by Robert Wilkinson
April 23 marks the birthday of one of the greatest musical talents of the 20th Century. A contemporary of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins at Sun Records, "Roy the Boy" was one of the more unlikely looking rock stars ever to leave his immortal mark in music history.
As a kid growing up in the 50s and 60s, his soulful music and soaring voice impacted me and my music sensibilities tremendously (and apparently Bruce Springsteen and millions of others as well!) It is said that as a result of his 1963 UK tour, he inspired a young John Lennon to write the awesome "Please Please Me" trying to sound like him. One of the most important musical influences in my early life, it was a sad day when he checked out way too early in late 1988.
Thick rimmed dark glasses, dressed in black, often with a Cross Alisee' at his throat, he offered up musical tales of loss and redemption, loneliness and beauty, fear and triumph, across 3 octaves supported by both dramatic and rocking rhythms and melodies. He did not look anything like the rock and roll stars of his day, but he was a figure that everyone honored as one of the best of the best.
His life was tragic in many ways, and he endured the most painful experiences a human can go through. Yet he never abandoned his kind and gentle Taurus nature, and so his entire career was authentic in that when he sang of tragedy, he knew what he was singing about, and when he sang of triumph, he also knew that as well.
His voice is haunting, his music is beautiful, and he gave us some amazing tunes, both those he wrote and those he put his magic touch upon, making them come alive. For your enjoyment, Mister Roy Orbison!
We'll begin this celebration of Roy and his music with one of my favorite songs he ever did, co-written with Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty. The performance videos of him, taken in Europe less than three weeks before he died, have been yanked for copyright reasons. In place of it, I found the original studio version set to stills. For your pleasure and enjoyment, the incredible voice of Mister Roy Orbison doing the awesome “You Got It.”
Here's Roy in Australia in 1972 doing his first major hit, "Only the Lonely."
An original 1964 live performance by Roy of his MONSTER HIT "Oh Pretty Woman."
From the Roy Orbison show in 1964, Roy performing "Crying." Then, from the Johnny Cash show in 1969, here's "Crying." Here's yet another take from Farm Aid in 1985 of Roy doing "Crying."
From the great television special "A Black and White Night Live," we'll kick off this treat with the immortal "Only The Lonely," followed by Roy's first hit from long ago, "Ooby Dooby." Though most associate the next song with the Everly Brothers, Roy both wrote and performed it. For your enjoyment, here's his early hit written about his first wife, "Claudette." Here's the closer of that show, "Oh Pretty Woman."
It's a great production to watch in its entirety (it's for sale on various sites) and features Roy, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, James Burton and the TCB Band, with Bonnie Raitt, Jennifer Warnes, and k.d. lang on backing vocals. It's a half hour of pure gold featuring all the hits!
In his incarnation with the Traveling Wilburys, his name was Lefty. Here's Lefty, along with Nelson, Otis, Lucky, and Charlie T. Jr. in the original studio music video of "Handle With Care," and here's their video tribute to Roy whose guitar occupies the empty rocking chair in "End of the Line." Even though all the Wilburys wrote all their songs, it seems probable that given Roy sings lead, this one is his all the way! For your enjoyment, the soaring voice of Roy Orbison on "You're Not Alone Anymore."
Though not musical clips, enjoy! Here's a brief treat of Roy and the Wilburys talking about how it all came to be! George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison discussing the Wilburys. Here's another clip of the Wilburys hanging out and playing "Ghost Riders in the Sky" in the Summer of 1988.
A few studio versions of some of his greats:
"Mystery Girl." Here's another video with Bono, who wrote the song, speaking about how he did it, and Roy interviewed about his connection to the song.
We'll close this birthday festival with the intense "I Drove All Night" music video, which definitely communicates the heat that the young are privileged to feel. Here's another version of "I Drove All Night."
So here's a Happy 75th birthday, Roy. Your music is still timeless, beautiful, and rocks! I'm sure you're having fun with Nelson "Spike" Wilbury as I write this. Thanks for the tunes, Lefty. RIP and have a rockabilly skiffle on me!
The Official Roy Orbison Website.
Roy Orbison's Triumphs and Tragedies: Rolling Stone's Definitive 1988 Interview
© Copyright 2011 Robert Wilkinson
He was a beautiful talent, thanks for posting.
We lost Hazel Dickens yesterday, a powerful voice, both musically and for working people. Devastating.
Posted by: reefaroundme | April 23, 2011 at 08:35 AM