Roy Orbison possessed one of rock and roll's most extraordinary instruments: a pitch-perfect, three-octave voice of angelic power, its beauty made all the more haunting by the darkness that defined his life.
Raised in Texas, he formed his first band at 13. "Ooby Dooby" (1956) landed him at Sun Records, but Monument Records proved his real home. "Only the Lonely" (1960) launched a run of classics. His 1963 UK tour with The Beatles drew 14 encores on opening night. Stranded without his prescription glasses, he wore dark lenses as a substitute — and never stopped, cementing an iconic look. "Oh, Pretty Woman" (1964) sold over 7 million copies worldwide.
After losing his wife and two sons to separate tragedies, he fought back in the 1980s — earning a Grammy, entering the Hall of Fame in 1987, and joining the Traveling Wilburys with Dylan, Harrison, Petty, and Lynne.
He died Dec 6, 1988, aged 52 — leaving five #1 albums, thirteen #1 singles, and a voice that remains truly irreplaceable.
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