Orbison, Roy

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'''Roy Kelton Orbison''' ([[April 23]] [[1936]] – [[December 6]] [[1988]]), nicknamed "The Big O", was an influential [[United States|American]] [[singer-songwriter]] and a pioneer of [[rock and roll]] whose recording career spanned more than four decades. By the mid-1960s Orbison was internationally recognized for his ballads of lost love, rhythmically advanced melodies, characteristic dark [[sunglasses]], and occasional distinctive usage of [[falsetto]], typified in songs such as "[[Only The Lonely]]", "[[In Dreams (song)|In Dreams]]", "[[Oh, Pretty Woman]]", "[[Crying (song)|Crying]]" and "[[Running Scared (song)|Running Scared]]". In [[1987 in music|1987]] he was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] and posthumously in [[1989 in music|1989]] into the [[National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame]].
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{{epname|Orbison, Roy}}
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{{Infobox musical artist
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| name              = Roy Orbison
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| Img            = 1965 Roy Orbison.jpg
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| Img_capt      = Roy Orbison in 1965
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| Img_size      = 250
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| Birth_name        = Roy Kelton Orbison
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| alias            =
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| Born        = {{Birth date|1936|4|23}}
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| Origin      = [[Vernon, Texas]], U.S.
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| Died        = {{Death date and age|1988|12|6|1936|4|23}}
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| Genre            = [[Rock and roll]], [[rockabilly]], [[Pop music|pop]], [[country music|country]]
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| Occupation      = Singer-songwriter, musician
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| instruments      = Vocals, guitar, harmonica
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| Years_active      = 1953–1988
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| label           
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| past_member_of    = [[Traveling Wilburys]]
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| website          = [https://royorbison.com/ website]
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}}
  
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Two misconceptions about Orbison's appearance continue to surface: that he was an [[Albinism|albino]], and that he wore his trademark dark glasses because he was [[blindness|blind]] or nearly so. Neither is correct, though his poor vision required him to wear thick corrective lenses. From childhood he suffered from a combination of [[hyperopia]], severe [[Astigmatism (eye)|astigmatism]], [[anisometropia]], and [[strabismus]].{{fact}} Orbison's trademark sunglasses were a fashion statement arising from an incident early in his career. Orbison had left his regular glasses in an airplane. Due to go onstage in a few minutes and unable to see without corrective lenses, his only other pair of glasses were dark prescription sunglasses. "I had to see to get onstage", so he wore the glasses throughout his tour of England with [[the Beatles]] in 1963, and he continued the practice for the remainder of his professional career. "I'll just do this and look cool." However, Orbison once said in an interview that he wore his glasses on a plane because the sun was bright and forgot he was wearing them, especially while on stage. Shortly after he finished performing, he looked in the mirror and noticed he had not taken his glasses off, so he laughed about it and continued to wear them for the rest of his career.{{fact}}
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'''Roy Kelton Orbison''' (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988), nicknamed "The Big O," was an influential [[United States|American]] singer-songwriter and a pioneer of [[rock and roll]] music. His recording career spanned more than four decades, its peak occurring between 1960 and 1964. Orbison is internationally recognized for his rhythmically advanced melodies, characteristic dark sunglasses, and occasional distinctive usage of [[falsetto]]. In 1987, he was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] and posthumously, in 1989, into the National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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Orbison managed to overcome years of personal suffering and periods of sub-par recordings to secure his legendary status with a resurgence in the 1980s. Today, Orbison is best remembered by fans as a staple in the realm of popular music, and in the music community he is revered for his unparalleled voice and exhilarating [[ballad]]s of lost love.  
  
 
==Biography==
 
==Biography==
 
===Early life and career===
 
===Early life and career===
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Orbison was born in [[Vernon, Texas]], the second son of Nadine and Orbie Lee.  After moving to [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]] around 1943 to find work in the munitions and aircraft factories which had expanded due to [[World War II|Second World War]], the family moved to the [[West Texas]] [[Petroleum|oil]] town of [[Wink, Texas|Wink]] near the border of New Mexico, in late 1946. Music was an important part of his family life.  
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Orbison was born in Vernon, [[Texas]], to a blue-collar family, the second son of Nadine and Orbie Lee.  After moving to Fort Worth around 1943, to find work in the munitions and aircraft factories which had expanded due to the [[World War II|second World War]], the family moved to the West Texas [[Petroleum|oil]] town of Wink, in late 1946.  
  
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At age 13 in 1949 he organized his first band, "The Wink Westerners". When not singing with the band he played guitar and wrote songs. The band appeared weekly on KERB radio in [[Kermit, Texas]]. Orbison graduated from [[Wink High School]] in 1954. He attended [[University of North Texas|North Texas State College]] in [[Denton, Texas]] for a year, and enrolled at Odessa Junior College in 1955 to study [[history]] and [[English studies|English]]. The Wink Westerners had some success on local television, being given 30 minute weekly shows on [[KMID]] and then KOSA.  One guest on their show was [[Johnny Cash]], who advised them to seek a contract with his [[record producer]], [[Sam Phillips]], of [[Sun Records]].  Sam turned them down ("Johnny Cash doesn't run my record company!"). Phillips added them to Sun Records' roster after hearing a recording made at Norman Petty's studio in [[Clovis, New Mexico|Clovis]], [[New Mexico]]. The Wink Westerners were renamed "The Teen Kings", and Orbison left college in March of [[1956]], determined to have a career in music. He ultimately headed for Sun Records in [[Memphis, Tennessee]].
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Music was an important part of his family life and in 1949, when he was just thirteen years of age, Roy organized his first band, "The Wink Westerners." During this time, Roy developed his vocal skills, [[guitar]] playing, and songwriting ability. Soon, the band began to appear weekly on KERB [[radio]] in Kermit, Texas.
  
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Many of the earliest songs he recorded were produced by [[Sam Phillips]], who also produced [[Jerry Lee Lewis]], [[Carl Perkins]], [[Johnny Cash]], and [[Elvis Presley]]. Orbison achieved his first commercial success in June 1956 with "Ooby Dooby", written by Orbison's friends from college. Named after his first wife, his song "Claudette" was recorded by the [[Everly Brothers]] as the [[B-side]] to their Number 1 hit "All I Have To Do Is Dream". The [[rockabilly]] and [[blues]] sound of Sun's artists brought Orbison little success and his career seemed over, although fans of rockabilly count his records among the best of this genre.  He worked at [[Acuff-Rose Music]] in [[Nashville, Tennessee]] as a songwriter, and then was given a contract by [[RCA]]. Eventually [[Chet Atkins]] referred him to [[Fred Foster]], the owner of [[Monument Records]], where he moved after his contract with RCA ended in 1959.
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In 1954, Orbison graduated from Wink High School and went on to attend North Texas State College in Denton, Texas, for a year before enrolling at Odessa Junior College in 1955. By this time, the Wink Westerners were enjoying some success on local [[TV|television]], being given 30 minute weekly shows on [[KMID]] and then KOSA. One guest on their show was [[Johnny Cash]], who advised them to seek a contract with his record producer, [[Sam Phillips]], of [[Sun Records]]. Phillips, who at the time was also producing music for [[Jerry Lee Lewis]], [[Carl Perkins]], and [[Elvis Presley]], would eventually add the Wink Westerners to his roster, changing their name to The Teen Kings. Orbison then left college in March of 1956, determined to pursue a career in music.
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Phillips felt that Roy had more potential as a solo artist than he and his friends did as a group. His first commercial success was achieved in June 1956, with "Ooby Dooby," which was written by his former bandmates. Soon after, his song "Claudette" was recorded by the [[Everly Brothers]] as the B-side to their Number 1 hit, "All I Have To Do Is Dream." At this point, Orbison entered a rough patch, working first at [[Acuff-Rose Music]] in Nashville, as a songwriter and then for a brief period at [[RCA]]. Although working in the field he loved, Oribison's dream extended far beyond writing songs for other musicians.
  
 
===Breakthrough===
 
===Breakthrough===
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In 1957 Orbison met songwriter Joe Melson in Odessa, Texas.  After hearing a song Joe had written entitled "Raindrops" with melodic twists and lyrical stylings, Roy soon asked Joe to write with him. Together they created a sound unheard of in rock and roll at the time: the dramatic rock ballad. They created many hits for Monument Records.  Fred Foster liked the new direction and assisted with the writing team's vision.  Roy's first record, "Uptown" was moderately successful.  With the release of "[[Only The Lonely]]" and its immediate rise to the top of the charts (#2 in the US, #1 in the UK), he went on to become an international [[rock and roll]] star.  His follow-up single, "[[Running Scared (song)|Running Scared]]" became a US #1.  Later, Roy wrote many songs with writer Bill Dees including "Oh Pretty Woman" which is, arguably, the most well-known song of Roy's career. Throughout his stay at Monument Records his backup band was a group of outstanding studio musicians led by [[Bob Moore]]. The play of Orbison's voice against the dynamic yet uncluttered sound of the band gave Orbison's records a unique and identifiable sound.
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Roy's break came in 1957, when he met songwriter [[Joe Melson]] in Odessa, Texas.  After hearing a song Joe had written entitled "Raindrops," Roy suggested that the two of them become writing partners. Together, they created a sound unheard of in rock and roll at the time: The dramatic rock ballad. In 1959, Roy moved to [[Fred Foster]]'s [[Monument Records]], where they were given full support by Foster to develop their vision.
  
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Orbison was a powerful influence on contemporaries such as [[The Rolling Stones]]. In 1963 he headlined a [[Europe]]an tour with [[The Beatles]]. He became lifelong friends with the band, especially [[John Lennon]] and [[George Harrison]].  Orbison would later record with Harrison in the [[Traveling Wilburys]].  During their tour of Europe, Orbison encouraged the Beatles to come to the United States. When they decided to tour America, they asked Orbison to manage their tour, but his schedule forced him to decline what was to become an astounding success.
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Roy's first record, ''Uptown,'' was moderately successful, but it was with the release of "Only The Lonely" and its immediate rise to the top of the charts (number 2 in the U.S., number 1 in the UK) that he went on to become an international [[rock and roll]] star. His follow-up single, "Running Scared" became a U.S. number 1, and from there, Roy would enjoy five years on top with other such hits as, "Crying" (1961), "Dream Baby" (1962), "In Dreams" (1963), and "Oh, Pretty Woman (1964)."
  
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Unlike many artists, Orbison maintained his success as the [[British Invasion]] swept America in 1964. His single "[[Oh, Pretty Woman]]" broke the [[The Beatles|Beatles]]' stranglehold on the Top 10, soaring to [[Hot 100 No. 1 Hits of 1964 (USA)|No. 1]] on the [[Billboard magazine|Billboard charts]]. The record sold more copies in its first ten days of release than any [[45rpm]] up to that time, and would go on to sell more than seven million copies.  The song later became the signature tune for the film ''[[Pretty Woman]]'', named for his song, which brought fame to actress [[Julia Roberts]].  
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In 1963, he headlined a [[Europe]]an tour with [[The Beatles]], who had not quite emerged to their superstar status at the time. Roy would become lifelong friends with the band, especially [[John Lennon]] and [[George Harrison]]. Orbison would later record with Harrison in the [[Traveling Wilburys]]. During their tour of Europe, Orbison encouraged the Beatles to come to the United States. When they decided to tour America, they asked Orbison to manage their tour, but his schedule forced him to decline what was to become the start of "[[Beatlemania]]."
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[[File:Roy Orbison (1965).jpg|thumb|350px|Orbison in 1965]]
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Unlike many artists, Orbison maintained his success as the [[British Invasion]] swept America in 1964. His single "Oh, Pretty Woman" broke the [[The Beatles|Beatles]]' stranglehold on the Top 10, soaring to number 1 on the [[Billboard magazine|Billboard charts]]. The record sold more copies in its first ten days of release than any [[45rpm]] up to that time, and would go on to sell seven million copies in all.  
  
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He toured with [[The Beach Boys]] in 1964, and with The Rolling Stones in [[Australia]] in 1965. He was successful in [[England]], logging three [[List of Number 1 singles from the 1960s (UK)|No.1 hit singles]] and was several times voted top male vocalist of the year.
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In 1964, Roy toured with [[The Beach Boys]], and then in 1965, with [[The Rolling Stones]] in [[Australia]]. After his tour with the Stones, Orbison signed a contract with [[MGM Records]], and starred in the MGM-produced western-musical motion picture ''The Fastest Guitar Alive,'' in which he performed several songs from an album of the same name.
  
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Orbison signed a contract with [[MGM Records]] in 1965, and starred in [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|MGM Studios']] western-musical motion picture ''[[The Fastest Guitar Alive]]'' in which he performed several songs from an album of the same name. Due to changes in musical taste he had no hits in the US after 1967. He remained popular elsewhere, but his American popularity did not recover until the 1980s. 
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===Decline in popularity===
  
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He had problems in his personal life, with the death of his first wife Claudette (Frady) in a motorcycle accident on June 6, 1966. In September of 1968 the family home at [[Old Hickory Lake]] in [[Hendersonville, Tennessee]] burned to the ground while Orbison was touring in England. Two of his three sons, Roy Jr. (b. 1958) and Anthony (b. 1962), died in the fire. His youngest son Wesley, three at the time, was saved by Orbison's parents.  He met his second wife [[Barbara Orbison|Barbara]] in August 1968 in [[Leeds]], [[England]]. They were married in Nashville on [[May 25]], [[1969]].
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With MGM, Orbison would have only moderate success with a string of U.S Top 100 hits, none of which would earn a Top Ten status. And after 1967, due to changes in popular musical taste, Roy would have difficulty breaking into even the American Top 100, though he would continue to record music steadily through the 1970s.  
  
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Songs that had limited success in North America, such as "Penny Arcade" and "Working for the Man," would go to Number 1 on the Australian charts, and "Too Soon to Know" was Number 3 in England.  His popularity extended to [[Germany]], and he recorded his hit song "Mama" in [[German language|German]].  His records were in great demand on the "[[black market]]" behind the [[Iron Curtain]].  In [[France]], he was viewed as the master of the ballad of lost love in the vein of that country's most popular singer [[Édith Piaf]]. A cover version of Orbison's "[[Blue Bayou]]" sung in French by [[Mireille Mathieu]] went to the top of France's record charts. Fans in the [[Netherlands]] founded his largest world-wide fan club. He continued to perform in [[Ireland]], despite the constant [[terrorism|terrorist]] activities in [[Northern Ireland]].  A rendition of the popular ballad "[[Danny Boy]]" on the 1972 ''[[Memphis (album)|Memphis]]'' album is considered one of the best recordings ever made of this much-recorded song.
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He also had problems in his personal life during this time, first with the death of his wife, Claudette (Frady), in a motorcycle accident on June 6, 1966.  Then, in September of 1968, the family home at Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, Tennessee, burned to the ground while Orbison was touring in [[England]]. Two of his three sons, Roy Jr. (b. 1958) and Anthony (b. 1962), died in the fire. His youngest son Wesley, three at the time, was saved by Orbison's parents.  
  
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His contract with MGM ended in 1973 and he signed with [[Mercury Records]]. He re-signed with Monument in 1976, but his career languished until the late 1980s.
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On May 25, 1969, Orbison married his second wife, Barbara, whom he had met in Leeds, England, the year prior. Though his top status in America had faded by this point, still, the artist enjoyed success overseas, particularly in [[Australia]], [[Germany]], [[England]], the [[Netherlands]], as well as behind the [[Iron Curtain]]. In [[France]], he was viewed as the master of the ballad of lost love in the vein of that country's most popular singer, [[Édith Piaf]].
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His contract with MGM ended in 1973, at which point he signed with [[Mercury Records]]. He re-signed with Monument in 1976, but his career would languish until the late 1980s.
  
 
===Resurgence in the 1980s===
 
===Resurgence in the 1980s===
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In 1980 Orbison teamed with [[Emmylou Harris]] to win the 1981 [[Grammy Award]] for [[Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]] for their song "That Lovin' You Feelin' Again."  In 1985 Orbison recorded ''Wild Hearts'' for the [[Nicolas Roeg|Nic Roeg]] film ''[[Insignificance (film)|Insignificance]]'', released on the [[ZTT Records]] label, produced by David Briggs and [[Will Jennings]]. The inclusion of "In Dreams" in the 1986 [[David Lynch]] film ''[[Blue Velvet]]'' also aided Orbison's return to popularity. He was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1987, with the induction speech made by [[Bruce Springsteen]] (who had famously referenced Orbison and "Only the Lonely" in his 1975 song "[[Thunder Road (song)|Thunder Road]]"). His pioneering contribution was also recognized by the [[Rockabilly Hall of Fame]]. Having signed a recording contract for the first time in 10 years, with [[Virgin Records]], he re-recorded his 1961 hit song, "[[Crying (song)|Crying]]," as a duet with [[k.d. lang]] in 1987 for the [[soundtrack]] of the motion picture, "''[[Hiding Out]]''". The song would earn the [[Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals]].
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[[File:Orbison1987.jpg|thumb|300px|Orbison performing in New York in 1987]]
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In 1980, Orbison teamed with [[Emmylou Harris]] to win the 1981 [[Grammy Award]] for "Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal" for their song, "That Lovin' You Feelin' Again."  In 1985, Orbison recorded ''Wild Hearts'' for the Nic Roeg film, ''Insignificance,'' released on the ZTT Records label. The inclusion of "In Dreams" in the 1986 David Lynch film, ''Blue Velvet,'' also added to Orbison's rise in popularity. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, with [[Bruce Springsteen]] giving the induction speech. His pioneering contribution was also recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.  
  
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''[[Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night]]'', a black and white [[Cinemax]] television special recorded at the Coconut Grove in the [[Ambassador Hotel]] in [[Los Angeles]] in 1988, brought Orbison to the attention of a younger generation.  Orbison was accompanied by a who's-who supporting cast organized by musical director [[T-Bone Burnett]]. All were fans and all were volunteers who lobbied to participate. On piano was [[Glen Hardin]], who played for [[Buddy Holly]] as well as [[Elvis Presley]] for several years. Lead guitarist [[James Burton]] had also played with Presley. Male background vocals, with some also playing the guitar, came from [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Tom Waits]], [[Elvis Costello]], [[Jackson Browne]], [[J.D. Souther]], and [[Steven Soles]]. [[k.d. lang]], [[Jennifer Warnes]], and [[Bonnie Raitt]] provided female background vocals.
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Having signed a recording contract for the first time in 10 years, with [[Virgin Records]], he re-recorded his 1961 hit song, "Crying," as a duet with K.D. Lang in 1987, for the soundtrack of the motion picture, ''Hiding Out.'' The song would earn the Grammy Award for "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals."
  
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Shortly after this critically acclaimed performance, whilst working with [[Jeff Lynne]] of [[Electric Light Orchestra]] on tracks for a new album, Orbison joined [[Bob Dylan]], [[George Harrison]], [[Jeff Lynne]] and [[Tom Petty]] to form the [[Traveling Wilburys]], achieving substantial commercial and critical success. He subsequently recorded a new solo album, ''[[Mystery Girl]]'', produced by Orbison, [[Mike Campbell]] (of Tom Petty's [[Heartbreakers]]), and [[Jeff Lynne]].  It included one track by [[U2]]'s [[Bono]] (who also wears trademark dark glasses and co-wrote the track ''She's A Mystery to Me'' with [[the Edge]] specifically for Orbison). At an awards ceremony in [[Antwerp]] a few days before his death, Roy Orbison gave his only public rendition of the hit "[[You Got It]]" to the applause of a huge crowd.
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''Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night,'' was a black and white Cinemax television special recorded in 1988, at the Coconut Grove in the Ambassador Hotel in [[Los Angeles]]. The program, which brought the musician to the attention of a younger generation, featured Orbison accompanied by a who's-who supporting cast organized by musical director, T-Bone Burnett. On piano was Glen Hardin, who played for [[Buddy Holly]] as well as [[Elvis Presley]] for several years. Lead guitarist James Burton had also played with Presley. Male background vocals, with some also playing the guitar, came from [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Tom Waits]], [[Elvis Costello]], [[Jackson Browne]], [[J.D. Souther]], and [[Steven Soles]]. Jennifer Warnes, K.D. Lang, and Bonnie Raitt provided female background vocals.
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Shortly after this critically acclaimed performance, whilst working with Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra on tracks for a new album, Orbison joined [[Bob Dylan]], [[George Harrison]], Jeff Lynne, and Tom Petty to form the Traveling Wilburys, achieving substantial commercial and critical success. He subsequently recorded a new solo album, ''Mystery Girl,'' produced by Orbison, Mike Campbell (of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers), and Jeff Lynne.  
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At an awards ceremony in [[Antwerp]] a few days before his death, Roy Orbison gave his only public rendition of the hit, "You Got It," to the applause of a huge crowd.
  
 
===Death===
 
===Death===
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Orbison smoked most of his life, and had triple [[heart bypass]] surgery on [[January 18]], [[1978]]. On [[December 6]], [[1988]], at the age of 52, he suffered a fatal [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] while visiting his mother in the [[Nashville, Tennessee]] suburb of [[Hendersonville, Tennessee|Hendersonville]]. <ref>Escott, ''Roadkill on the Three-Chord Highway.''</ref> At the direction of his wife Barbara, Orbison was interred at the [[Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery]] in [[Westwood, Los Angeles, California|Westwood, California]] on [[December 15]], [[1988]]. His two sons and their mother Claudette, who predeceased him, had been laid to rest at his request in the [[Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery]] in Nashville, Tennessee.
 
  
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His new album, ''Mystery Girl'', and the single from it, "You Got It" were posthumous hits, and are generally regarded as Orbison's best work since the 1960s. He was the posthumous winner of the 1991 [[Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance]] and in 1992 the popular "[[I Drove All Night]]" and "Heartbreak Radio" appeared on the posthumous album, ''[[King of Hearts (album)|King of Hearts]]'', produced by [[Jeff Lynne]].
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Orbison smoked most of his life, and had triple [[heart bypass]] surgery on January 18, 1978. On December 6, 1988, at the age of 52, he suffered a fatal [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] while visiting his mother in the Nashville, Tennessee suburb of Hendersonville.<ref>Colin Escott, ''Roadkill on the Three-Chord Highway'' (Routledge, 2002, ISBN 0415937833).</ref> At the direction of his wife, Barbara, Orbison was interred at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Westwood, California, on December 15, 1988.
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His new album, ''Mystery Girl,'' and the single from it, "You Got It" were posthumous hits, and are generally regarded as Orbison's best work since the 1960s. He was the posthumous winner of the 1991 Grammy Award for "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" and in 1992, the popular "I Drove All Night" and "Heartbreak Radio" appeared on the posthumous album, ''King of Hearts,'' produced by Jeff Lynne.
  
 
==Legacy==
 
==Legacy==
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Orbison is best remembered for his ballads of lost love, and in the music community he is revered for his song writing ability. Record producer and Orbison fan [[Don Was]], commenting on Orbison's writing skills, said: "He defied the rules of modern composition." Writer of many lyrics for [[Elton John]], [[Bernie Taupin]] and others referred to Orbison as far ahead of the times, creating lyrics and music in a manner that broke with all traditions. Roy Orbison's vocal range was impressive (three [[octave]]s), and his songs were melodically and rhythmically advanced and lyrically sophisticated, often incorporating the [[bolero]] form. Three songs written and recorded by Orbison, "[[Only The Lonely]]," "[[Oh, Pretty Woman]]," and "[[Crying (song)|Crying]]," are in the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]]. In 2004, ''[[Rolling Stone Magazine|Rolling Stone]]'' named those three songs plus "[[In Dreams (song)|In Dreams]]" on its list of the "[[List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time|500 Greatest Songs of All Time]]." In 1989 he was inducted posthumously into the [[National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame]].
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It has been written of Orbison, that for a man who had created such an impact in the music world, very few of his musical trends ever caught on. It has been noted that this is perhaps due to the fact that his style was so distinct and personal that ultimately it was a sound only fit for him.<ref>Trevor Baker, [https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2007/sep/25/atwhichsuccessfulbandshaventbeeninfluential Which Successful Bands Haven't Been Influential?] ''The Guardian'',  September 25, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2023.</ref> Yet, he has influenced many world-stage performers at least in part, including groups such as The Bee Gees and The Ramones, and solo acts such as Bob Dylan and Chris Isaak.
  
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From the stage in [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] in 1976, [[Elvis Presley]] called Orbison "the greatest singer in the world" <ref>[http://www.famoustexans.com/royorbison.htm http://www.famoustexans.com/royorbison.htm]</ref>, and [[Barry Gibb]] of the [[Bee Gees]] referred to him as the "Voice of God." Multiple [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]]&ndash;winning songwriter [[Will Jennings]] ("My Heart Will Go On," from the ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' soundtrack) called him a "poet, a songwriter, a vision," after working with him and co-writing "Wild Hearts."  [[Bob Dylan]], later a band mate of Orbison's in the [[Traveling Wilburys]], wrote "Orbison … transcended all the genres. … With Roy, you didn't know if you were listening to [[mariachi]] or [[opera]].  He kept you on your toes. … <nowiki>[He sang]</nowiki> his compositions in three or four [[octave]]s that made you want to drive your car over a cliff.  He sang like a professional criminal. … His voice could jar a corpse, always leave you muttering to yourself something like, 'Man, I don't believe it.'  His songs had songs within songs.  Orbison was deadly serious&ndash;no pollywog and no fledgling juvenile.  There wasn't anything else on the radio like him."
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From the stage in [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] in 1976, [[Elvis Presley]] called Orbison "the greatest singer in the world,"<ref> [https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/roy-orbison-talks-about-elvis-presley-and-only-the-lonely.shtml Roy Orbison talks about Elvis Presley and 'Only The Lonely'] ''Elvis Australia'', June 16, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2023.</ref> and Barry Gibb of the [[Bee Gees]] referred to him as the "Voice of God." Multiple [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]]&ndash;winning songwriter Will Jennings called him a "poet, a songwriter, a vision," after working with him and co-writing "Wild Hearts."  
  
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The seminal punk band [[The Ramones]] adapted some of his ballad style, as well as dress style.
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Three songs written and recorded by Orbison, "Only The Lonely," "Oh, Pretty Woman," and "Crying," are in the Grammy Hall of Fame. And in 2004, ''[[Rolling Stone magazine|Rolling Stone]]'' named those three songs plus "In Dreams" on its list of "The 50 Greatest Songs of All Time." ''Rolling Stone'' ranked Orbison #37 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.<ref>K.D. Lang 100 Greatest Artists: 37 Roy Orbison ''Rolling Stone'', December 3, 2010.</ref>
  
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In 2004, [[Rolling Stone Magazine]] ranked him #37 on their list of the [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty/ 100 Greatest Artists of All Time].<ref>{{cite web| title = The Immortals: The First Fifty| work = Rolling Stone Issue 946| publisher = Rolling Stone| url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty}}</ref> In 2006, Roy was remembered with a new book that fans from around the world came together and wrote with main author Chris O'Neil, the book titled "Straight From Our Hearts" was a very successful hit among fans on both sides of the Atlantic and even Barbara Orbison has asked for a copy to keep at the Orbison office located in Nashville. The book was a series of stories from fans how Roy impacted their lives and many many tributes were also contained in the book.
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In 2006, Roy was remembered with a new book edited and authored by Chris O'Neil, containing contributions from fans worldwide describing how the legendary performer had impacted their lives. The book, titled ''Straight From Our Hearts,'' was a very successful hit among fans on both sides of the Atlantic and even Barbara Orbison has asked for a copy to keep at the Orbison office located in Nashville. The book was a series of stories from fans describing how Roy had impacted their lives. Along with the book, The Essential Roy Orbison [[compact disk|CD]] collection was released, containing many rare songs. The collection charted in the top ten in seven countries and has triggered interest in releasing additional rare material.
−
On December 7th the announcement that a second volume of the book would be published with help of fans again and is set to be released for Roy's 20th anniversary of his passing in 2008.  
 
−
Along with the book, The Essential Roy Orbison cd collection was released to huge fan praise, the cd contained many many rare songs including "Life Fades Away", the song until 2006 was only available on the long out of print soundtrack to "Less Than Zero". The collection charted into the top ten in seven countries and has opened the door to upcoming releases of unreleased material that so many fans have been longing for.
 
  
−
They say that there is also as much bootlegged stuff as there is public stuff for the fans to collect and enjoy. One such concert is the  Country Club concert from 1981, which was at the time to be Roy's huge comeback concert for TV. The concert has yet to see the light of day in an official release, as does the many many concerts and rare recordings that fans have had among them for years.
+
In 1989, he was inducted posthumously into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
  
−
==Trivia==
+
==Misconceptions==
−
{{toomuchtrivia}}
+
[[File:Roy Orbison 1965 (2).png|thumb|300px|Roy Orbison with his original thick-rimmed glasses]]
−
*Toured with both [[Elvis Presley]] and the [[The Beatles]] early in their careers.
+
Two misconceptions about Orbison's appearance continue to surface: That he was an [[Albinism|albino]]; and that he wore his trademark dark glasses because he was [[blindness|blind]] or nearly so. Neither is correct, though his poor vision required him to wear thick corrective lenses. From childhood, he suffered from a combination of [[hyperopia]], severe [[Astigmatism (eye)|astigmatism]], [[anisometropia]], and [[strabismus]]. Orbison's trademark sunglasses were a fashion statement arising from an incident early in his career. Orbison had left his regular glasses in an airplane. Due to go on stage in a few minutes and unable to see without corrective lenses, his only other pair of glasses were dark prescription sunglasses. "I had to see to get on stage," so he wore the glasses throughout his tour of England with [[the Beatles]] in 1963, and he continued the practice for the remainder of his professional career.
−
*According to the [[Rockabilly Hall of Fame]] [http://www.rockabillyhall.com/RoyOrbison.html], at a [[press conference]] in [[Vancouver, British Columbia]], Sam Orbison said that his brother Roy Orbison was always "saddened by the sordid treatment of [[Elvis Presley]] in the aftermath of his death in 1977."
 
−
*Was good friends with [[k.d. Lang]]. Lang lent her vocals in a remake of the 1961 classic, "[[Crying (song)|Crying]]".
 
−
*The well-known [[Spider-Man]] villain [[Doctor Octopus]] is supposedly based on Orbison, especially his thick glasses and multiple vision disorders.
 
−
*He was well known in the smaller world of [[radio control]]led [[model aircraft]] as a champion modeler and flier.
 
−
*His song "[[In Dreams (song)|In Dreams]]" was used extensively in the [[David Lynch]] film ''[[Blue Velvet]]'', and Lynch would later feature a bravura [[Spanish language|Spanish]] unaccompanied solo version of "[[Crying (song)|Crying]]" ("Llorando") by [[Rebekah del Rio]] in his film, ''[[Mulholland Dr.|Mulholland Drive]]''.
 
−
*His early Sun side, "Domino", was used repeatedly in [[Jim Jarmusch]]'s ''[[Mystery Train]]''.
 
−
*Orbison was portrayed by [[Johnathan Rice]] in the [[Johnny Cash]] [[biographical film|biopic]] ''[[Walk the Line]]''.
 
−
*The character [[Roy Koopa]] from [[Super Mario Bros. 3]] was named after Roy Orbison.
 
−
*In the Adam Sandler film [[The Waterboy]] Coach Klein ([[Henry Winkler]]) has a tattoo of Orbison on his rear end.
 
−
* [[Van Halen]] covered "Oh, Pretty Woman" on their [[Diver Down]] album.
 
−
* Orbison performed "Oh, Pretty Woman" in the Season 3 [[Dukes of Hazzard]] episode "The Great Hazzard Hijack".
 
−
* "Ooby Dooby" is featured as the favorite song of [[Zefram Cochrane]] in [[Star Trek: First Contact]].
 
−
*Australian Idol Contestant [[Damien Leith]] sang his own version of "Crying" at the 2006 season's 'audience choice' night. He was apparently contacted by Orbison's family, who wanted a copy of Leith's version.
 
  
−
== Discography ==
+
==Signature style==
−
*[[Roy Orbison discography]]
 
  
 +
Record producer and Orbison fan Don Was, commenting on Orbison's writing skills, said: "He defied the rules of modern composition." Bernie Taupin, lyricist for Elton John, and others referred to Orbison as far ahead of the times, creating lyrics and music in a manner that broke with all traditions. Roy Orbison's vocal range was impressive (three octaves), and his songs were melodically and rhythmically advanced and lyrically sophisticated, often incorporating the [[bolero]] form.
  
−
==See also==
+
==Trivia==
−
*[http://www.royorbison.com Official Website]
+
 
−
*Video and televised feature performances:
+
*Toured with both [[Elvis Presley]] and the [[The Beatles]] early in their careers.
−
**''[[Roy Orbison - Live from Australia]]'' - 1972
+
*Sam Orbison said that his brother Roy Orbison was always "saddened by the sordid treatment of Elvis Presley in the aftermath of his death in 1977."<ref>[http://www.emd.ca/artists/royorbison.html The Roy Orbison Story] ''EMD Artist Representation''. Retrieved March 7, 2023.</ref>
−
**''[[Roy Orbison - Live at Austin City Limits]]'' - 1982
+
*The well-known [[Spider-Man]] villain, Doctor Octopus, is supposedly based on Orbison, especially his thick glasses and multiple vision disorders.
−
**''[[Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night]]'' - 1987
+
*He was well known in the smaller world of radio controlled model aircraft as a champion modeler and flier.
−
**''[[In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story]]'' - 1999
+
*His early Sun side, "Domino," was used repeatedly in Jim Jarmusch's ''Mystery Train.''
−
http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/orbison_roy/artist.jhtml CMT's tribute to Roy, also contains in the Video section, some extreme rare music video and concert footage which includes all the songs he did at the Diamond Awards ceremony on Nov. 19th 1988, just weeks before he passed., including "Walk On" and "Heartbreak Radio".
+
*Orbison was portrayed by Johnathan Rice in the [[Johnny Cash]] [[biographical film|biopic]] ''Walk the Line.''
  
 
==Notes ==  
 
==Notes ==  
Line 87: Line 105:
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
*Colin Escott, ''Roadkill on the Three-Chord Highway.'' Routledge, 2002. ISBN 0-415-93783-3 &mdash; has a chapter devoted to Orbison.
+
* Amburn, Ellis. ''Dark Star: The Roy Orbison Story.'' Carol Publishing Corporation, 1990. ISBN 081840518X
−
*[http://www.orbison.com/index.htm?sm_id=6277&sm_nm=Biography&smt_id=250&aPost=&loc=1 Biography] from the official website
+
* Escott, Colin. ''Roadkill on the Three-Chord Highway.'' Routledge, 2002. ISBN 0415937833
−
*[http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/exhibit_bio.asp?exhibitId=173 Biography] from the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]]
+
* Lehman, Peter. ''Roy Orbison: Invention of an Alternative Rock Masculinity (Sound Matters).'' Temple University Press, 2003. ISBN 1592130372
−
*[http://www.hotshotdigital.com/OldRock/RoyOrbisonBio.html Biography] from the [[hotshotdigital.com]]
 
  
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[[Category:1936 births|Orbison, Roy]]
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==External links==
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[[Category:1988 deaths|Orbison, Roy]]
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All links retrieved March 7, 2023.
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[[Category:Baptists|Orbison, Roy]]
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*[https://royorbison.com/ Official Website]
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[[Category:American male singers|Orbison, Roy]]
 
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[[Category:American country singers|Orbison, Roy]]
 
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[[Category:American rock singers|Orbison, Roy]]
 
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[[Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees|Orbison, Roy]]
 
  
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Latest revision as of 23:52, 24 August 2023

Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison in 1965
Roy Orbison in 1965
Background information
Birth name Roy Kelton Orbison
Born April 23 1936(1936-04-23)
Origin Vernon, Texas, U.S.
Died December 6 1988 (aged 52)
Genre(s) Rock and roll, rockabilly, pop, country
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, musician
Years active 1953–1988

Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988), nicknamed "The Big O," was an influential American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll music. His recording career spanned more than four decades, its peak occurring between 1960 and 1964. Orbison is internationally recognized for his rhythmically advanced melodies, characteristic dark sunglasses, and occasional distinctive usage of falsetto. In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and posthumously, in 1989, into the National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Orbison managed to overcome years of personal suffering and periods of sub-par recordings to secure his legendary status with a resurgence in the 1980s. Today, Orbison is best remembered by fans as a staple in the realm of popular music, and in the music community he is revered for his unparalleled voice and exhilarating ballads of lost love.

Biography

Early life and career

Orbison was born in Vernon, Texas, to a blue-collar family, the second son of Nadine and Orbie Lee. After moving to Fort Worth around 1943, to find work in the munitions and aircraft factories which had expanded due to the second World War, the family moved to the West Texas oil town of Wink, in late 1946.

Music was an important part of his family life and in 1949, when he was just thirteen years of age, Roy organized his first band, "The Wink Westerners." During this time, Roy developed his vocal skills, guitar playing, and songwriting ability. Soon, the band began to appear weekly on KERB radio in Kermit, Texas.

In 1954, Orbison graduated from Wink High School and went on to attend North Texas State College in Denton, Texas, for a year before enrolling at Odessa Junior College in 1955. By this time, the Wink Westerners were enjoying some success on local television, being given 30 minute weekly shows on KMID and then KOSA. One guest on their show was Johnny Cash, who advised them to seek a contract with his record producer, Sam Phillips, of Sun Records. Phillips, who at the time was also producing music for Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley, would eventually add the Wink Westerners to his roster, changing their name to The Teen Kings. Orbison then left college in March of 1956, determined to pursue a career in music.

Phillips felt that Roy had more potential as a solo artist than he and his friends did as a group. His first commercial success was achieved in June 1956, with "Ooby Dooby," which was written by his former bandmates. Soon after, his song "Claudette" was recorded by the Everly Brothers as the B-side to their Number 1 hit, "All I Have To Do Is Dream." At this point, Orbison entered a rough patch, working first at Acuff-Rose Music in Nashville, as a songwriter and then for a brief period at RCA. Although working in the field he loved, Oribison's dream extended far beyond writing songs for other musicians.

Breakthrough

Roy's break came in 1957, when he met songwriter Joe Melson in Odessa, Texas. After hearing a song Joe had written entitled "Raindrops," Roy suggested that the two of them become writing partners. Together, they created a sound unheard of in rock and roll at the time: The dramatic rock ballad. In 1959, Roy moved to Fred Foster's Monument Records, where they were given full support by Foster to develop their vision.

Roy's first record, Uptown, was moderately successful, but it was with the release of "Only The Lonely" and its immediate rise to the top of the charts (number 2 in the U.S., number 1 in the UK) that he went on to become an international rock and roll star. His follow-up single, "Running Scared" became a U.S. number 1, and from there, Roy would enjoy five years on top with other such hits as, "Crying" (1961), "Dream Baby" (1962), "In Dreams" (1963), and "Oh, Pretty Woman (1964)."

In 1963, he headlined a European tour with The Beatles, who had not quite emerged to their superstar status at the time. Roy would become lifelong friends with the band, especially John Lennon and George Harrison. Orbison would later record with Harrison in the Traveling Wilburys. During their tour of Europe, Orbison encouraged the Beatles to come to the United States. When they decided to tour America, they asked Orbison to manage their tour, but his schedule forced him to decline what was to become the start of "Beatlemania."

Orbison in 1965

Unlike many artists, Orbison maintained his success as the British Invasion swept America in 1964. His single "Oh, Pretty Woman" broke the Beatles' stranglehold on the Top 10, soaring to number 1 on the Billboard charts. The record sold more copies in its first ten days of release than any 45rpm up to that time, and would go on to sell seven million copies in all.

In 1964, Roy toured with The Beach Boys, and then in 1965, with The Rolling Stones in Australia. After his tour with the Stones, Orbison signed a contract with MGM Records, and starred in the MGM-produced western-musical motion picture The Fastest Guitar Alive, in which he performed several songs from an album of the same name.

Decline in popularity

With MGM, Orbison would have only moderate success with a string of U.S Top 100 hits, none of which would earn a Top Ten status. And after 1967, due to changes in popular musical taste, Roy would have difficulty breaking into even the American Top 100, though he would continue to record music steadily through the 1970s.

He also had problems in his personal life during this time, first with the death of his wife, Claudette (Frady), in a motorcycle accident on June 6, 1966. Then, in September of 1968, the family home at Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, Tennessee, burned to the ground while Orbison was touring in England. Two of his three sons, Roy Jr. (b. 1958) and Anthony (b. 1962), died in the fire. His youngest son Wesley, three at the time, was saved by Orbison's parents.

On May 25, 1969, Orbison married his second wife, Barbara, whom he had met in Leeds, England, the year prior. Though his top status in America had faded by this point, still, the artist enjoyed success overseas, particularly in Australia, Germany, England, the Netherlands, as well as behind the Iron Curtain. In France, he was viewed as the master of the ballad of lost love in the vein of that country's most popular singer, Édith Piaf.

His contract with MGM ended in 1973, at which point he signed with Mercury Records. He re-signed with Monument in 1976, but his career would languish until the late 1980s.

Resurgence in the 1980s

Orbison performing in New York in 1987

In 1980, Orbison teamed with Emmylou Harris to win the 1981 Grammy Award for "Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal" for their song, "That Lovin' You Feelin' Again." In 1985, Orbison recorded Wild Hearts for the Nic Roeg film, Insignificance, released on the ZTT Records label. The inclusion of "In Dreams" in the 1986 David Lynch film, Blue Velvet, also added to Orbison's rise in popularity. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, with Bruce Springsteen giving the induction speech. His pioneering contribution was also recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Having signed a recording contract for the first time in 10 years, with Virgin Records, he re-recorded his 1961 hit song, "Crying," as a duet with K.D. Lang in 1987, for the soundtrack of the motion picture, Hiding Out. The song would earn the Grammy Award for "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals."

Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night, was a black and white Cinemax television special recorded in 1988, at the Coconut Grove in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The program, which brought the musician to the attention of a younger generation, featured Orbison accompanied by a who's-who supporting cast organized by musical director, T-Bone Burnett. On piano was Glen Hardin, who played for Buddy Holly as well as Elvis Presley for several years. Lead guitarist James Burton had also played with Presley. Male background vocals, with some also playing the guitar, came from Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, and Steven Soles. Jennifer Warnes, K.D. Lang, and Bonnie Raitt provided female background vocals.

Shortly after this critically acclaimed performance, whilst working with Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra on tracks for a new album, Orbison joined Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Tom Petty to form the Traveling Wilburys, achieving substantial commercial and critical success. He subsequently recorded a new solo album, Mystery Girl, produced by Orbison, Mike Campbell (of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers), and Jeff Lynne.

At an awards ceremony in Antwerp a few days before his death, Roy Orbison gave his only public rendition of the hit, "You Got It," to the applause of a huge crowd.

Death

Orbison smoked most of his life, and had triple heart bypass surgery on January 18, 1978. On December 6, 1988, at the age of 52, he suffered a fatal heart attack while visiting his mother in the Nashville, Tennessee suburb of Hendersonville.[1] At the direction of his wife, Barbara, Orbison was interred at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Westwood, California, on December 15, 1988.

His new album, Mystery Girl, and the single from it, "You Got It" were posthumous hits, and are generally regarded as Orbison's best work since the 1960s. He was the posthumous winner of the 1991 Grammy Award for "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" and in 1992, the popular "I Drove All Night" and "Heartbreak Radio" appeared on the posthumous album, King of Hearts, produced by Jeff Lynne.

Legacy

It has been written of Orbison, that for a man who had created such an impact in the music world, very few of his musical trends ever caught on. It has been noted that this is perhaps due to the fact that his style was so distinct and personal that ultimately it was a sound only fit for him.[2] Yet, he has influenced many world-stage performers at least in part, including groups such as The Bee Gees and The Ramones, and solo acts such as Bob Dylan and Chris Isaak.

From the stage in Las Vegas in 1976, Elvis Presley called Orbison "the greatest singer in the world,"[3] and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees referred to him as the "Voice of God." Multiple Academy Award–winning songwriter Will Jennings called him a "poet, a songwriter, a vision," after working with him and co-writing "Wild Hearts."

Three songs written and recorded by Orbison, "Only The Lonely," "Oh, Pretty Woman," and "Crying," are in the Grammy Hall of Fame. And in 2004, Rolling Stone named those three songs plus "In Dreams" on its list of "The 50 Greatest Songs of All Time." Rolling Stone ranked Orbison #37 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.[4]

In 2006, Roy was remembered with a new book edited and authored by Chris O'Neil, containing contributions from fans worldwide describing how the legendary performer had impacted their lives. The book, titled Straight From Our Hearts, was a very successful hit among fans on both sides of the Atlantic and even Barbara Orbison has asked for a copy to keep at the Orbison office located in Nashville. The book was a series of stories from fans describing how Roy had impacted their lives. Along with the book, The Essential Roy Orbison CD collection was released, containing many rare songs. The collection charted in the top ten in seven countries and has triggered interest in releasing additional rare material.

In 1989, he was inducted posthumously into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Misconceptions

Roy Orbison with his original thick-rimmed glasses

Two misconceptions about Orbison's appearance continue to surface: That he was an albino; and that he wore his trademark dark glasses because he was blind or nearly so. Neither is correct, though his poor vision required him to wear thick corrective lenses. From childhood, he suffered from a combination of hyperopia, severe astigmatism, anisometropia, and strabismus. Orbison's trademark sunglasses were a fashion statement arising from an incident early in his career. Orbison had left his regular glasses in an airplane. Due to go on stage in a few minutes and unable to see without corrective lenses, his only other pair of glasses were dark prescription sunglasses. "I had to see to get on stage," so he wore the glasses throughout his tour of England with the Beatles in 1963, and he continued the practice for the remainder of his professional career.

Signature style

Record producer and Orbison fan Don Was, commenting on Orbison's writing skills, said: "He defied the rules of modern composition." Bernie Taupin, lyricist for Elton John, and others referred to Orbison as far ahead of the times, creating lyrics and music in a manner that broke with all traditions. Roy Orbison's vocal range was impressive (three octaves), and his songs were melodically and rhythmically advanced and lyrically sophisticated, often incorporating the bolero form.

Trivia

  • Toured with both Elvis Presley and the The Beatles early in their careers.
  • Sam Orbison said that his brother Roy Orbison was always "saddened by the sordid treatment of Elvis Presley in the aftermath of his death in 1977."[5]
  • The well-known Spider-Man villain, Doctor Octopus, is supposedly based on Orbison, especially his thick glasses and multiple vision disorders.
  • He was well known in the smaller world of radio controlled model aircraft as a champion modeler and flier.
  • His early Sun side, "Domino," was used repeatedly in Jim Jarmusch's Mystery Train.
  • Orbison was portrayed by Johnathan Rice in the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line.

Notes

  1. ↑ Colin Escott, Roadkill on the Three-Chord Highway (Routledge, 2002, ISBN 0415937833).
  2. ↑ Trevor Baker, Which Successful Bands Haven't Been Influential? The Guardian, September 25, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  3. ↑ Roy Orbison talks about Elvis Presley and 'Only The Lonely' Elvis Australia, June 16, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  4. ↑ K.D. Lang 100 Greatest Artists: 37 Roy Orbison Rolling Stone, December 3, 2010.
  5. ↑ The Roy Orbison Story EMD Artist Representation. Retrieved March 7, 2023.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Amburn, Ellis. Dark Star: The Roy Orbison Story. Carol Publishing Corporation, 1990. ISBN 081840518X
  • Escott, Colin. Roadkill on the Three-Chord Highway. Routledge, 2002. ISBN 0415937833
  • Lehman, Peter. Roy Orbison: Invention of an Alternative Rock Masculinity (Sound Matters). Temple University Press, 2003. ISBN 1592130372

External links

All links retrieved March 7, 2023.

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