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IMDbPro

Roy Orbison(1936-1988)

  • Music Artist
  • Music Department
  • Composer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Roy Orbison
The trailer for Shout Factory's DVD release of Johnny Cash's Christmas Specials from 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979.
Play trailer0:59
The Johnny Cash Christmas Special (1977)
2 Videos
9 Photos
Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 - December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. His music was described by critics as operatic, earning him the nicknames "The Caruso of Rock" and "The Big O." Many of Orbison's songs conveyed vulnerability at a time when most male rock-and-roll performers chose to project masculinity. He performed while standing motionless and wearing black clothes to match his dyed black hair and dark sunglasses, which he wore to counter his shyness and stage fright.
BornApril 23, 1936
DiedDecember 6, 1988(52)
BornApril 23, 1936
DiedDecember 6, 1988(52)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • Awards
    • 8 wins & 5 nominations total

Photos8

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Known for

Michael Rooker, Hero, Dodge, Jessica Henwick, Dylan O'Brien, and Ariana Greenblatt in Love and Monsters (2020)
Love and Monsters
6.9
  • Soundtrack("Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)")
  • 2020
Mel Gibson, Frank Grillo, Naomi Watts, and Selina Lo in Boss Level (2020)
Boss Level
6.8
  • Soundtrack("Mean Little Mama")
  • 2020
Alice Krige, Brent Spiner, and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek : Premier Contact (1996)
Star Trek : Premier Contact
7.6
  • Soundtrack("Ooby Dooby")
  • 1996
Jason Momoa in Aquaman (2018)
Aquaman
6.8
  • Soundtrack("She's a Mystery to Me")
  • 2018

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Music Department



  • Shock (2023)
    Shock
    Short
    • Music Department
    • 2023
  • Double Time Kill Rate (2017)
    Double Time Kill Rate
    8.7
    Short
    • main title composer
    • 2017
  • Roy Orbison: One of the Lonely Ones
    Music Video
    • music by
    • 2016
  • Modest Midget: Pretty Woman (2014)
    Modest Midget: Pretty Woman
    Music Video
    • theme music composer
    • 2014
  • Roy Orbison: The Way Is Love
    Music Video
    • music by
    • 2014
  • Karo: Blue Bayou
    Music Video
    • Music Department
    • 1997
  • Bonnie Raitt: You Got It (1995)
    Bonnie Raitt: You Got It
    6.1
    Music Video
    • Music Department
    • 1995
  • Exposé: As Long As I Can Dream (1993)
    Exposé: As Long As I Can Dream
    Music Video
    • stock music
    • 1993
  • Roy Orbison: Heartbreak Radio (1992)
    Roy Orbison: Heartbreak Radio
    7.4
    Music Video
    • music by
    • 1992
  • Roy Orbison: A Love So Beautiful (1990)
    Roy Orbison: A Love So Beautiful
    6.7
    Music Video
    • acoustic guitar
    • 1990
  • Roy Orbison: California Blue
    Music Video
    • musician: vocalist
    • 1989
  • Roy Orbison in Roy Orbison: In Dreams (1989)
    Roy Orbison: In Dreams
    8.2
    Music Video
    • Music Department
    • 1989
  • Roy Orbison: You Got It (1989)
    Roy Orbison: You Got It
    7.9
    Music Video
    • Music Department
    • 1989

Composer



  • Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty in Traveling Wilburys: Handle with Care (1988)
    Traveling Wilburys: Handle with Care
    7.6
    Music Video
    • Composer
    • 1988
  • Roy Orbison: Oh Pretty Woman (Live) (1988)
    Roy Orbison: Oh Pretty Woman (Live)
    7.6
    Music Video
    • Composer
    • 1988
  • Roy Orbison & K.D. Lang: Crying (1987)
    Roy Orbison & K.D. Lang: Crying
    7.7
    Music Video
    • Composer
    • 1987
  • Blue Peanuts
    5.3
    Video
    • Composer (uncredited)
    • 1987
  • Roy Orbison: Wild Hearts Run Out of Time
    6.4
    Music Video
    • Composer
    • 1985
  • Van Halen: (Oh) Pretty Woman (1981)
    Van Halen: (Oh) Pretty Woman
    7.3
    Music Video
    • Composer
    • 1981
  • Roy Orbison in Roy Orbison: Walk On (1968)
    Roy Orbison: Walk On
    6.7
    Music Video
    • Composer
    • 1968
  • Roy Orbison: Oh, Pretty Woman
    6.2
    Music Video
    • Composer
    • 1964

Videos2

Official Trailer
Trailer 2:21
Official Trailer
Johnny Cash Christmas Specials Trailer
Trailer 0:59
Johnny Cash Christmas Specials Trailer
Johnny Cash Christmas Specials Trailer
Trailer 0:59
Johnny Cash Christmas Specials Trailer

Personal details

Edit
  • Official sites
    • Apple Music
    • Facebook
  • Alternative name
    • Lefty Wilbury
  • Height
    • 1.80 m
  • Born
    • April 23, 1936
    • Vernon, Texas, USA
  • Died
    • December 6, 1988
    • Madison, Tennessee, USA(heart attack)
  • Spouses
      Barbara OrbisonMarch 25, 1969 - December 6, 1988 (his death, 2 children)
  • Children
    • Roy Orbison Jr.
  • Relatives
      Sun Jakob Orbison(Grandchild)
  • Other works
    Music video: "I Drove All Night", starring Jason Priestley and Jennifer Connelly. Directed by Peter Care.
  • Publicity listings
    • 3 Biographical Movies
    • 2 Print Biographies
    • 4 Portrayals
    • 2 Articles
    • 2 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    In 1966, his wife, Claudette, died in a motorcycle accident. Two years later, two of his sons were killed in a housefire.
  • Quotes
    People often ask me how would I like to be remembered and I answer that I would simply like to be remembered.
  • Trademarks
      Flawless tenor voice with an unmistakable vibrato
  • Nicknames
    • The Big O
    • The Voice
    • The Caruso of Rock
    • Lefty Wilbury

FAQ

Powered by Alexa
  • When did Roy Orbison die?
    December 6, 1988
  • How did Roy Orbison die?
    Heart attack
  • How old was Roy Orbison when he died?
    52 years old
  • Where did Roy Orbison die?
    Madison, Tennessee, USA
  • When was Roy Orbison born?
    April 23, 1936

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