Roy Kelton Orbison (1936 - 1988)

Born 23 Apr 1936 in Vernon, Wilbarger, Texas, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Claudette (Frady) Orbison — married Sep 1957 (to 6 Jun 1966) in Kermit, Winkler, Texas, United States

Husband of Barbara Anne Marie (Wellhöner Jakobs) Orbison — married 25 Mar 1969 in Hendersonville, Sumner, Tennessee, United States

Descendants

Died 6 Dec 1988 at age 52 in Hendersonville, Tennessee, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: J. Salsbery [send private message]

Biography

Roy Orbison is Notable.

Roy Kelton Orbison also known by his nickname The Big O, was an American singer-songwriter, best known for his trademark sunglasses, distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country and western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis. His greatest success came with Monument Records between 1960 and 1964, when 22 of his songs placed on the Billboard Top 40, including "Only the Lonely", "Crying", and "Oh, Pretty Woman". His career stagnated through the 1970s, but was revived by several covers of his songs and the use of "In Dreams" in David Lynch's film Blue Velvet (1986).^[1]

In 1988, he joined the Traveling Wilburys supergroup with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne and also released a new solo album. He died of a heart attack in December that year, at the zenith of his resurgence. His life was marred by tragedy, including the death of his first wife and his two eldest sons in separate accidents. ^[1]

Orbison's vocal instrument bridged the gap between baritone and tenor, and music scholars have suggested that he had a three- or four-octave range. The combination of Orbison's powerful, impassioned voice and complex musical arrangements led many critics to refer to his music as operatic, giving him the sobriquet "the Caruso of Rock." ^[1]

"What separates Orbison from so many other multi-octave-spanning power singers is that he can hit the biggest notes imaginable and still sound unspeakably sad at the same time. All his vocal gymnastics were just a means to a powerful end, not a mission unto themselves. Roy Orbison didn't just sing beautifully—he sang brokenheartedly." ^[1]

—Stephen Thompson, NPR

Honors

Grammys

Best Country Performance Duo Or Group (1980) with Emmylou Harris

Best Spoken Word Or Non-Musical Recording (1986) with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Phillips, Rick Nelson and Chips Moman

Best Country Vocal Collaboration (1988) with k.d. lang

Best Rock Performance by a Duo Or Group With Vocal (1989) as part of The Traveling Wilburys

Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male (1990)

Other Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award (1998)

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987)[36]

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1987)[112]

Songwriters Hall of Fame (1989)[128]

Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2010)[129]

America's Pop Music Hall of Fame 2014

Vocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of The Traveling WIlburys

Sources

• Roy Orbison at Wikipedia
• Roy Orbison
• findagrave.com

From behind the ancestry.com subscription wall:

• Texas, Birth Index, 1936
• US Census, 1940
• U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

From FamilySearch:

• Birth: "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981"
  citing Digital film/folder number: 007622342; FHL microfilm: 1436234; Record number: 21; Packet letter: L
  FamilySearch Record: 4L61-4JN2 (accessed 19 April 2024)
  Roy Kelton Orbison born on 23 Apr 1936, son of Orbie Lee Orbison, in Vernon, Wilbarger, Texas, United States.
• 1940 Census: "United States Census, 1940"
  citing Affiliate Publication Number: T627; Line: 7; Digital film/folder number: 005458079; Image number: 15; Sheet number: 5; Sheet letter: A
  FamilySearch Record: K4QN-F2R (accessed 19 April 2024)
  FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-89MY-69M5
  Roy K Orbison (3), single son, in household of Aubie L Orbison (27) in Justice Precinct 1, Wilbarger, Texas, United States. Born in Texas.
• 1950 Census: "United States 1950 Census"
  citing Page: 14; Line: 15; Digital film/folder number: 108867901; Image number: 14
  FamilySearch Record: 6XPH-QMBP (accessed 19 April 2024)
  FamilySearch Image: 3QHJ-5QHW-Q9X7-Y
  Roy K Orbison (13), single son, in household of Lesley D Bishop (26) in Winkler, Texas, United States. Born in Texas.
• Death: "United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007"
  citing Digital film/folder number: DI0001099
  FamilySearch Record: 6K7G-1HWD (accessed 19 April 2024)
  Roy Kelton Orbison death 15 Dec 1988 (born 23 Apr 1936).

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Roy Orbison at Wikipedia