The highlight of the artist Roy Orbison was the special timbre of his voice. In addition, the musician was loved for complex compositions and intense ballads.
And if you still do not know where to start getting acquainted with the work of a musician, then it is enough to turn on the famous hit Oh, Pretty Woman.
Childhood and youth of Roy Kelton Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was born April 23, 1936 in Vernon, Texas. He was born to a nurse, Nadine, and an oil drilling specialist, Orbie Lee.
Parents were not connected with creativity, but music often sounded in their house. When guests gathered at the family table, my father took out a guitar and played sad, vital ballads.
The world economic crisis has come. This literally forced the Orbison family to move to nearby Fort Worth. The family moved there in order to improve their financial situation.
Soon the parents were forced to send the children to safety. The fact is that in Fort Worth at that time there was a peak of a contagious disease of the nervous system. This decision was a forced measure. This was followed by another, but joint move to Wink. Roy Orbison calls this period of life "a time of great change."
Little Roy dreamed of learning to play the harmonica. However, his father gave him a guitar. Orbison independently mastered playing a musical instrument.
At the age of 8, he composed a musical composition, which he presented at a talent show. Roy's performance was not only brilliant, but also allowed the guy to take the honorable 1st place. Winning the competition gave him the opportunity to play on local radio.
Formation of The Wink Westerners
Studying in high school, Roy Orbison organized the first musical group. The group was named The Wink Westerners. The musicians of the ensemble were guided by the country singer Roy Rogers. The artists had a distinctive element of clothing, namely the guys used brightly colored neckerchiefs.
Despite the fact that the members of the group "sculpted" themselves, they quickly formed an audience of fans. Soon the performance of The Wink Westerners was broadcast on a local TV channel.
In the mid-1950s, Orbison moved to live in Odessa. He went on to study at a local college. Roy could not decide which faculty to enter - geological or historical. In the end, Roy chose the latter option.
In parallel with studying at an educational institution, the musicians of The Wink Westerners conducted their own program. The showmen were visited by such stars as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
The creative path of the artist Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison did not leave the dream to acquaint music lovers with his work. To do this, the young man even had to leave college and return to Memphis to the Je-Wel recording studio.
Soon the musician recorded two tracks - a cover version and an author's composition. After the influence of businessman Cecil Hollyfield, the musicians were accepted into Sun Records for the second time. This is the beginning of Roy's stellar career.
Sam Phillips, who did not believe in the success of the team, was delighted with the fresh sound of the melody. The producer suggested that the guys immediately sign a contract.
Then the musicians were waiting for regular tours, recording tracks, performances in local bars. The musical composition Ooby Dooby hit the top of the popular charts. In turn, Orbison's wallet got heavier, and he was finally able to buy his first car.
The group has existed for five years. Journalists put forward several versions of the collapse of the team at once. According to one version, the group broke up, because it was no longer possible to release top tracks. According to the second, the producer personally insisted that Roy Orbison take up a solo career.
But one way or another, the group was accompanied by a creative crisis, which, like a bomb, exploded at the most opportune moment. This is not a typo, since Roy's further creative career "only went up."
During the recording of the debut album, Orbison had a falling out with Phillips. He left the label, but at the same time he did not find a suitable "refuge" the first time. Soon the musician joined Monument Records studio. It was in this recording studio that Orbison's talent was revealed to the fullest.
Roy's acquaintance and collaboration with Joe Melson turned into a real hit. We are talking about the sensational musical composition Only the Lonely.
Interestingly, John Lennon himself and Elvis Presley "bombarded" the track with flattering reviews. The song went viral, with Rolling Stone calling it "one of the 500 greatest songs of all time".
Soon fans were waiting for another mega-hit. In 1964, the musician presented the immortal hit Oh, Pretty Woman. And the record In Dreams took the lead in the charts. But, unfortunately, success did not accompany Orbison for long.
Roy Orbison: decline in popularity
After popularity there was a creative crisis. Including problems in his personal life contributed to this. However, the artist decided to refresh his mood and tried his hand at cinema.
Orbison tried himself as an actor. In addition, he himself tried to make films. Unfortunately, Roy's fans didn't support his attempts to stay in the movies.
Despite the fact that Orbison's life was not the best period, his tracks sounded everywhere. Roy decided to remind himself. He went on a massive tour to refresh the memory of the "fans".
The artist managed to regain his popularity. He received a Grammy Award and participated in the new Electric Light Orchestra project. In addition, the musician added an album to his discography, which eventually went platinum. Finally, his name was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The acknowledgment was that Orbison's tracks have served as soundtracks for some films.
The last Mystery Girl compilation with the main song You Got It was released after Roy's death. The record went straight to the heart of music lovers. In addition, she has collected many favorable reviews from influential music critics.
Roy Orbison: personal life
Roy Orbison has always been surrounded by beautiful girls. The representatives of the weaker sex in the artist's life played an important and fundamental role.
In 1957, Claudette Fredi became the first celebrity wife. The woman was with Roy until her death. She moved in with him in Memphis. Interestingly, Claudette behaved like a real lady. Initially, she did not live with Orbison, but in the room of the owner of a recording studio.
One day, while shopping, she accidentally inspired the most famous musical composition. For Roy Fredy, she was a real muse. His wife bore him three wonderful sons - Devine, Anthony and Wesley.
Roy Orbison dedicated one of the most romantic songs of his repertoire to his wife. The man literally “sleeped” his beloved with compliments. The love of this couple was so strong that they reunited after a divorce.
In 1964, the couple divorced due to Claudette's antics. When they were officially divorced, Orbison ended up in the hospital with a broken leg. The woman came to the hospital to visit her ex. After Claudette's visit, the woman again went out as a bride.
Happiness was short-lived. On June 6, 1966, on her return from Brestol, Claudette was in a car accident. The wife died in the arms of a celebrity. In the future, the singer devoted more than one lyrical ballad to Claudet.
Unfortunately, this was not Roy Orbison's last personal loss. As a result of the fire, he lost his two eldest sons. The singer could not cope with the loss. He went to Germany, but suddenly realized that without his wife he did not want to create at all.
But time has healed his wounds. In 1968 he met his love. His wife was Barbara Welchoner Jacobs from Germany. A year after they met, the couple legalized the relationship. In this marriage, two sons were born - Roy Kelton and Alexander Orby Lee.
The woman tried to help her husband in everything. In particular, she became his producer. After the passing of Roy Orbison, Barbara dedicated herself to preserving the memory of her famous husband for generations to come.
The woman was actively involved in charity work and released a line of perfumes "Pretty Woman". And it was thanks to the woman that the world knew You Belong to Me Taylor Swift. Roy Orbison's second wife died in 2011 and was buried next to her husband.
Interesting facts about Roy Orbison
- One of the musician's tracks In Dreams was used in the intro between the 1st and 2nd chapters in the computer game Alan Wake.
- Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell declared May 1 "Roy Orbison Day".
- Claudette Orbison is the same "pretty woman" who created the song Oh, Pretty Woman.
- For his contribution to the development of rock music and unique vocal abilities, Orbison was nicknamed "The Caruso of Rock".
- The visual image of Roy Orbison served as the basis for the appearance of the comics and cartoons "Spider-Man" Doctor Octopus.
Death of Roy Orbison
In early December, Roy Orbison played a show in Cleveland. The artist then went to visit his mother in Nashville. On December 6, 1988, nothing foreshadowed trouble. Orbison played with his sons and usually spent the day. But soon the man became ill. He died of a myocardial infarction.
10 years before his death, the artist underwent triple heart bypass surgery. Despite the fact that doctors forbade him to smoke and eat junk food, he ignored all instructions.
