Roy Orbison

Legendary Rock and Roll Singer-Songwriter

Roy Orbison was an American singer-songwriter and musician known for his distinctive, impassioned voice, complex song structures, and dark emotional ballads. His career spanned from the 1950s until his death in 1988. Orbison grew to fame with hits like "Only the Lonely" (1960), "Crying" (1961), and "Oh, Pretty Woman" (1964). His music was characterized by its melodramatic lyrics and Orbison's powerful vocal range. Despite experiencing a decline in popularity in the late 1960s, he enjoyed a resurgence in the 1980s, partly due to his involvement with the Traveling Wilburys, a supergroup with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Tom Petty. Orbison's influence is widespread, impacting many artists across various genres. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, a testament to his enduring legacy in the music industry.