Roy orbison bio

(1936-1988)

Who Was Roy Orbison?

Roy Orbison formed his first band at age 13. The singer-songwriter dropped out of college to pursue music.

Roy orbison bio

He signed with Monument Records and recorded such ballads as "Only the Lonely" and "It's Over." Orbison was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Nearly one year later, in December 1988, he died of a heart attack.

Early Life

Roy Kelton Orbison was born on April 23, 1936, in Vernon, Texas.

A year before Beatlemania overtook the United States in 1964, the four lads from Liverpool invited Orbison to open for them on their English tour. On his first night, Orbison performed 14 encores before the Beatles even made it on stage.

Orbison was perhaps the most unlikely sex symbol of the 1960s.

He dressed like an insurance salesman and was famously lifeless during his performances. "He never even twitched," recalled George Harrison, who was simultaneously awestruck and confounded by Orbiso