Bill Medley still has that lovin’ feeling (And we love him for it!)

I got Row 5 seats to see Bill Medley at the Palace Theatre in downtown Columbus.  Medley and his longtime singing partner, Bobby Hatfield, were the Grammy Award nominated duo “The Righteous Brothers.” Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, their album sales reached 5.4 million copies in an age when selling 1 million albums was considered exceptional commercial success.

Bill is 85. He lost Bobby Hatfield in 2003, a loss that is still palpable on stage.  Hatfield today shares the stage with Bucky Heard (59).  Heard unabashedly exhibits an “I can’t believe I get to do this” air as he duets with the man, he admits was his teenage idol.  I get it. Medley is the iconic baritone you remember from classic hits like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” and “You’re My Soul and Inspiration.”

“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” was named the most-played song on American radio in the 20th century. (21 million times and counting.)  The Library of Congress National Recording Registry selected the song to include in perpetuity as a recording that is “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.”

So, can Bill Medley still sing?  Barely. Age and a bout with throat cancer, thinning and stiffening vocal cords have resulted in a weaker, even hoarse sound.  Raspy?  Yes. Worth the price of admission? Absolutely.  I was watching history.  Like Elton John, Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton, Cher, and Bruce Springsteen – these legendary voices are a part of our uniquely Boomer story and likely a decade away from being silenced.

While on stage Medley was, at times, unsteady on his feet, had to frequently sit down, and stopped mid-sentence claiming a “senior moment” when he couldn’t remember what came next.  But, forget his voice and his place in music history (or a sentence,) what impressed me most about Bill Medley is that he is still doing it.  He’s worth $60 Million.  He doesn’t need to sing for his supper or the dozens of classic cars for which he is said to have a passion.

Why does he sing?  In past interviews he has said his music is “medicine” and the audience makes him feel “25 again.” Medley has said the stage is where he feels “most alive” and a concert gives him a reason to get up every morning.  Good enough. And good for Bill.   Literally.

In my decades serving older homeowners in the sale of their homes – and becoming an older homeowner myself – I increasingly question the wisdom in retirement. There is evidence that retiring reduces work-related stress, allows time for more ‘fun’ activities and better sleep.  However, my observation is that without purposeful planning there can be numerous life-shortening consequences.

Loss of social interaction, purpose, physical activity, and decline in cognitive function are also the result of ‘retiring’ when defined as the practice of pulling away from a regular schedule of meaningful investment in the world around us.   Sitting. Isolating.  No plan B.

In his book “Independence Day: What I Learned About Retirement from Some Who’ve Done it and Some Who Never Will” Steve Lopez notes the need to find meaning beyond our days of employment.  He writes “we all need to have the sense that we matter.  There is a human instinct to be and stay relevant.”  He calls retirement “a profound personal transition” that requires thoughtful consideration of one’s identity, purpose, and adaptability.  Lopez, himself, couldn’t fully quit his 4-time Pulitzer Prize nominated role as a Los Angeles Times Columnist.  His personal retirement is a “hybrid” approach of work and play.  (Side note to my Central Ohio readers: Lopez’ daughter attends Dennison University making Central Ohio a frequent location for his ‘play.’)  “I’ve stepped away” he says, “I just can’t let go.”  Fair enough.

Me?  I cheer Bill Medley.  Steve Lopez. And the thousands of brilliant age 70+ artists and educators, writers and contributors who still have the courage to stand on the stage of our lives and contribute richly to our culture.  Even if they occasionally forget the words.  I hope I have the courage and health to follow in their footsteps.

House Call is a blog written by Kathy Chiero, Licensed Realtor and Team Leader of The Kathy Chiero Group of Keller Williams Greater Columbus.  Find Kathy and her team at www.OurOhioHome.com