November 6, 2003 10:34

RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS STAR FOUND DEAD

Bobby Hatfield discovered in his hotel room in Michigan...

THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS' BOBBY HATFIELD died yesterday (November 6) of undetermined causes at his hotel room.

The singer, who along with partner Bill Medley, was famous for massive hits such as 'Unchained Melody' and 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'', was discovered in his bed at 7pm - just half an hour before the duo were due to step onstage at the Miller Auditorium in western Michigan. He was 63.

Manager David Cohen told CNN: "It's a shock, a real shock." He added that Medley was "broken up. He's not even coherent."

Hatfield had been sleeping for most of the day in his room, though after he did not answer a wake-up call at about 6pm, the hotel's staff and authorities entered his suite and found his body.

It was then taken to a local hospital at around 10pm where an autopsy was performed.

Fans at the Miller Stadium were told by the venue's executive director Bill Biddle at 7.05pm, that the 7.30pm show would not take place due to "a personal emergency of an unspecified nature".

Hatfield and Medley first met in 1962 as part of the group The Paramours, but formed The Righteous Brothers a year later. The duo were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year.