Only The Lonely
Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison, 'THE BIG O' was considered one of the most distinctive voices in music history, was born in Texas in 1936. He was one of the original Sun Recording Artists and went on to have a life filled with tragedy and triumph, in equal measure. His musical counterparts included Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly and like those artist, Orbison’s inspiration and background lay in country and gospel music
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Whilst still at university, Orbison met Pat Boone, a musician who encouraged him to form a band. It was through this band and their early performances that Orbison met a young Johnny Cash, who helped him get his material to the owner of Sun Records. The result was Orbison’s 1956 single 'Ooby Dooby'. Following his success, Orbison went on to compose 'Only The Lonely',a tune he recorded himself after it was rejected by the Everly Brothers and Elvis Presley. It was the success of the record that prompted a string of hits, including 'Pretty Woman' and 'Cryin’'.
In 1966, Orbison was left stunned by the death of his wife Claudette in a motorcycle accident and shortly after his house burned down in a fire killing two of his three sons. Orbison busied himself with a grueling touring schedule to deal with his personal demons and re recorded a collection of his past hits for a retrospective album. It wasn’t until 1987, after years of touring, that Orbison’s career enjoyed a revival, when he collaborated with popular artists such as Bruce Springsteen, KD Lang for a live concert which was then released under the title Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night.
Orbison’s next venture saw him teaming up with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lyne and George Harrison to become the Travelling Willburys, in which they performed masquerading as a band of brothers. The band enjoyed commercial success and led to Orbison recording his final solo album, 'Mysterious Girl', spawning the worldwide hit 'You Got It'.
Orbison tragically passed away in 1988 at the age of 52, after suffering a massive heart attack.
In January 1989 he posthumously became the first musician since Elvis Presley to have two albums in the Top Five at the same time.
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