Well worth seeking out is the original issue of this classic single that has been the subject of many heated debates over the years as to the identity of the producer of "Unchained Melody".

Although DJ and initial releases of Philles 129 "Hung On You" credited Phil Spector as the producer, the B side "Unchained Melody" had no producer credits, this was also the case with the Bill Medley produced tracks on the two previous Righteous Brothers Philles singles.

However, after "Unchained Melody" was switched to the A side following DJ's playing it in preference to main side and it started to climb the charts, Phil Spector's name appeared credited as producer on the subsequent pressings of the single and all other releases of the track ever since.

To set the record straight, the details of the contract for the recording session with the American Federation Of Musicians Of The United States And Canada is transcribed below.

View the original document

None of the Wrecking Crew as always used by Phil Spector are credited, many are personnel from the Righteous Brothers Band and used by Bill Medley for recording sessions.

Bill Medley has always been credited as producer of the other three tracks "Guess Who", "The Great Pretender" & "You'll Never Walk Alone" but not "Unchained Melody".

Date & time
2nd March 1965, 5pm to 8:30pm

Recording Studio
Radio Recorders
7000 Santa Monica Boulevard
Hollywood
California

Tracks recorded
Guess Who
The Great Pretender
You'll Never Walk Alone
Unchained Melody

Musicians
Carl Gilliam (leader)
Bob Edmondson
Frank Rosolino
Ken Shroyer
Philip Teele
Bill Baker
Louis Leos Jr.
Dennis Woodrich
Art Munson
Drew Johnson
Walter Anderson
Barry Rillera
Mike Patterson

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You've Lost That Lovin Feelin 2012 Universal Music UICY-75147

Just Once In My Life 2012 Universal Music UICY-75148

Back To Back 2012 Universal Music UICY-75149

The three Philles albums by the Righteous Brothers are now available on the newly developed Super High Material CD format, which can be played on any CD player.

A major feature of the set is that the albums are in both stereo and mono, so included are the alternate mono/stereo versions of "The Angels Listened In" and "Summertime".

As on the previous Japanese issue of the entire Righteous Brothers Philles catalog, "The Collection Of Their Golden Years" Verve POCP-2412/3 (1996), the master tape damage noise is evident again in the quiet sections of the right hand channel on the stereo recordings of "Ol Man River" and "What'd I Say" from the "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" album. Rather surprising in this day and age, that this couldn't be removed.
However, with the inclusion of the mono recordings of these tracks, they can be listened to without the distracting noise.


There was a promotional box issued to house the three CDs, using the front and back covers of the "Back To Back" album, that makes the set complete.

The Righteous Brothers Greatest Hits by Phil Spector - 1981 Verve 18MM 0585 Japan

At first glance this very rare 1981 Japanese vinyl album might appear to be the very familiar Righteous Brothers classic "Greatest Hits" album, originally issued in 1967 and reissued many times since then.

However, on this 1981 Japanese issue, the track listing has been changed to include B sides of the Righteous Brothers Philles singles not originally included on the Greatest Hits album, "There's A Woman" "The Blues" and "She's Mine All Mine" plus two Bill Medley solos from the Philles "Back To Back" album, "Without A Doubt" and "Loving You".

Even though the title has been extended to be the "Righteous Brothers Greatest Hits BY PHIL SPECTOR", as the changes have been made using the identical styling and original typeface, a casual viewing of the album cover can result in it being overlooked.

The back cover utilizes the original layout of the Righteous Brothers 1969 "Greatest Hits Vol.2" album, including the two photos of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield.

Track Listing;

You've Lost That Lovin Feelin
Just Once In My Life
Loving You
(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons
Hung On You
Ebb Tide

Unchained Melody
Without A Doubt
The Blues
White Cliffs Of Dover
She's Mine All Mine
There's A Woman

In the UK the follow up to "You've Lost That Lovin Feelin", "Just Once In My Life"/"The Blues", was released in April 1965 on London American HL9962 and then rather abruptly withdrawn by Decca. It was a controversial decision at the time, one of the reasons given in the music press at the time was "technical reasons", which could amount to anything.

It has been well documented that demonstration copies of the single were released before the withdrawal. Since then several had been in circulation, though very rare.

No regular copies of this release were thought to have existed but in the past few years copies have surfaced.

In June 1966, just over a year after the initial release, "Just Once In My Life"/"The Blues" was finally released by Decca on London American HL10066. There are no differences between the recordings of either issue.

Some misinformed record sellers are trying to sell the London American HL10066 issue by claiming it is the withdrawn issue, something to be aware of before buying or bidding on the item.