Hey Professor, love your show! You asked about my favorite Roy Orbison song but I actually have a story. I was 11 years old in 1964, living in LA. The Beatles were the bomb, The Beach Boys were singing about California Girls and getting around and Barbra Streisand was on the radio with People so much that I refused to listen to it. I had a transistor radio that I took to bed with me every night and fell asleep to the best music in the century. Like you, I was totally hooked! In a sad twist of fate, my family went bankrupt and in August that year we sold out, packed up and moved to Eastern Oregon where my dad got a job on a ranch in a pretty little valley 20 miles from the nearest town. My transistor radio was no match for the vast distances in the air waves back then but I tried constantly, I never gave up searching for a station, weak and momentary as it might be. One evening I was out in the middle of a field with my radio, walking around and searching for a hint of anything that wasn't static and suddenly, faint and far off, I heard Roy Orbisan singing Pretty Woman. My soul went up in flames! That was the very first glimmer of hope in that horrible, confusing summer and to this day, Roy singing that song brings back that same feeling and the imagine of a young girl in a remote field searching for the music she had lost.
My Father’s favorite musical artist was Roy Orbison. A few weeks ago, I happened to visit the Boxing Hall of Fame while on a road trip. When he was younger, my Father was an up and coming amateur boxer. He was very good at boxing, but eventually gave it up for a steady paycheck working in a local factory. Not only did he provide for my Mother and both of my Brothers, he had a big heart! If someone was in need of help, he would do whatever he could to help them. Unfortunately, he passed away back in 2012. That being said, while inside the Boxing Hall of Fame, the song End of the Line by Traveling Wilburys playing on the overhead speakers. Hearing Roy Orbison’s voice inside there definitely gave me chills! It truly felt like my Father was telling me that no matter what, everything will be alright. I miss you Dad!
I played in a house band at a venue where a lot of these 60s acts came through. I had the honor of opening for Roy twice. His voice could bring you to tears live. Yes, I got to say hello to him and what a humble man! I played a show with him just one year b4 he passed.
I worked a festival in the mid-1980s that featured Roy as a co-headliner on 2 nights. The last night I was asked to "hang out with security and walk a guy to his bus". The guy was Orbison. I'd been around artists enough by then to not go all 'fan boy' with them, so we escorted him out and as the driver opened the door, I said "thanks for 2 great shows, Mr Orbison." He turned and replied quietly, "thank you, that's very kind." He was one of the artists that put PRO in professional.
Everything I've seen and heard of Roy suggests he was one of the kindest and most genuine people to ever take the stage. He's one of my musical heroes, partially because of the way he carried himself with class and dignity. Thank you for sharing your experience!
In 88 or 89 I was working at Disneyland. I was 20. They had this event called Blast to the Past where artists of the 50’s and ‘60’s would perform in various areas of the park. I arrived to work and was told that they needed a few people to go to Videopolis to usher the show. I hated working Jungle so I volunteered. No one knew who was performing. Got there and the others were upset that they did not like the artist and wanted to be in back. I got to get paid to watch Roy perform two hour long concerts that evening from about 20’ away. I only knew two of his songs. (Pretty Woman and Crying.). But after that night I was a fan forever!! I was off at 11 and quickly drove to Tower Records in Brea and picked up two Roy CD’s. Fantastic evening I will never forget.
This is my favorite supergroup of all time. I was lucky enough to see them all live, except Roy. What a singer…what a group. But its all right, we got a little magic made just in time! #teamWilburys
@@tstahler5420 i forgot to put music industry in quotes like I usually do. I agree completely. "Music" today is a product or commodity, completely devoid of true artistry.
My dad was a huge Roy Orbison fan, and introduced me to his music when I was a kid in the 1970s. I've never forgotten his music. Such an amazing voice.
My husband was an audio engineer for 40 years. After working with 100’s of performers, he says that there were only two singers whose vocals would get stronger throughout the performance. One was Roy Orbison. The other was Luciano Pavarotti.
Elvis called Roy Orbison the greatest singer in the world. My favorite Orbison song is "In Dreams". It just flows so beautifully. His voice on the song is other world level.
Of all the singers we have seen in person over 60 years...only two never bantered with the audience: Johnny Mathis and Roy Orbison...and we never missed a thing. With voices like that...all you need is the song.
Roy Orbison had probably the most incredible voice that would make the world stop and pay attention, regardless of whatever it was doing. That Voice of his was a Gift From God, and we all got to enjoy it and made our time listening to it that much better.
The second time I saw Roy Orbison was in Symphony Hall in Boston in the 1980s. The friend who came with me could not believe that Roy was singing live, not lip synching. He thought it was too perfect. Roy's high notes in those amazing acoustics were sublime. "Crying" blew everyone away. Favorite song? Tough decision. He never had a bad one. I love "Mystery Girl". It was especially poignant as it was on the last album he recorded.
My Daddy LOVED Roy Orbison. He always said that Roy had a better voice than Elvis, but Elvis was more famous because he was better looking! I have passed the love of his songs to my own (adult) children. My older daughter (who has cognitive disabilities) has been known to sing along with Roy (and many other artists) loudly and off key. 💜
I first heard of Roy Orbison in Springsteen's Thunder Road. I asked my father "who is Roy Orbison?" and he said "he's a great singer! You need to know about him." So we would listen to oldies radio together, and wheneverl an Orbison song came on, Daddy would sing along, and talk about his youth, and it was great! ❤️
In addition to everything else, Prof, you are one great interviewer. You’re well prepared, you’re passionate about the topic, you ask something you and your listeners really want to know, you ask it quickly and then get out of the way. Not many do it as well as you!!
Thanks Professor for highlighting this legend! Roy was and still is Rock Royalty. If there was a Mount Rushmore for R&R, Roy would be on it! Nobody sang like him before or since. He is truly a legend and my all-time favorite singer. But by all accounts he was an even greater person. That is even more rare in this industry. If I had to choose a favorite Roy song it would have to be from his time with the Traveling Wilbury's "You're not alone anymore." Just unbelievable that anyone could hit those notes. Rest in Aloha Roy. You bring joy to my ears daily!
One of, if not my favorite super group. The combination of all of these superstars created a sound that was instantly recognized for its greatness. Orbison was a legend in his own right, as we're the other ones. I still listen to these guys. They are the goats.
My mom was a good friend of Hoyle Nix who had the western swing band the West Texas Cowboys in Midland, Texas and she told me that Roy often came to their dances and sang when he was a teenager. He always sang "Ooby Dooby".
Roy could do no wrong, from the first time I heard "Crying" on my dad's car radio. I had the magical experience of seeing him live in a supper club in Minneapolis. "Running Scared" closed the show, and then after a seemingly endless standing ovation, he came back out and did it again. Hair-raising! Both times. I was a dedicated fan, all through the Monument and MGM years, then he seemed to disappear for years. It was so gratifying to see him begin to rise again after "In Dreams" was used in "Blue Velvet". The Traveling Wilburys and his solo Jeff Lynne productions were perfect collaborations for me. His passing was such a heartbreak. But there was some comfort knowing he had experienced all the love and acclaim of so many fellow musicians, and a new following and was having such a good time in the spotlight again.
15:10 My favourite Roy Orbison song is all of them, the old ones and the ones he did with the Travelling Wilburys, so sad that his come back was cut short with his death, I still remember hearing on the radio and TV that he had passed away and my heart sank.
Great video. I appreciate how the Professor of Rock always does his homework BEFORE the interview. My favorite Roy song: Careless Heart from his comeback Mystery Girl CD.
So many great stories about Roy. I love a story told by guy from my hometown (Dothan, AL) that played in Roy's band before going solo. A guy by the name of Bobby Goldsboro. Boddy told about a time that the manager of the club paid them in cash and it was in 2 grocery bags. Mostly 1 dollar bills but looked like a million bucks. The whole band was in the hotel room counting the money and separating it by denominations. A knock at the door and it was the maid but before she left she peeked in and saw the money everywhere. Well unknown to Bobby, Roy and the band was that the bank had been robbed the day before. The maid not knowing who was in the room, called the FBI. The FBI shows up with guns drawled thinking they found the bank robbers. They came in and to arrest them and one of the FBI agents said hey aren't you Roy Orbison? Made for an exciting few moments for sure.
My parents were teens in the mid-50s, and they were always big folk and rockabilly fans. Their first date was at a Kingston Trio show in Cincinnati in the fall of 1959. I grew up with a lot of Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Bill Haley and His Comets, Dion, Fats Domino and other early rock being played around me thanks to them. I think when the Wilburys hit, and Roy Orbison had the career resurgence just before his passing, it was the one time that everyone in my family enjoyed the same music at the same moment. Unfortunately, we lost mom almost four and a half years ago, and Dad just doesn't listen to those old albums and the CD collections of the "greatest hits" of those old groups anymore. But whenever I hear Roy Orbison, I think of my mom and dad and being able to enjoy "You Got It" as a family as the song became more and more popular.
I remember as a kid hearing Roy on WLS AM, He was always a stand alone singer to me. Then when he was part of the Wilberry's. It was magical to hear him sing again. I've always had a soft spot for Roy and his music. What a pioneer he was in this Rock and Roll history. Thanks Adam for this jewel and nugget about Roy. Peace and love......
My first real exposure to Roy Orbison was You Got It when that song hit radio and MTV. I was impressed by him at the time, and then I started hearing his older music thanks to my mom Then I saw the video for End Of The Line. That's when I found out Roy had passed, but the rest of the Wilburys sang on. I feel that the video for End Of The Line was a great tribute to Roy.
In the Wilbury’s End of the Line video I love the way they represented Roy by placing a guitar on the rocking chair when his portion of the song played. Simple and respectful.
I saw Roy at an outdoor, all-day concert long ago in New Hampshire. There were seven acts, including James Brown, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Rivers, but Roy was the standout for me. I was 15 feet away from the stage but could hear his voice crying out over the amplifiers!
It's hard to pick just one of Roy's songs as a favorite, but mine has to be the somewhat hard-to-find 1987 duet with k.d. lang "Crying", for which they both won the 1989 Grammy award for Best Country Vocal Collaboration. k.d. was a background singer on his HBO live concert, A Black And White Night Live, and Virgin Records released the studio recording on the 1987 soundtrack for Hiding Out, as a track on the various singles for "She's A Mystery To Me", as well as it appearing on his posthumous album King Of Hearts. If you thought his 1961 solo version made you cry, I think you'll agree their duet is the most emotional performance of either of their careers.
I literally grew up loving Roy Orbison. Your so right, I could go to a honky tonk bar and find him on the jukebox, go to the disco club and still fine Roy Orbison on the jukebox. You tell me😂 it was nice to hear what Elvis Presley had to say 🙂
I was 9 years old and traveling in Virginia when Roy suddenly passed. I quickly came to understand how absolutely beloved Roy was in that part of the Country at that time. For what seemed like a week straight the local radio DJ’s put Roy on the heaviest of heavy rotations and read essays of tribute.
Roy was an American treasure, I can't carry a tune in a bucket but who can sit quietly when Roy is crooning. I would be doing my best impression of Roy, to everyone's horror belting out cryyyying...Music has always spoken to my soul, be it Rock, Country, Gospel, Regae or Jazz. I certainly agree that one should stop everything and listen to a master. Dig the Elvis shirts.
I love this song. The verses are very restrained, like holding back a team of eager horses. And then the chorus kicks in, and we're off to the races, running free.
His voice was beyond words. People would say a voice of an angel. I would say a voice of a god. I mean no bleasphemy. If nobody ever heard him sing, his songs would still live forever. He was a composer that few could touch. Pretty Woman, Blue Bayou, Crying, the list goes on. Songs that will live forever.
The Big O! I grew up listening to Dad's old 45s. As soon as I was old enough & earned $ I went out & collected ALL of Roy, Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent & Eddie Cochran that I could hunt down. How to choose one Roy song as a favourite? !!! My early Roy faves were "Working For the Man" & "Crying" (depending on my mood) ... but after listening to ALL of Roy's songs, I think the one that I love most for his sublime voice is "LEAH". I'm also a massive fan of George Harrison & Jeff Lynne, and enjoy Tom Petty & Bob Dylan - so imagine my raptures when the Wilbury project appeared! It was reported that Del Shannon was to join the Wilburys after Roy's passing, but sadly Del passed too. You really feel time fleeting when your musical icons ascend. Keep sharing their music! :)
Professor ... you are without a doubt the busiest man in TH-cam today ... LOL! And that's a good thing. Thank you for your diligence. I have always loved Roy Orbison. The greatest singers/artists are the most unique. Roy is definitely one of those. Enjoyed this video.
Roy orbison is one of my favorite singer's. I loved his song in dreams about a candy colored sandman who makes things right in beautiful dreams. It was great in blue velvet when dennis hopper would get loaded on oxygen and sing it. I drove all night is one of my favorites too. Roy Orbison was one of the best in my opinion.
The week Roy passed away Iwas in a college speavh class. One of those exercises where you pull a topic out of a hat and do it in front of the class. My topoc was eulogy of Roy. I was a fan, late bloomer part of his comeback fan club and a bih fan of ELO. I knew quite a bit of his life and work with Jeff Lynn. My speach was perfect.... i saved it in my Traveling Will... album.
I was at a friend's house and he saw me looking at his Roy Orbison album. He said, "Roy Orbison is the master of the slow build." Best analysis of Roy I've ever heard.
I've got to go with the aforementioned Running Scared. It is so rarely mentioned with Pretty Woman, Crying and Only the Lonely getting most of the attention, but it's structure and tempo are so unlike other pop offerings that you can't help but stop and listen to it every time it comes on.
Good music is where you find it my friend. Love Roy, an amazing overlooked artist. It's why you can't rely on pop radio to raise your kids. Some local flavors from nova scotia profesor, are April wine 1970s, the trees modern. From nova scotia, love the channel
How great it must have been to have your hero record the song you wrote about him. Billy was stoked. The Traveling Wilburys were great. Especially for me, being long in the tooth.
Thanks. Roy was a great guy too. He lost his (1st) wife and kids in a fire, a terrible n horrible tragedy but he picked up the pieces and moved on. He said if you ask any guy on the street, you'll find that they also had a tragedy in their lives...(amazingly graceful)! I was so happy to see Roy Orbison with the fabulous Traveling Wilburys when they made that 1st album but soon the tragedy hit us. 😢 RIP Roy ... a great guy, a great voice!
I saw Roy when he wasn’t popular in the ‘80s at the Orange County Fair in California. Might have been around the same time he recorded the demo. After that, I bought his greatest hits on cassette.
Brought tears to my eyes, Prof. Roy was my mum’s favourite singer by a mile. She passed in 2017. It’s always bittersweet to hear his voice these days. But always more sweet than bitter. Thanks.
@BlondiePeony. Just like you, I was always fascinated by how Roy’s voice came out of his barely open mouth. I hope that the music Roy Orbison has left us will keep his memory alive in this World. Stay safe and well.
My favorite voices. Steve Perry, Ann Wilson, Steve Winwood, and Belinda Carlisle. Of course, if you have any love at all for music, there are hundreds of honorable mentions. Which includes Roy Orbison.
As a very young boy (4 or 5) I remember hearing "Crying". This would have been in the late 60's. Even at that age, I knew there was something very special about that song and the man singing it. To this day, it still sends a chill down my spine. Thank you for this tribute to him and the people who worked with him.
Wonderful episode but it was hard to watch till the end ignoring the desire to immediately go listen to Roy’s music. I still vividly remember being in the back of the car pulling into Pizza Hut as a kid hearing him on the radio in the 80’s for the first time and my mother explaining to me how impactful his music was.
Pretty woman has such an important part in my life. I'm 67 and in the early 70s there was a big resurgence of 50s and 60s music. Our high school dances where all based on them. I was hanging out with my best friend Cathy and she was a beautiful girl and I was just starting to come into my own. One time when we where walking down the street her boyfriend pulled up and "Pretty woman " was on the radio. With Cathy's long brown hair swaying and the wiggle in her hips it fit her perfectly. That's the moment I realized that she wasn't the only Pretty one and her boyfriend said so. That song became my mantra ,it somehow gave me confidence. Every time I hear that song I think of all the Pretty women in the world that just need to see that it's what's inside as well as the outside that makes you pretty! Thanks Roy!❤❤❤
Wow Adam, twice in one day. This one takes me back to the 1960's. I'm not sure if it was "Pretty Woman" or "Only the Lonely" that I heard first, but which ever one I heard Roy seemed to touch my soul, I really don't know why. I'll say this though, with all of his great hits, "Only the Lonely" will always be my #1. I didn't get to see the TV thing they did when he came back with "Anything You want", it was almost like he had never left. Some time later watched the show on You Tube. He may be gone, but he's still one of the all time best.
Poll; STRAIGHT UP....Who had or has the GREATEST VOICE in rock history?
ELVIS
Brad Delp - male.
Janis Joplin - female.
runnerup: Ann Wilson.
Freddie Mercury
Buddy Holly
@@TB6791 the king!
Hey Professor, love your show! You asked about my favorite Roy Orbison song but I actually have a story. I was 11 years old in 1964, living in LA. The Beatles were the bomb, The Beach Boys were singing about California Girls and getting around and Barbra Streisand was on the radio with People so much that I refused to listen to it. I had a transistor radio that I took to bed with me every night and fell asleep to the best music in the century. Like you, I was totally hooked! In a sad twist of fate, my family went bankrupt and in August that year we sold out, packed up and moved to Eastern Oregon where my dad got a job on a ranch in a pretty little valley 20 miles from the nearest town. My transistor radio was no match for the vast distances in the air waves back then but I tried constantly, I never gave up searching for a station, weak and momentary as it might be. One evening I was out in the middle of a field with my radio, walking around and searching for a hint of anything that wasn't static and suddenly, faint and far off, I heard Roy Orbisan singing Pretty Woman. My soul went up in flames! That was the very first glimmer of hope in that horrible, confusing summer and to this day, Roy singing that song brings back that same feeling and the imagine of a young girl in a remote field searching for the music she had lost.
My Father’s favorite musical artist was Roy Orbison. A few weeks ago, I happened to visit the Boxing Hall of Fame while on a road trip. When he was younger, my Father was an up and coming amateur boxer. He was very good at boxing, but eventually gave it up for a steady paycheck working in a local factory. Not only did he provide for my Mother and both of my Brothers, he had a big heart! If someone was in need of help, he would do whatever he could to help them. Unfortunately, he passed away back in 2012. That being said, while inside the Boxing Hall of Fame, the song End of the Line by Traveling Wilburys playing on the overhead speakers. Hearing Roy Orbison’s voice inside there definitely gave me chills! It truly felt like my Father was telling me that no matter what, everything will be alright. I miss you Dad!
Roy's humility and near paralyzing shyness humanized a musical deity
NO question.
I played in a house band at a venue where a lot of these 60s acts came through. I had the honor of opening for Roy twice. His voice could bring you to tears live. Yes, I got to say hello to him and what a humble man! I played a show with him just one year b4 he passed.
Thanks for sharing!
This is a fantastic story!😮
So cool!
I worked a festival in the mid-1980s that featured Roy as a co-headliner on 2 nights. The last night I was asked to "hang out with security and walk a guy to his bus". The guy was Orbison. I'd been around artists enough by then to not go all 'fan boy' with them, so we escorted him out and as the driver opened the door, I said "thanks for 2 great shows, Mr Orbison." He turned and replied quietly, "thank you, that's very kind." He was one of the artists that put PRO in professional.
Everything I've seen and heard of Roy suggests he was one of the kindest and most genuine people to ever take the stage. He's one of my musical heroes, partially because of the way he carried himself with class and dignity. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Even Elvis was in awe of Roy.
Right?
In 88 or 89 I was working at Disneyland. I was 20. They had this event called Blast to the Past where artists of the 50’s and ‘60’s would perform in various areas of the park.
I arrived to work and was told that they needed a few people to go to Videopolis to usher the show. I hated working Jungle so I volunteered. No one knew who was performing.
Got there and the others were upset that they did not like the artist and wanted to be in back. I got to get paid to watch Roy perform two hour long concerts that evening from about 20’ away.
I only knew two of his songs. (Pretty Woman and Crying.). But after that night I was a fan forever!! I was off at 11 and quickly drove to Tower Records in Brea and picked up two Roy CD’s.
Fantastic evening I will never forget.
Awesome! You lucky dog! 😄
You bought 2 CDs in 88/89? Disney must have paid way better back then.
@@drewtheunspoken3988I was making double the minimum wage as a part timer back then.
And Tower Records was the cheapest back then. Probably $12 a cd
Did you know Scott Aukerman (comedian/podcast host)? He was working at Disneyland then and tells a story of sneaking in to see this show
This is my favorite supergroup of all time. I was lucky enough to see them all live, except Roy. What a singer…what a group. But its all right, we got a little magic made just in time! #teamWilburys
Awesome!
Travelling Wilburys = awesomeness!
I remember Jeff Lynne saying how he was soft spoken, then would bury the vu meters into the red.
Ha ha. I read that too. That was almost my thumb.
Sadly the music industry of today would never recognize an artist of Orbison's caliber.
So true.
There's music today?
@@tstahler5420 i forgot to put music industry in quotes like I usually do. I agree completely. "Music" today is a product or commodity, completely devoid of true artistry.
YOU SAID THAT RIGHT !!
They actively reject people with talent and musical genius, because they can’t be controlled.
My dad was a huge Roy Orbison fan, and introduced me to his music when I was a kid in the 1970s. I've never forgotten his music. Such an amazing voice.
Saw "greatest voice" and immediately thought of Orbison
Ha ha ! awesome
I thought of Freddie Mercury or Steve Perry but Roy Orbison is definitely the original GOAT👍
@@ROBYNMARKOWabsolutely! However I wasn't aware of his early songs.
I thought David Gilmour. Can be sweet or powerful.
My husband was an audio engineer for 40 years. After working with 100’s of performers, he says that there were only two singers whose vocals would get stronger throughout the performance. One was Roy Orbison. The other was Luciano Pavarotti.
Once again you gotta love the genius Jeff Lynne (ELO) for everything he has done in the Music World. Roy was his music hero.
Roy Orbison was the man.
YEs he was!
Rumor has it that Elvis refused to perform after him.
@@scottbernard8824Lol, I don't blame him!
Elvis called Roy Orbison the greatest singer in the world. My favorite Orbison song is "In Dreams". It just flows so beautifully. His voice on the song is other world level.
Right?
Of all the singers we have seen in person over 60 years...only two never bantered with the audience: Johnny Mathis and Roy Orbison...and we never missed a thing. With voices like that...all you need is the song.
That's exactly right!
@@carolmartin4413 Yes!! Roy had the voice of an Angel and Johnny Mathis was Silk 👍💗🎶
Crying has always been one of my Favorite songs. Agreed, it's one of those songs that it's hard not to cry.
Roy Orbison had probably the most incredible voice that would make the world stop and pay attention, regardless of whatever it was doing. That Voice of his was a Gift From God, and we all got to enjoy it and made our time listening to it that much better.
The second time I saw Roy Orbison was in Symphony Hall in Boston in the 1980s. The friend who came with me could not believe that Roy was singing live, not lip synching. He thought it was too perfect.
Roy's high notes in those amazing acoustics were sublime. "Crying" blew everyone away.
Favorite song? Tough decision. He never had a bad one. I love "Mystery Girl". It was especially poignant as it was on the last album he recorded.
My Daddy LOVED Roy Orbison. He always said that Roy had a better voice than Elvis, but Elvis was more famous because he was better looking! I have passed the love of his songs to my own (adult) children. My older daughter (who has cognitive disabilities) has been known to sing along with Roy (and many other artists) loudly and off key. 💜
I first heard of Roy Orbison in Springsteen's Thunder Road. I asked my father "who is Roy Orbison?" and he said "he's a great singer! You need to know about him." So we would listen to oldies radio together, and wheneverl an Orbison song came on, Daddy would sing along, and talk about his youth, and it was great! ❤️
Dude, so glad I found your channel. Music is everything and I love the passion you convey. So cool man. Thanks a lot!
Thanks!
In addition to everything else, Prof, you are one great interviewer. You’re well prepared, you’re passionate about the topic, you ask something you and your listeners really want to know, you ask it quickly and then get out of the way. Not many do it as well as you!!
Thanks Professor for highlighting this legend! Roy was and still is Rock Royalty. If there was a Mount Rushmore for R&R, Roy would be on it! Nobody sang like him before or since. He is truly a legend and my all-time favorite singer. But by all accounts he was an even greater person. That is even more rare in this industry. If I had to choose a favorite Roy song it would have to be from his time with the Traveling Wilbury's "You're not alone anymore." Just unbelievable that anyone could hit those notes. Rest in Aloha Roy. You bring joy to my ears daily!
One of, if not my favorite super group. The combination of all of these superstars created a sound that was instantly recognized for its greatness. Orbison was a legend in his own right, as we're the other ones. I still listen to these guys. They are the goats.
For sure!
Roy was purely likable, a rare talent taken too soon. Thanks Adam.
Thanks!
My mom was a good friend of Hoyle Nix who had the western swing band the West Texas Cowboys in Midland, Texas and she told me that Roy often came to their dances and sang when he was a teenager. He always sang "Ooby Dooby".
Roy could do no wrong, from the first time I heard "Crying" on my dad's car radio. I had the magical experience of seeing him live in a supper club in Minneapolis. "Running Scared" closed the show, and then after a seemingly endless standing ovation, he came back out and did it again. Hair-raising! Both times. I was a dedicated fan, all through the Monument and MGM years, then he seemed to disappear for years. It was so gratifying to see him begin to rise again after "In Dreams" was used in "Blue Velvet". The Traveling Wilburys and his solo Jeff Lynne productions were perfect collaborations for me. His passing was such a heartbreak. But there was some comfort knowing he had experienced all the love and acclaim of so many fellow musicians, and a new following and was having such a good time in the spotlight again.
The most beautiful falsetto voice in all creation
15:10 My favourite Roy Orbison song is all of them, the old ones and the ones he did with the Travelling Wilburys, so sad that his come back was cut short with his death, I still remember hearing on the radio and TV that he had passed away and my heart sank.
Same.
Roy Orbison was a fantastic singer. You always knew who was singing when he came on. GOAT
Great video. I appreciate how the Professor of Rock always does his homework BEFORE the interview. My favorite Roy song: Careless Heart from his comeback Mystery Girl CD.
So many great stories about Roy. I love a story told by guy from my hometown (Dothan, AL) that played in Roy's band before going solo. A guy by the name of Bobby Goldsboro. Boddy told about a time that the manager of the club paid them in cash and it was in 2 grocery bags. Mostly 1 dollar bills but looked like a million bucks. The whole band was in the hotel room counting the money and separating it by denominations. A knock at the door and it was the maid but before she left she peeked in and saw the money everywhere. Well unknown to Bobby, Roy and the band was that the bank had been robbed the day before. The maid not knowing who was in the room, called the FBI. The FBI shows up with guns drawled thinking they found the bank robbers. They came in and to arrest them and one of the FBI agents said hey aren't you Roy Orbison? Made for an exciting few moments for sure.
Aah, Bobby Goldsboro! I love "Little Things".
The BEST Supergroup of ALL time. The Traveling Wilburys!
This one was too easy to guess, and who wouldn't be in awe, if not dumbfounded in such presence.
No kidding!
My parents were teens in the mid-50s, and they were always big folk and rockabilly fans. Their first date was at a Kingston Trio show in Cincinnati in the fall of 1959. I grew up with a lot of Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Bill Haley and His Comets, Dion, Fats Domino and other early rock being played around me thanks to them. I think when the Wilburys hit, and Roy Orbison had the career resurgence just before his passing, it was the one time that everyone in my family enjoyed the same music at the same moment. Unfortunately, we lost mom almost four and a half years ago, and Dad just doesn't listen to those old albums and the CD collections of the "greatest hits" of those old groups anymore. But whenever I hear Roy Orbison, I think of my mom and dad and being able to enjoy "You Got It" as a family as the song became more and more popular.
I remember as a kid hearing Roy on WLS AM, He was always a stand alone singer to me. Then when he was part of the Wilberry's. It was magical to hear him sing again. I've always had a soft spot for Roy and his music. What a pioneer he was in this Rock and Roll history. Thanks Adam for this jewel and nugget about Roy. Peace and love......
When you said 1988, i did an eyeroll, and guessed Roy Orbisin. When i saw it, i smacked my knee, and said YESSS!. You made my day.
My first real exposure to Roy Orbison was You Got It when that song hit radio and MTV. I was impressed by him at the time, and then I started hearing his older music thanks to my mom Then I saw the video for End Of The Line. That's when I found out Roy had passed, but the rest of the Wilburys sang on. I feel that the video for End Of The Line was a great tribute to Roy.
Thanks for sharing.
I still get sad when I see the empty rocking chair 😢
@@LaManteca76 Same here.
@@LaManteca76 Exactly what I was thinking, too. It was a touching tribute to Roy from his friends.
In the Wilbury’s End of the Line video I love the way they represented Roy by placing a guitar on the rocking chair when his portion of the song played. Simple and respectful.
A great operatic tenor!🤗
Amen!
I saw Roy at an outdoor, all-day concert long ago in New Hampshire. There were seven acts, including James Brown, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Rivers, but Roy was the standout for me. I was 15 feet away from the stage but could hear his voice crying out over the amplifiers!
Adam! I can’t pick a favorite Roy Orbison song! He could sing the proverbial phone book and sound great! Thanks for sharing this interview!💫
I always felt that The Crowd was a song way ahead of its time!
If there’s s rock and roll heaven, Roy leads the band!
"Pretty Woman" was ubiquitous on the radio when I was in my early teens...👍
Cool!
I Drove All Night is a great song and my favorite Cyndi Lauper song!
It's hard to pick just one of Roy's songs as a favorite, but mine has to be the somewhat hard-to-find 1987 duet with k.d. lang "Crying", for which they both won the 1989 Grammy award for Best Country Vocal Collaboration. k.d. was a background singer on his HBO live concert, A Black And White Night Live, and Virgin Records released the studio recording on the 1987 soundtrack for Hiding Out, as a track on the various singles for "She's A Mystery To Me", as well as it appearing on his posthumous album King Of Hearts. If you thought his 1961 solo version made you cry, I think you'll agree their duet is the most emotional performance of either of their careers.
Professor, you’re the very best interviewer……you always know your subject, so well, it surprises them………..very much a fan 👍🏼🎸🎼🎹🥁
I literally grew up loving Roy Orbison. Your so right, I could go to a honky tonk bar and find him on the jukebox, go to the disco club and still fine Roy Orbison on the jukebox. You tell me😂 it was nice to hear what Elvis Presley had to say 🙂
I was lucky enough to see him live just before his death. How lucky I was to see this legend.
She's A Mystery To Me ❤
Great one!
Written by Bono, who fell asleep listening to In Dreams, and woke up with this song in his head.
@@mangrove Wow , I would have never pegged it as such ...
Second favorite song by Roy Orbison, had it played at my wedding.
I was 9 years old and traveling in Virginia when Roy suddenly passed. I quickly came to understand how absolutely beloved Roy was in that part of the Country at that time. For what seemed like a week straight the local radio DJ’s put Roy on the heaviest of heavy rotations and read essays of tribute.
Roy was an American treasure, I can't carry a tune in a bucket but who can sit quietly when Roy is crooning. I would be doing my best impression of Roy, to everyone's horror belting out cryyyying...Music has always spoken to my soul, be it Rock, Country, Gospel, Regae or Jazz. I certainly agree that one should stop everything and listen to a master. Dig the Elvis shirts.
I love this song. The verses are very restrained, like holding back a team of eager horses.
And then the chorus kicks in, and we're off to the races, running free.
Great observations.
Hollywood needs to do a biopic on Roy Orbison.
His voice was beyond words. People would say a voice of an angel. I would say a voice of a god. I mean no bleasphemy. If nobody ever heard him sing, his songs would still live forever. He was a composer that few could touch. Pretty Woman, Blue Bayou, Crying, the list goes on. Songs that will live forever.
Yeah, Roy was a legend. Only the Lonely is my favorite karaoke song.
The Big O! I grew up listening to Dad's old 45s. As soon as I was old enough & earned $ I went out & collected ALL of Roy, Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent & Eddie Cochran that I could hunt down.
How to choose one Roy song as a favourite? !!! My early Roy faves were "Working For the Man" & "Crying" (depending on my mood) ... but after listening to ALL of Roy's songs, I think the one that I love most for his sublime voice is "LEAH".
I'm also a massive fan of George Harrison & Jeff Lynne, and enjoy Tom Petty & Bob Dylan - so imagine my raptures when the Wilbury project appeared! It was reported that Del Shannon was to join the Wilburys after Roy's passing, but sadly Del passed too.
You really feel time fleeting when your musical icons ascend. Keep sharing their music! :)
"Roy Orbison's on the Radio Singing 'Only The Lonely'!" A very heartfelt tribute from none other than Bruce Springsteen.🤔😉🎤🚘🛣🎼🎵🎶🎸🎹🎷🎺🥁B.W.
For sure!
I was a teenage headbanger in the 80s, but Orbison and Wilburys cassettes were played in my car regularly.
Crying tears your heart out.
Blue angel is my favorite Roy Orbison song.
Love it.
Second that.
CRYING!!!! Is there a vocal performance of any song in the history of music that compares? THERE IS NOT!!!!
Please, let's not forget K.D. Lang and duo's with Roy
Who Roy said, she was perfect!
I just posted info on their iconic duet at the top of the comments. That should have been a #1 hit worldwide.
Professor ... you are without a doubt the busiest man in TH-cam today ... LOL! And that's a good thing. Thank you for your diligence. I have always loved Roy Orbison. The greatest singers/artists are the most unique. Roy is definitely one of those. Enjoyed this video.
Roy orbison is one of my favorite singer's. I loved his song in dreams about a candy colored sandman who makes things right in beautiful dreams. It was great in blue velvet when dennis hopper would get loaded on oxygen and sing it. I drove all night is one of my favorites too. Roy Orbison was one of the best in my opinion.
Hey Wayne!
Pretty Woman’s my favorite because Roy was just so classy and man that voice and range!
The week Roy passed away Iwas in a college speavh class. One of those exercises where you pull a topic out of a hat and do it in front of the class. My topoc was eulogy of Roy. I was a fan, late bloomer part of his comeback fan club and a bih fan of ELO. I knew quite a bit of his life and work with Jeff Lynn. My speach was perfect.... i saved it in my Traveling Will... album.
I was at a friend's house and he saw me looking at his Roy Orbison album. He said, "Roy Orbison is the master of the slow build." Best analysis of Roy I've ever heard.
What a beautiful way to put it
I've got to go with the aforementioned Running Scared. It is so rarely mentioned with Pretty Woman, Crying and Only the Lonely getting most of the attention, but it's structure and tempo are so unlike other pop offerings that you can't help but stop and listen to it every time it comes on.
Pretty woman is the song!!! Nice program to show a little tribute ti one of the Best voices all time and great human being
Thanks!
Good music is where you find it my friend. Love Roy, an amazing overlooked artist.
It's why you can't rely on pop radio to raise your kids.
Some local flavors from nova scotia profesor, are April wine 1970s, the trees modern.
From nova scotia, love the channel
Greetings Profesor Rock 🎸🥁🎵🎼👍. Good day 🍀🎸🎵
Good day!
@@ProfessorofRock 😃
Thanks for the show Adam, awesome as always.
A Twofer Saturday 🤘
You got it!
How great it must have been to have your hero record the song you wrote about him. Billy was stoked. The Traveling Wilburys were great. Especially for me, being long in the tooth.
No kidding.
Great story how the Travelling Wilbury's were formed…
Thanks. Roy was a great guy too. He lost his (1st) wife and kids in a fire, a terrible n horrible tragedy but he picked up the pieces and moved on. He said if you ask any guy on the street, you'll find that they also had a tragedy in their lives...(amazingly graceful)!
I was so happy to see Roy Orbison with the fabulous Traveling Wilburys when they made that 1st album but soon the tragedy hit us. 😢 RIP Roy ... a great guy, a great voice!
Oh, Roy! ❤❤❤❤❤
Best!
He had Coca-Cola and Marlboros on hand in recording sessions. This came from K.D. Lang. He was an amazing virtuoso level vocalist.
In my opinion Roy was the main star in the Traveling Wilburys.
I also would absolutely LOVE to hear John Waits version of I Drove All Night!
No question.
The other wilburys would prolly agree!!!
I think “main star” isn’t as accurate as “the heart” of The Travelling Wilburys. And George Harrison (R.I.P.) was the soul.
I saw Roy when he wasn’t popular in the ‘80s at the Orange County Fair in California. Might have been around the same time he recorded the demo. After that, I bought his greatest hits on cassette.
Brought tears to my eyes, Prof.
Roy was my mum’s favourite singer by a mile.
She passed in 2017. It’s always bittersweet to hear his voice these days. But always more sweet than bitter.
Thanks.
Orbison is the background music of my teen years and beyond.
It never ceases to amaze me how Roy barely opened his mouth when he sang and yet he sang with so much power and volume.
@BlondiePeony. Just like you, I was always fascinated by how Roy’s voice came out of his barely open mouth. I hope that the music Roy Orbison has left us will keep his memory alive in this World. Stay safe and well.
Exactly, amazing.
Roy Orbison is the greatest ever.
How can you compare some of the crap of today with Roy & others
TRAVELLING WILBURYS 💥💥💥💥❤️❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍 Thanks you guys for those albums LEGENDS
Love Roy. 😀
LEGEND
My favorite voices. Steve Perry, Ann Wilson, Steve Winwood, and Belinda Carlisle. Of course, if you have any love at all for music, there are hundreds of honorable mentions. Which includes Roy Orbison.
As a very young boy (4 or 5) I remember hearing "Crying". This would have been in the late 60's. Even at that age, I knew there was something very special about that song and the man singing it. To this day, it still sends a chill down my spine. Thank you for this tribute to him and the people who worked with him.
Roy Orbison well ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ amazing 👏 😍 👌 🙌
I was lucky enough to see him live in 1972. No gimmicks just pure talent.
Wonderful episode but it was hard to watch till the end ignoring the desire to immediately go listen to Roy’s music. I still vividly remember being in the back of the car pulling into Pizza Hut as a kid hearing him on the radio in the 80’s for the first time and my mother explaining to me how impactful his music was.
Uuuugh ! two drops today and I missed the start of both. Bob Marley & Roy Orbison two frakkin legends in music
For sure.
Same here. I got to work a 10hr shift today so I missed out on both. 😕
Pretty woman has such an important part in my life. I'm 67 and in the early 70s there was a big resurgence of 50s and 60s music. Our high school dances where all based on them. I was hanging out with my best friend Cathy and she was a beautiful girl and I was just starting to come into my own. One time when we where walking down the street her boyfriend pulled up and "Pretty woman " was on the radio. With Cathy's long brown hair swaying and the wiggle in her hips it fit her perfectly. That's the moment I realized that she wasn't the only Pretty one and her boyfriend said so. That song became my mantra ,it somehow gave me confidence. Every time I hear that song I think of all the Pretty women in the world that just need to see that it's what's inside as well as the outside that makes you pretty! Thanks Roy!❤❤❤
Wow Adam, twice in one day. This one takes me back to the 1960's. I'm not sure if it was "Pretty Woman" or "Only the Lonely" that I heard first, but which ever one I heard Roy seemed to touch my soul, I really don't know why. I'll say this though, with all of his great hits, "Only the Lonely" will always be my #1.
I didn't get to see the TV thing they did when he came back with "Anything You want", it was almost like he had never left. Some time later watched the show on You Tube. He may be gone, but he's still one of the all time best.
Thanks Robert!
POR !!!!!!!
2 IN ONE DAY!!!!!
Shark attack!