Part 8/12:
Beyond pop stardom, Bill Medley made a significant mark in film music. His performances on soundtracks such as "Ghost" ("Unchained Melody") and "Dirty Dancing" became defining moments of his career. The story of "Unchained Melody" exemplifies how a song can transcend its original context to achieve iconic status, earning a Grammy and cementing its place in cinematic and musical history.
Medley discusses the process of recording soundtrack songs—often written by talented songwriters—and how his personal life coincided with these projects. For instance, he initially turned down "Time of My Life" for "Dirty Dancing" due to family commitments, only for his daughter McKenna to eventually perform it with him on stage, adding a heartfelt layer to the song's history.