"Unchained Melody"- AL HIBBLER

[DaMadFiddler]

Not bad. I think my favorite of the pre-Righteous Bros. versions is still the Les Baxter instrumental, though:

h7batrGW52w

There's a copy playing on my VV 8-30.

[dylanbradbury]

I'm 22 and I love this version of Unchained Melody as well as the wholesome sound of the gramophone. Thanks for sharing. :)

[OrodesIII]

Reminds me of an elderly African-American special education teacher I once knew who worked so hard until she died of cancer. I told her once that I had found this recording and at once the expression on her face changed and I saw her smile as I never had before.There was some sadness there too. "Al Hibbler", she said, "my favorite." That day Al Hibbler became my favorite too.

[sudikarthur]

During the Korean war walking guard dutry in Alaska.  Military AM radio would play this and homesick wasso intense.

[0me0my1]

This is the version I heard when I returned from the Korean War in 1955. Couldn't get enough of it. I later heard that Al Hibbler was blind. What a song, and what a singer.

[quesopilipinas41]

i thought todd duncan recorded the original unchained melody..

[GJoeJ010841]

The movie's star was Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch who went from football star to "movie star?" Think this was his only movie. "HE" was a fantastic song by Hibbler. It was also covered by the Incredible harmony of the McGuire Sisters. Joe

[GJoeJ010841]

The movie's star was Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch who went from football star to "movie star?" Think this was his only movie. Joe

[jvmoley]

this was the ''original'' only as al could sing it, copied but not surpassed

[DeannDmere]

omgosh!! I'm just discovering all of these great songs that i had no idea had so much history behind them! How they've been so influential on nationalities across the world! I never thought this man singing this song was a Black man who died here in my city of Chicago! He originated this song! I can't believe it! I'm a 27yr old lover of all music & just being curious about the history I'm discovering so much! It's Overwhelming & beautiful all at the same time! Thanks for posting this!.:)

[CarMarkids]

What memories! I remember hearing this on the radio but never owned the record. I heard Donald Braswell sing this in Vegas 2 years ago . A little different rendition but equal to the great Hibbler. Al recorded another song that was a big hit after UM....... it was called "He." Anyone remember?

[rvictor64]

Way before the Rightous Brothers had a hit with this record, Al Hibbler put such feeling into this beautiful song that no one has done it better. The instrumental version by Les Baxter in the same year, 1955, that Al released this song, is also excellant. Ron

[brgilbert2]

Thanks for the reply "gramophoneshane". The record my parents had was a compilation of several songs, something like "hits from the last 40 years". I do remember the comment though, that while recording his interpretation of the song, it drew a crowd.

[brgilbert2]

I am, by posting here, hoping someone can help me find one of Al Hibbler's recordings, on You-tube or otherwise.

It's called "The Birth of the Blues" and I am sure Al Hibbler made a recording of this. My parents had this in there collection but I cannot find it and I an sure it was Al Hibbler who was the vocalist.

[gramophoneshane]

@brgilbert2

I haven't got it, and I haven't been able to find it in any Columbia matrix lists yet.

Al Hirt recorded it, and I think the only version I have is the common Sammy Davis Jr recording.

I dont suppose you can remember what label it was on, or maybe what was on the flip side?

[MrDavenn]

According to Internet Movie Data Base, "The version of the song 'Unchained Melody' that was included on the original soundtrack is performed by somebody else in the movie itself."

It was performed by Todd Duncan in the movie and Al Hibbler's version was on the original soundtrack release.

[jegelskerdegtoo]

I saw the movie this song came from a long time ago on late night TV. It was a terrible B movie staring the guy who used to play Gerry Helper, the dentist neighbor of Rob Petrie on the Dick Van Dyke Show. This theme is played throughout the movie usually on a recorder, I think. It was a prison movie called 'Unchained.'

[akcoins]

Heard this version years after hearing the righteous brothers. The rb did a great version, but I think that Al Hibbler's is the best!

[dmhibb]

He was a star and civil rights activist, but to me he was family. he was a wonderful person

[dannyodoul]

Check out the mezmorizing version

by The Legendary Danny O'Doul

on Youtube.

I think you will enjoy it very much.

[anton2283]

The best of the best version of this great song!

[stbhs71]

This is the BEST version, bar none

Thanks AL

[Bills154]

Very nice voice! Nice song!

[CORKOG123]

Bobby hatfield did the best version from the Righteous Brother's

[01musicfan]

In my opinion this is the best version of this sone followed closely by Roy Hamiltion, the Righteous Brothers do a good version, but Vito and The Salutations did a version I'm not fond of at least their fast version, supposedly there is a slow version by them, which I haven't heard.

[packermanfavre]

There isn't a Righteous Brothers version, only a Righteous Brothers original.

I just wanted everybody to know that because I have seen it so much, and people too ignorant to look anything up on google, quite frankly, piss me off.

[01musicfan]

I'm not sure what planet you're from, but the original was done by Todd Duncan way back in 1955. Plain and simple, the version that is credited to the Righteous Brothers is what is called a COVER VERSION, since they're using the same lyrics as the Original 1955 VERSION, thiers can't be called an original. If you would follow your own advice an use google you would see that there were many version of the song before and after the Righteous Brothers.

[twinkie57401]

An interesting thing about the song is a guy claimed to write it in 1936, but Hy Zaret, the real author, fought him. It seems to be an internet hoax. They claim Al Hibbler recorded it years before the movie was made.

[carolmary43]

Al Hibbler an angel I've never forgotten...I heard his music in the 50's and remember every nuance.....Thanks!!!!

[tacc24]

Thanks Gramo, for posting it. One of my favorites. When I hear the younger people today talk about UMelody and they all know the RBrothers version, I always say, "Yeah, but you have to hear Al Hibblers version". You knew those guys could sing back then, very little background or enhancements, just great voices. . I'm glad the Hibbler family appreciates our comments. Love to you all.

[mjiyq2]

Pretty awesome, powerful version.

[banger1936]

The best version ever by a long way.Didn't he once sing with Duke Ellington?

[gabri716]

I hear this from Brazil and I liked so much.

Sandra

[TLADY1230]

The Hibbler family would like to thank ya'll for the wonderful comments ya'll leave for us to read and god bless you all.

[MaryNo40]

Moron

[Marmaduke48]

God Bless your family. Al Hibbler was such a talented man. Enjoyed hearing his beautiful voice.

[usfansw]

Hello Hibbler family, I bought the 78 when I was aged about 15 years. It was one of the first records I bought. This song HAS ALWAYS touched my heart and regularly hearing The Richteous Bros version was a constant reminder of this original and better version. Recently a local radio station played it, otherwise it's been difficult to find. A true classic. I wish many others had the opportunity to enjoy it also. Best thoughts. John.

[JuneBee55]

This takes me back to when I was16 in the mid-fifties and trying to get a certain boy interested - what a feeling! Oh youth - where have you gone?

The flipside was wonderful too - Daybreak. Anyone know that one?

[analyzingfunny]

Thank you so much. It is so great to hear that song. They keep taking it down; and to hear it in its original form.

[paulostroff99]

Up there with the Righteous brothers-towering above the rest. Bravo! TY.

[Philmoscowitz]

this is great, but i think the righteous brothers' version is the best.

[BethL71]

This is the version that I remember hearing as a kid. I guess that means I'm old !

[paulostroff99]

BethL71-  Ditto!

[chalomirof63]

One of the most beautiful tunes that evokes tears!! Love the Righteous Brothers, but Al Hibbler is the MAN on this one! Sorry! And just learned that Alex North composed the music!  Who knew!! Tnx for posting "gramophone..." - until Y.T./WMG pulls it!! LOL!

[reccemech]

I think Al Hibbler sang this better than anyone. The original from the Film Unchained.Les Baxter was an Orchestral

version.The song itself is a classic that surely will be re recorded for ever

[corvus13]

Todd Duncan sang the original.

[reccemech]

I Stand Corrected

[alben982]

I am not only enjoying this version of the song, I am enjoying the media in which it is played. Though I am in my mid 20's, I really enjoy listening (classic) songs from classic analog devices such as a record player. I don't know what it is, probably something embedded in the genes or memory. Thanks for the video.

[0114elvis]

My sentiments entirely bjkcpr3! The Righteous Bros absol utely crucified the song with their version as indeed do most modern singers! The've lost the art of keeping strictly to the melody. As far as i can remember this song originated from a1955 minor "B" film called not surprisingly "Uhchained"

[voivod]

I disagree. Both are good; the Righteous Bros version is more atmospheric and is augmented in many ways by Phil Spector, who in my opinion is the greatest producer in history.

[roylofquist]

My father owned a soda fountain/diner when this came out. I heard it on the juke box at least 20 times a day - even back in the kitchen where I washed the dishes. I love it to this day.

[54spiritedwill54]

1955 original... great! :)

[bjkcpr3]

MMM I'm old enough to remember the original! The more modern versions had too much warbling & yodelling which lost a lot of the original sentiment of this lovely song. How many prisoners would yell out from their cell windows with controlled vibrato? None, They would just (basically) Howl! Al didn't howl he just sang and touched a lot of hearts on his way

[butchthebeezer]

I saw Al Hibbler in Boston in 1954. He sang He, After the lights go out and Unchained Melody and he was terrific.

[tonnyy06]

this is a classic song have been sung by many artists . Al Hibbler is the original version.

[renew2day]

Les Baxter had the top selling version of this song, back in May, 1955.

Al Hibbler had the second biggest, hovering around #5.

And about #9, was the Roy Hamilton recording.

I love all versions, Have the original recordings. Each is precious, each in its own way.

But I prefer the Les Baxter version by far!

[analyzingfunny]

Wow. How cool. Thank You. That is great to hear it its original form. What I have heard about this disc recording is the "master" used to record it is destroyed when duplicating it. the duplicaters wear out, and the only thing left for humanity to hear this song is the recording. Thats why I see "from 78rpm/single) on Sirrius TV usic service.

[usfansw]

I bought the record when I was aged 13. What a lovely and well performed number here by Al Hibler. It's almost been forgotten. A clever record company would have re-released it.

[seranate]

I always said this was the one and only version I disliked the others

[237amy]

One of the orginal. Beautiful

[Rome41jm]

This is the right version of this song...I dislike the others.

[RayGettings]

This is the original version and remember it well . It was one of the favorite songs played in the Frankfurt American Teen Club back then.

[ShastaSmiling]

So this is how it got started, I really like this version. This is the one I think I need to learn.

[doowopdaz]

1955 original... great!

[ElvisKlan]

@doowopdaz

I'm sorry but the first recording was made by Les Baxter.

You can find it on YT

[DuoArtDanOz]

Wow , just love this! , thanks for Sharing :)