Overview
Roy Orbison was a uniquely gifted singer-songwriter known for his powerful voice, unconventional songwriting, and emotional vulnerability, making a significant impact on rock music despite personal hardships and an unassuming image.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
- Born April 23, 1936, in Vernon, Texas, to a working-class family.
- Raised with exposure to rockabilly, country, blues, and Tex-Mex music.
- Received his first guitar at age six and wrote his first song at eight.
- Played in the band The Teen Kings during high school.
- Recorded "Ooby Dooby" with Sun Records, securing his first minor hit.
Breakthrough and Career Highlights
- Signed with Monument Records in 1960 and refined his signature sound.
- Broke through with "Only the Lonely," which he recorded himself after being turned down by Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers.
- Between 1960 and 1965, achieved nine Top 10 hits and ten additional Top 40 singles, including "Running Scared," "Crying," "It's Over," and "Oh, Pretty Woman."
- His songs often featured nontraditional structures and showcased his distinctive three-octave vocal range.
Image and Stage Persona
- Known for his motionless stage presence and distinctive "geek chic" style, including thick glasses and later, signature dark sunglasses.
- Shyness, health issues, and an accidental switch to sunglasses contributed to his enduring visual trademark.
- Lyrics often expressed vulnerability and defied the prevailing norms of macho rock masculinity.
Challenges and Later Career
- Suffered personal tragedies with the deaths of his wife and two sons in the late 1960s.
- Popularity declined with the rise of psychedelia and changing musical trends.
- Revived his career in the 1980s through collaborations, a Grammy win, and being part of The Traveling Wilburys supergroup.
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and achieved late-career chart success with "Mystery Girl."
Legacy
- Died of a heart attack on December 6, 1988, at age 52.
- Remembered for his emotional honesty, musical innovation, and influence on generations of musicians and fans.