Bill Medley has fond memories of the Righteous Brothers’ early trips to Phoenix.

“Even before 'Lovin' Feeling,' we used to come and sing at some teenage nightclub,” Medley says. “I want to say it was on Seventh. Is there a Seventh Street in Phoenix?”

Yes, there's a Seventh Street in Phoenix.

Jack Curtis, a Phoenix teen-scene impresario who had his own TV shows and record label, started hosting teen concerts at a venue called Stage 7 in a building owned and operated by the Jaycees at 4133 N. Seventh St., near Indian School Road, in 1961, eventually changing the name to the VIP Club (sometimes known as the VIP Lounge).

It’s the club that gave young Vince Furnier a shot at local hero status with the Spiders years before he changed his name to Alice Cooper .

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“We loved going there,” Medley says. “And they would have us back about two or three times a year, so both Bobby (Hatfield) and I, we came to Arizona a lot, Phoenix and Scottsdale and all around. We just loved it.”

Formed in 1963 in Orange County, California, the Righteous Brothers made their first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Little Latin Lupe Lu,” a “fabulous stomp-a-rock’er,” as Cash Box described it.

Two years, they hit No. 1 with a single that remains one of the greatest recordings Phil Spector ever produced, “ You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling ."

A string of Top 10 hits followed, including "Just Once in My Life," "Unchained Melody" (their most-streamed song), "Ebb Tide" and the chart-topping "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration."

The Righteous Brothers played the Arizona State Fair in 1967

By 1967, the Righteous Brothers were big enough to make their first appearance at the Arizona State Fair, booked by Curtis. Other headliners that year included Julie London, Bob Hope on opening night and Andy Williams performing with Henry Mancini.

The Arizona Republic took note of the Righteous Brothers’ presence in that mix.

“The younger generation swings out Saturday night, Nov. 11, when the Righteous Brothers are front and center in the Coliseum spotlights,” The Republic wrote. “The delightful duo are ‘on top’ with the younger set – and even some of the ‘more mature audiences.’”

The Righteous Brothers' first appearance at the Arizona State Fair featured what the fair billed as “an all-star cast” with April Stevens, Nino Tempo and the Blossoms. Tickets were $3 and $5.

Striking up a friendship with Waylon Jennings in a Scottsdale club

In addition to appearing at teen clubs and the Arizona State Fair with the Righteous Brothers, Medley had some good times at a Scottsdale club called JD's, owned by J.D. Musil, where he played some solo gigs and bonded with the local talent.

“In Scottsdale, there was a really big, I don’t know if you’d call it a nightclub, but a showroom where the rock ‘n’ roll was either in the basement and the country music was on the first floor or something like that," he says. "And I love country music.”

Medley may be more associated with a style of music often labeled “blue-eyed soul,” but he likes other types of music, too.

“I'm a rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm and blues singer,” he says. “But I always thought country music was very soulful. So I’d go down to where the country band was playing, and they would ice me up about six beers, and I would just sit there all night, and the singer would come down and we would talk and have some beers and we became real good friends.”

That singer would go on to bigger gigs than JD’s.

“That happened to turn out to be Waylon Jennings,” Medley says, with a laugh.

Years later, their paths crossed again when Medley signed a solo deal with A&M.

“I walked in to Herb Alpert's office," he recalls. "And Herb said, 'Bill, I'd like you to meet this guy we're thinking about signing.' He said, 'Waylon Jennings.' And I had forgot all about his name. I said, 'Oh man, it's nice to meet you.’”

Medley laughs at the memory.

“He says, 'Bill, it's me! It's Waylon!' I said, 'Oh my God.'”

It was a learning experience for the Righteous Brother.

“Ever since that time,” he says, “I never say, ‘It’s nice to meet you.' I always say, 'Wow, great to see you.' I've met so many people in the business on their way up, but he was a great guy. He just was Waylon. And that's what I loved about him.”