American musician, a member of the “Righteous Brothers” along with Bill Medley. Their close harmony came to exemplify white soul from the time they teamed up in 1962; their first hit was the following year.
Hatfield grew up a talented youth with many career options open to him. Popular and active in student body, he co-ordinated talent shows and founded his own rock group while in high school. He was one of the best all-around athletes, starring on several teams and receiving a baseball try-out offer from the L.A. Dodgers in 1958. After attending Fullerton Jr. College, he continued his musical performances, deciding to concentrate on the music field in 1962 after meeting Medley. Two teenagers from Orange County, CA, they had haunting high notes. They signed with Phil Spector in 1964. Their hit, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” went to No.1 on the pop charts and No.3 on R&B. They were often on the charts until their breakup in 1968.
Hatfield kept the name “Righteous Brothers” as he performed with Jimmy Walker for a while, then had two solo hit singles. He and Medley worked together once in a while and toured in 1983. Their music did not change much over the years.
Hatfield lived a quiet, low profile lifestyle.
The velvety-voiced baritone of The Righteous Brothers died on November 5, 2003. According to his obituary in the New York Times, his manager announced that Hatfield’s body was discovered in his bed 30 minutes before he and his musical partner were to perform at Miller Auditorium on the Western Michigan University campus. He was pronounced dead at 7:02 PM, and an autopsy determined that he died of a heart attack induced by cocaine. The Righteous Brothers had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 10, 2003.
Link to Wikipedia biography