- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- April 23, 1936
- Place of Birth
- Vernon, Texas, USA
- Died
- December 6, 1988
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for his distinctive and powerful voice, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. Orbison's most successful periods were in the early 1960s and the late 1980s. Many of Orbison's songs conveyed vulnerability at a time when most male performers projected strength. He performed with minimal motion and in black clothes, matching his dyed black hair and dark sunglasses. Born in Texas, Orbison began singing in a country-and-western band as a teenager. He was signed by Sam Phillips of Sun Records in 1956 after being urged by Johnny Cash. Elvis Presley was leaving Sun and Phillips was looking to replace him. His first Sun recording, "Ooby Dooby", was musically akin of Presley's early Sun recordings. He had moderate success at Sun, but enjoyed his greatest success with Monum…
Filmography
movieWHAT WAS IT WORTH?
2024 · Music
movieRoy Orbison at the BBC
2023 · Self (archive footage)
movieRoy Orbison Forever
2022 · Self (archive footage)
tvMcCartney 3, 2, 1
2021 · Self (archive footage)
movieRoy Orbison: Love Hurts
2017 · Himself (archive footage)
movieRoy Orbison: Black and White Night 30
2017 · Self
movieRoy Orbison: One of the Lonely Ones
2015 · Himself (archive footage)
movieIt's Only Rock 'n' Roll: Rock 'n' Roll at the BBC
2015 · Self (archive footage)
movieRoy Orbison: Mystery Girl - Unraveled
2014 · Self (archive footage)
movieMr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne & ELO
2012 · Self (archive footage)
movieRock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - Light My Fire
2009 · Himself
movieJohnny Cash: Live On Air
2008 · Self
movieTom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream
2007 · Self (archive footage)
movieThe Best of The Johnny Cash TV Show 1969-1971
2007 · Self
movieThe True History Of The Traveling Wilburys
2007 · Self
movieThe Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1980
2007 · Self
tvLegends
2006 · Self (archive footage)
movieThe Midnight Special Legendary Performances: Million Sellers
2006 · Self
One for the Money: The Birth of Rock & Roll
movieOne for the Money: The Birth of Rock & Roll
2006
movieEddie Cochran & Friends: C'mon Everybody
2004 · Self (archive footage)
movieThe Best Of Beat
2003 · Self (archive footage)
movieRoy Orbison: Greatest Hits
2003 · Himself (archive footage)
movieRoy Orbison - Live at Austin City Limits
2002 · Himself
movieRoy Orbison: The Anthology
1999 · Self (archive footage)
movieIn Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story
1999 · Self (archive footage)
tvClassic Albums
1997 · Self (archive footage)
moviePretty Woman
1990 · Theme Song Performance
movieShe's Having a Baby
1988 · Roy Orbison (uncredited)
movieRoy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night
1988 · Self - Lead Vocals/Guitar
movieChuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll
1987 · Self
movieRoy Orbison Live In Texas
1986
tvJust Our Luck
1983
tvWogan
1982 · Self
movieLiving Legend: The King of Rock and Roll
1980 · , Music
movieRoadie
1980 · Self
movieThe Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1977
1977 · Self
tvSaturday Night Live
1975 · Self - Musical Guest
movieRoy Sings Orbison
1975 · Self
movieRoy Orbison: Live From Australia
1973
tvThe Midnight Special
1972 · Self
tvThe Johnny Cash Show
1969 · Self
movieThe Fastest Guitar Alive
1967 · Johnny
movieRoy Orbison Live in 1965: The Monument Concert
1965
The Roy Orbison Show
movieThe Roy Orbison Show
1964 · Himself
tvShindig!
1964 · Self - Singer
tvTop of the Pops
1964 · Self
tvThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962 · Self (archive footage)
tvThe Dick Clark Show
1958 · Self
tvThe Ed Sullivan Show
1948 · Self