. -- Bobby.

 A name common enough in certain parts of the country, especially
 the American south. But, the late Bobby Hatfield was a Northerner.
 He was born in Wisconsin, and was destined to become part of the
 popular singing duo that came to be known to millions as "The Righteous 
 Brothers."

 And "righteous" they were. Two white guys who were perhaps the
 best ever at singing a kind of music known as "pop-soul." The
 "Righteous Brother's" music was part Gospel, part Soul, a little bit of
 Pop, and even a bit of Rhythm and Blues. In a word, "those boys
 could sing."

 In fact, it is argued that "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin,'' - perhaps
 the "The Righteous Brother's" signature tune - is the most played 
 song in the history of radio. More than any Beatles song. More than 
 any tune from Elvis. -- Who's left? Michael Jackson? Madonna? Neither 
 has been around long enough. And neither has that one classic tune 
 that transverses all genres, and can reach into almost any heart, as 
 the song mentioned above.

 The "Righeous Brothers" music represents a different time in the 
 history of this country. When white artists actually started to cross 
 over onto black radio by singing in a style that emulated black music, 
 instead of just stealing and "bleaching" tunes as was done in the 50's 
 and earlier. In fact, "The Righteous Brother's" producer Phil Specter 
 created a musical sound that was as unique as Motown, as legitimate,
 almost as successful, and as enduring today.

 But, the "Righteous Brother's" era was also marred by the lack of 
 cross-over magic for great black entertainers such as "James Brown," 
 "Wilson Pickett," or "Joe Tex," black musical groups such as the 
 guitar-loving "Isley Brothers," or the bubble gum teen sound of 
 "The Delfonics," and "The Moments." All of them wonderful in 
 their own way, and with a musical identity that white youngsters 
 would have loved, if they had ever actually heard the music. -- But, 
 countless black artists and groups {outside of Motown } with 
 crossover potential received nary a minute of air time on white music 
 stations in the 1960's, and men such as the once-gifted Brown { beloved 
 by the American public today } received their due only after advancing 
 age has taken a horrible toll.

 So we are left with memories when the music first mixed. More one 
 way than the other. When civil rights was a new concept. Memories of 
 a time when the recreational drugs of choice were LSD, pot, and junk.

 Sex did not come with a death sentence attached.

 But, things got done. Lunch counters opened up. Miranda became the
 law of the land. A rocket went to the moon. And men walked on the moon. 
 College students protested and The Vietnam War would soon fade
 into history. "Women's Lib" became a popular term. Differences began 
 to be celebrated instead of disparged. 

 All the while, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin"  just kept playin' on 
 the radio.

 Those were "Righteous Times," indeed. Change was in the air, however 
 painful and abrubt. We would do well never to forget those halcyon 
 days. And take heart that because of those musicians, artists, writers 
 and politicians, who reached out, and imagined the unimaginable.

 So much was accomplished -- when it needed to be.

 In fact, there is so much we can take for granted today.

 But beware. Our civil liberties are being threatened. Religious intolerance 
 is on the rise. Differences are denounced. All our neighbors are suspect.
 Desperate illegal immigrants are exploited by businesses large and small. 

 Unions are under siege. Medical care is out of the reach of those whose
 need is greatest.

 The music on the radio is full of misogyny and hate.

 Children grow up in a minute instead of a day.

 Innocence is a term found in the dictionary and nowhere else.

 The inner cities are shooting galleries. Bullets fly at night.

 Have we come too far? Too fast?

 We can use another decade like the sixties. -- Yes we can.

 "Bring back that lovin' feelin."

 Bobby please sing it one more time.
 

 ReadingPost.Com
 © Copyright 2003

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