Here’s a true story; Ok so I am at a friend’s party at his town house in Dallas one Saturday night in 1974. Around ten o’clock or so Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley (Righteous Brothers) walk in fresh from a small concert they played in one of the more hoity toity hotels in downtown, Dallas, the Hyatt Regency or some such place. This particular party was shaping up to be an all nighter but it was the shank of the evening yet and the party hadn’t really started. Most of the men present wore suit and ties, and there were a few lady cougars wearing various animal prints and a sprinkling of pretty models and Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders dress in their seventies best. So what business did I have there you’re probably already asking yourself? Well that night I was pretty much the house musician playing the guitar and singing after the party really got started around midnight and I’m dressed like I always dressed in the 1970’s blue jeans, boots and a piped western shirt with smiling arrow head pockets and six snap pearlized cuffs. Looking back on it now it makes complete sense to me that Bobby Hatfield would approach me as I sat on the couch to ask me this question and I quote; “Say, you ‘re one of the Five Americans aren’t you?” “Was,” I replied. Well, do you know where we (meaning he and Bill) might could go to have a beer and relax a little?” My reply was what any down on his luck, long haired, ex-rock star musicians, would be to that question in the year 1974, ”Well of course, we can go to my house.” 10 minutes later me Bob and Bill are tooling down the North Dallas Toll Way humped up in my pickup like three, 2 dollar show dogs on our way to Farmer’s Branch and the house that me and the First National Bank of Dallas owned at the time… Well mostly the First National bank. So we get there without getting pulled over (miracle) and break out a couple of six packs of beer among other things. I just happened to be in possession of a five foot baby grand piano at the time and it was sitting in mine and the First National Bank’s living room. After a few beers Bobby and Bill migrated over to the baby grand and began doodling around. The next thing I know I’m relaxing on the couch listening to full renditions of; “You’ve Lost That Lovin Feeling, You’re my Soul and Inspiration, Unchained Melody, Ebb tide, Little Latin Lupe Lu (written by Bill), Georgia, Just Once in My Life, and Rock and Roll Heaven (released that year)..... After the “concert” around midnight the boys were tired so we loaded back up in my pick up and I took them back to their hotel. It was a memorable night one I will never forget. Thanks again Righteous Brothers, two of the nicest guys I’ve ever got to meet in show business. RIP Bobby Hatfield.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 01:56:41 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015