Sadly, during the afternoon of December 6, 1988, after spending time shopping for model airplanes (a hobby throughout his career and one he thoroughly enjoyed), he complained of chest pains and was rushed to a hospital in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Roy Orbison died shortly thereafter.
Roy Orbison is fondly remembered by millions of fans for is ballads of lost love and his creative songwriting abilities. His voice was also unique, an instrument of melodic invention.
Let's explore some this legendary rock and roll artist's achievements:
Awards/Honors:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987)
Songwriter's Hall of Fame (1989)
Grammy Awards (1980, 1988, 1989, 1990)
#1 hits:
"Running Scared" (1961)
"Oh, Pretty Woman" (1964)
Top 10 hits:
"Only The Lonely (Know How I Feel)" (1960)
"Crying" (1961)
"Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)" (1962)
"In Dreams" (1963)
"Mean Woman Blues"(1963)
"It's Over" (1964)
"You Got It"(1989)
R&B:
"Mean Woman Blues"(1963)
Country:
"That Lovin' You Feelin' Again"(1980)
"You Got It"(1989)
Other important recordings: "Ooby Dooby," "Leah,"
"Blue Angel," "Candy Man," "I'm Hurtin',"
"Workin' For The Man," "Blue Bayou," "Falling,"
"Pretty Paper," "She's A Mystery To Me," "I Drove All Night,"
"Not Alone Any More" (Traveling Wilburys)
Wrote or co-wrote:
"Claudette," The Everly Brothers;
"Bad Boy," Sue Thompson
"Down The Line," Jerry Lee Lewis
"I'm In A Blue, Blue Mood," Conway Twitty
"See Ruby Fall," Johnny Cash
Appeared in the movies: "The Fastest Guitar Alive" (1967), "Roadie"
(1980), "Roy Orbison and Friends: Black & White Night" (1988),
"She's Having a Baby" (1988),
"Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll" (1987)
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...