Roy Orbison

He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California on January 29, 2010.

He was posthumously awarded a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee in November 2006.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987), the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1987), the American Songwriters Hall of Fame (1989), and America's Pop Music Hall of Fame (2014).

Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume Two, 1986-1990, pages 674-676. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons (1999).

Recorded the song "Hound Dog Man" (1979) in the memory of Elvis Presley.

He smoked up to 80 cigarettes a day until he underwent triple coronary bypass surgery in January 1978. He continued to smoke cigarettes until his death.

In 1977, Linda Ronstadt recorded a new version of "Blue Bayou" that became a major success and remained in the country music charts for months. In the early 1980s, Don McLean's recording of "Crying" charted all over the world, reaching No. 1 in the United Kingdom. A duet between Orbison and Emmylou Harris took him to the country music Top 10 and crossed over into the pop charts.

Last met Elvis Presley in Las Vegas, Nevada in the King's last concert in gambling city (1976). Orbison was in the audience and Presley said on the microphone: "Quite simply, the greatest singer in the world, Roy Orbison.".

Mentioned in the 1975 song "Thunder Road" by Bruce Springsteen.

Remained very popular in Europe, especially in the United Kingdom, through the 1970s when his records in the United States were no longer making the charts.

Children: Roy Dewayne Orbison (1958 - September 15, 1968), Anthony King Orbison (1962 - September 15, 1968) and Wesley Orbison (born 1965) by first wife Claudette. Roy Kelton Orbison Jr. (born October 18, 1970) and Alex Orbison (born 1975) by second wife Barbara.

Made only one movie in his career: The Fastest Guitar Alive (1967), which was offered to him after his friend Elvis Presley turned down.

In 1966, his wife, Claudette, died in a motorcycle accident. Two years later, two of his sons were killed in a housefire.

Toured the United Kingdom three times during 1963 and with Eagles (1980).

Near the end of his life, he became friends with k.d. lang after they recorded his hit single "Crying" (1961) as a duet.

His identification with Wayfarer sunglasses began when he went on tour to England in the early 1960s, and forgot his regular specs. His lenses were prescription, but some fans mistook Orbison for being blind.

Of Roy's early compositions "Down the Line" was first recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis (1957) and The Everly Brothers had a charted hit with "Claudette" (1958) #30 US Pop, #1 UK.

Scored his first minor hit single with "Ooby Dooby" (1956) and had a No. 1 hit single with "Oh, Pretty Woman" (1964).

First saw Elvis Presley in concert (1955). Presley was in his concert and entered in backstage the next year. Orbison kept telling about Elvis' visit to his friends.

He was voted the 37th Greatest Artist in Rock 'n' Roll by Rolling Stone.

Roy Orbison was born on April 23, 1936 in Vernon, Texas, USA as Roy Kelton Orbison. He was married to Barbara Orbison and Claudette Frady.