Review: Bill Medley brings it on home to Lido Live

Rock on, Bill Medley. If there was ever any question that this Righteous Brother might be running out of steam at 74, forget about it.

On Aug. 20, for the 27th year in a row, an energized Medley belted out rock ‘n’ roll classics and delivered his own signature take on the blues to an audience of devoted fans, who show up every year for the guy who keeps showing up for them.

There were a few moments when the voice that Lola Falana once dubbed “sweet thunder” seemed dangerously close to breaking, but not a chance.

Medley, a Newport Beach resident, reached down into the deepest recesses of his soul, as in his powerfully evocative “This will be the last time that I ever have the Blues” (from his 2013 album), and revealed the raw emotions of a man still very much in love with his music. Guitarist Larry Hanson killed it with his solo on this moving number, demonstrating a virtuosity rivaling Keith Richards.

Medley’s daughter, McKenna, captivated the crowd with the Everly Brothers song “Bye Bye Love,” sung in a slow, country-blues style all her own.

Twelve years after his musical partner’s death in 2003, Medley says he does the annual concert to keep the memory of Bobby Hatfield and the music they shared alive.

“I’m gonna keep doin’ this until I drop,” he said. “It’s what I love, and what Bobby loved, and what he would want me to do.”

For the last six years, the sold-out concert benefiting Lupus International has taken place at the Lido Theater, with the title sponsors being Newport’s Fritz and Marylee Duda family along with the Fritz Duda Co./Via Lido Plaza.

KOCE’s Ed Arnold has been hosting for 27 years, with Kent French of the Mighty Ducks production team serving as auctioneer for 13 of them.

According to Christina Kelly, president of Lupus International and the event’s organizer, “After Linda Hatfield died in 2007, Bill dedicated himself to carrying on this successful fundraising event to honor the memory of both Bobby and Linda, who suffered from Lupus and passed away in 2007.

“Every year without fail, he puts on an unforgettable show, along with his daughter McKenna and his incredible band. Part of the concert’s proceeds go to help college students with Lupus, paying for expenses not covered by scholarships.”

The silver-haired singer with the formidable bass-baritone voice brought the Lido Live audience to its feet more than a few times.

The program featured Righteous Brothers standards, such as “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’,” “Soul and Inspiration,” “Little Latin Lupe Lu” and “Unchained Melody,” along with Medley solo favorites “I Had the Time of My Life” (sung with McKenna) and “Brown Eyed Woman.”

The singer also wowed with remarkably original cover versions of “Rock Me Baby,” “Hey Jude,” “Baby What You Want Me to Do,” “You Don’t Know Me,” and an eclectic mix of ‘50s and ‘60s rock, blues, country and gospel.

Reminiscent of his live performances with Hatfield in the ‘60s, the consummate rocker jumped up and down, gyrated around the stage and emotionally engaged with his fellow musicians — Tim Lee on keyboards, Larry Hanson on guitar, Jamie Browning on bass and Matt Magiera on drums, as well as daughter McKenna.

This was impressive, as the Lido Theater is without air conditioning.

“Is makeup running down my face?” he joked, but just kept going.

One of the highlights of the evening was a duet with a concert attendee, John Hamilton, who won the winning bid for a chance to sing “Lovin’ Feelin’” with Medley onstage, a popular auction item that has raised about $100,000 over the last 16 years.

Encouraging a visibly nervous Hamilton along through the vocally challenging number, Medley put his arm around him and planted a kiss on his forehead. There were many displays of affection like this throughout the evening, showing the singer’s genuinely kind and caring nature.

Medley is famous for his dry, self-deprecating sense of humor. Before singing “Coco Joe,” a song written by Sonny Bono back in the ‘60s, he quipped, “Sonny went into a dark room, smoked a couple of beers and wrote a song about a monkey … and we got to record it!”

He often poked fun at his age: “I’m allowed five senior moments per concert, and this is my 14th.”

Medley’s parting words to the audience were “Support live theater. You need live entertainment in Newport Beach.”

Freelance writer SHELLY ERVIN lives in Newport Beach.