Mourners remember that loving feeling

Deepa Bharath

The many worlds that Bobby Hatfield inhabited for the last 63 years

fused into one Tuesday afternoon.

Family members, friends and hundreds of fans jammed Mariner’s

Church to celebrate the life of the man who was musician, husband,

father, friend and practical joker rolled in one.

Hatfield, who along with his partner Bill Medley and their band,

the Righteous Brothers, pioneered what has been hailed as blue-eyed

soul, died last week in a hotel room in Michigan half an hour before

taking the stage for a scheduled performance. The Newport Beach duo

stuck together for 41 years and was inducted into the Rock and Roll

Hall of Fame earlier this year.

On Tuesday, giant screens played and re-played the band’s biggest

hits while flashing concert pictures and videos. Those in attendance

swayed to the lilting notes of “Unchained Melody” and tapped their

feet to the evergreen beat of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.”

Those who knew him best remembered Hatfield as they battled a

barrage of emotions. They expressed grief and devastation at his

sudden demise, but became ecstatic and nostalgic while remembering

the good times they had shared with him.

That incisive wit and wicked sense of humor everyone seemed to

adore in Hatfield was ever-present throughout the service.

“I finally got my dad to come to church with me today,” said

Hatfield’s daughter, Vallyn.

Before the laughs died down, she choked up and said tearfully:

“But I always thought it would be for my wedding. Not for his

funeral. It’s too soon.”

His son Bobby Jr. said Hatfield was the “kindest man” who would

indulge his fans and treat everyone with respect -- from waiters, bus

boys and casino workers to band members and others who worked for him

and with him.

His partner Bill Medley said he had no words to describe the bond

between the two.

“I can’t explain that bond,” he said. “I wouldn’t even try.”

Medley talked about the night he and Hatfield drove to the

Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa for their first concert as the

Righteous Brothers. In the car, for the first time, they heard

themselves on the radio.

“We were like a couple of 13-year-old girls,” he said. “We were so

excited to hear ourselves. It was an incredible feeling.”

“We pulled over to the side of the street,” he added, “and then we

made out for a little bit...”

A roar of laughter followed as Medley smiled and nodded.

“We were together for 41 years,” he said. “We were like this old

married couple. We were even beginning to look like each other.”

“And if I wore tight pants we could even sound like each other,”

he said with a laugh, referring to his own smoky, baritone voice that

complemented his partner’s higher tenor.

“People told us we were married except that we didn’t make love,”

he said. “But when Bobby and I went on stage, that was just like

making love.”

He would miss his friend, brother, partner and their two-part

harmony, Medley said.

“I’d miss our rock ‘n’ roll and being on stage and looking to my

right and seeing my friend,” he said.

Medley’s speech was received with a standing ovation.

Brad Garrett, co-star of CBS sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond”

continued where Medley left off rocking the house with his own brand

of humor.

“Bobby was really my mentor because he was the only one who could

out-drink and out-gamble me,” he said. “There were five words he

never said: ‘Let’s call it a night.’”

Band members also narrated fond memories and recalled their “boss”

as a man with an indomitable spirit and as one who lived life to the

fullest.

Those in attendance also learned that Hatfield was actively

involved in Lupus International for which he has raised more than $1

million by organizing charity golf tournaments. He got involved with

the organization after his wife was diagnosed with the disease

several years ago.

Karen and Will Banse of San Clemente said they came to the service

to “show our respect.”

“They brought a lot of happiness to their fans,” said Karen Banse.

“We just saw them in Las Vegas in June and their harmony and stage

presence is incredible.

“They may not perform any more. But their music will last

forever.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at [email protected].