Rock History.....Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison at work

The first time you heard Roy Orbison, you knew. You just knew, you had never heard anyone sing like that. 

Pretty Woman from Black and White Night

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To this day, some fifty plus years later, I still haven't heard anyone who can match his effortless style and range. 

Rockabilly Royalty 

Everything you ever wanted to know about Roy

The man oozed confidence and poise. His voice was so powerful yet so tender he could make you cry and laugh with the same line.

Linda Ronstadt and K.D. Lang were able to sing with him or sing his songs very well but nobody could ever match Roy Orbison. 

The Traveling Wilburys

Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, George Harrison, and Jeff Lynne

Orbison's official web site

Early rockabilly yes, early Nashville balladeer, yes.

It didn't matter what he chose to do with that voice. No matter what he did, he did it better than anyone else. 

And he did it all with Vernon, Texas upbringing.

links to videos

Roy Orbison eating cake with the Beatles

We didn't see a lot of Roy for several years. I don't know why maybe it was market changes. Maybe we moved onto newer sounds.

But when we did  hear him or watch him with younger artists, he always stole the show. 

He didn't have to try. The brilliance naturally pushed through whatever else was going on. 

Roy Orbison teaching a generation to love the harmonica

That last black and white film was an absolute killer. I watch it every time it comes on television.

We lost him early as we have so many great talents. But even to the last Roy's voice was at the top of everybody's list. 

He may not have been Rockabilly's daddy like Carl Perkins but he was the best voice. Roy was Rockabilly's favorite uncle.

Roy Orbison, the best.    

  John B. Boykin 
 "The Hard Hat Photographer"

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