To many, Roy Orbison is best known for his highly successful single "Oh, Pretty Woman." But Orbison's career spanned many decades and he was an accomplished songwriter and legendary performer.
Let's explore the life of this music legend:
Roy Orbison was born in Vernon, Texas in 1936 and music quickly became an important element in his life. His father gave him a guitar when he was six-years old and by the age of thirteen he organized his first band called "The Wink Westerners," which was named after the town that his family had relocated to. The band had some success on local television and was allotted 30 minute weekly shows. It was at one of these shows where Orbison met one of his guests, a man named Johnny Cash.
Cash advised him to try and get a contract with record producer Sam Phillips of Sun Records. Phillips would turn them down at first, but relented and added the band to the Sun roster after hearing a recording that was created at Norman Petty's studio in Clovis, N.M. The band was renamed "The Teen Kings." Orbison left for college in March of 1956 and ultimately headed for Sun Records in Memphis to pursue a career in music.
His first commercially successful song came in June of 1956 with the rockabilly single called "Ooby Dooby" (which was written by friends of Orbison). His song "Claudette" (named after his first wife) was recorded by the Everly Brothers in 1958 and was included as the B-side to their smash hit, "All I Have To Do Is Dream" (Claudette peaked at #30 in May of 1958).
However, Orbison's breakthrough hit was "Only The Lonely," which was a 1960 #2 hit in the US as well as #1 hit in the UK. Orbison had met songwriter Joe Melson and liking the way that Melson incorporated melodic twists and lyrical styling into his songs, asked him to write with him. Together, they created the unique sound that Orbison would soon be famous for- the dramatic rock ballad.
Orbison also scored a #1 US hit in 1961 with the song "Running Scared,' as well as scoring another #1 hit in the US with the cut "Crying," an almost over-the-top ballad that featured his brilliant and now internationally famous warble.
In 1963, he headlined a tour with the Beatles, but was soon demoted to the opening act. Nonetheless, he developed lifelong friendships with the band, especially George Harrison and John Lennon. In fact, Orbison encouraged the Fab Four to come to the United States and try and sell their sound.
Article comments
1 - Rene Dwight
Roy was greatly underestimated when it comes to his place in recent music history, maybe his sunglasses image held him back but it has to be said he was a "one of a kind". It is said he took on the songs that Elvis's voice did not suit [ those with a higher operatic pitch ].. People like Roy, Buddy Holly and Rock Nelson have all been a great influence on my own music and I can only aspire to be even just the slightest bit as good as them..
Rene Dwight - The Blue Cougars...