oy Orbison is one of the more eccentric figures in American pop music. A native of Vernon, Texas, Orbison came into the world in 1936 in the heart of the Depression. His father gave him a guitar when he was six and helped him learn how to play it and for Orbison, there was no going back: music would be his life and he would become known as “The Voice.”
He signed with Sun Records in 1956 when he was 20 as a replacement for Elvis Presley but Orbison was never like Presley.
He wasn’t as handsome as Elvis or as charismatic, but he evolved a completely unique style. He didn’t move much on stage and with his black hair (dyed) and dark glasses, Orbison projected an image of vulnerability that was kind of rare in his era.
He had a string of hits in the 1950’s and ‘60’s after leaving Sun with the greatest arguably being Pretty Woman.
Legend has it that his wife was on her way out to shop and Orbison allegedly said good luck and his wife said “pretty woman don’t need luck” and an inspired Orbison wrote the song that afternoon.
In 1988, Cinemax premiered a concert video called Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night and the supporting musicians included Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, JD Souther, k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt and the last group that Elvis Presley employed called the TCB Band.
This performance of Pretty Woman is from that show and highlights Orbison’s phenomenal vocal talents. If you get a chance to see it, it’s definitely worth your while.
The film debuted in January and started a renaissance for Orbison. He helped create a supergroup called the Traveling Wilburys with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty that earned critical acclaim.
It wouldn’t last.
Orbison, who had a history of heart problems, suffered a heart attack on December 6th and passed away. He was just 52.
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