The talent of Roy Orbison
By Faye
@FayeHazel (40248)
United States
October 20, 2017 11:25am CST
How... in my history of listening to music, did the sheer talent of Roy Orbison escape my knowledge?
So I've grown up listening to his songs, which I've liked. It's hard to not know of Roy Orbison, with hits from the early days of rock such as "Pretty Woman", "Only the Lonely", "Blue Bayou", "In Dreams", "Sweet Dreams Baby", "Blue Angel" .... (I could go on...) and more recent hits such as "Drove All Night" and "You Got It". Not only did he sing these songs - he wrote many of them.
So I always liked his music, but never really, *really* listened to him until recently.
My jaw drops in astonishment. What a voice this man had. His "lows" (low notes) were silken, rich and full. And his amazing highs never seemed thin or weak, he didn't seem like he had to scream to get to those (amazing) highs. Wonderful control of tone. Modern music scholars have suggested that he may have had as much as a 4 octave range. (For example a lot of trained opera singers have around 2 octaves range) - Orbison possessed no formal training.
Elvis apparently once said that Orbison was the greatest vocalist he'd heard. I agree. Orbison's voice sends chills down my spine.
In spite of such high praise - in interviews I've watched - it seemed that Orbison remained a kind, gentle and ... humble... soul. Apparently he suffered from extreme shyness.
Even though he's been gone about 30 years it is a pity, humble celebrities are so refreshing and who knows what he would have went on to sing or write.
Thank you for the music and for sharing your "blessing", Roy. Roy was a Christian and remained thankful for the voice he had been gifted with.
Here's a link to a fun interview where Roy describes his song writing process. (Breaks into singing several times) :
Roy tells about how he wrote his songs.
14 people like this
12 responses
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
His voice just blows me away... powerful high notes... Roy once was talking about Falsetto as being the "weak part in your voice that is really high" - couldn't tell it was weak... even his high notes sounded powerful ... humming counts ! :-) I love "Only the Lonely" great song :-)
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
20 Oct 17
I've always enjoyed his songs. He had so many great ones. I like this fun song.
Skip navigation Sign inSearch Loading... Close Yeah, keep it Undo Close Watch QueueQueueWatch QueueQueue The next video is startingstop Loading... Watch Queue Queue __count__/__total__ Loading... Find out whyClose 60s/70s Fan Channel Loading... Unsubscrib
3 people like this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
I'd never heard "Penny Arcade" -- more and more great hits. Thanks for sharing
2 people like this
@Orson_Kart (6114)
• United Kingdom
20 Oct 17
Yeah, he is one of my all time favourite singers. Vocally I have him on a par with Andy Williams. Don't think we brits have any male to match those two.
The Big O was also part of The Traveling Wilburys who weren't quite the Supergroup I hoped they'd be. Too late in their careers I suppose. Loved End of the Line and it was for Roy, sadly.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6114)
• United Kingdom
22 Oct 17
@FayeHazel I am shocked you hadn't heard of Andy Williams! 
Yes, we have many talented singer/songwriters, but none with a voice like Roy had.
Yes, we have many talented singer/songwriters, but none with a voice like Roy had.1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
23 Oct 17
@Orson_Kart I know, right? Thanks for the introduction to Andy Williams. :-)
True that... Orbison was unique. I think we only get one of those types of voices per lifetime....
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
I had to look up Andy Williams - "Moon River" and "Love Story".... you're right, he is amazing too.
"Traveling Wilburys" - what a collection of stars! You're right - I would have thought that would have went over better. Maybe if Roy would have not passed.... I know he's been gone a long time, but it's still depressing to me - what songs would he have gone on to do....? I guess we will never know. The music video for "End of the Line" features a touching tribute for Orbison... (his framed photo and a guitar in a rocking chair)
But you brits did give us Mick Jagger, The Beatles and Adele :-)
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246905)
• United States
22 Oct 17
@FayeHazel I know! I feel the same. What a shame. 
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
I loved that interview ... he sounded cool even just talking. So humble... sweet... breaks my heart really that he passed (even though he's been gone so long) - a down to earth celebrity with talent.... much needed attitude in today's celebrities....
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
@DianneN A waste for sure... I am happy a re-discovered him. I wonder if his attitude being so soft and wonderful -- maybe affected his sound. Like if he'd been arrogant - maybe people could have heard it?
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
21 Oct 17
When I lived in Denver, my then-girlfriend did Karaoke. Every Weds night, a guy would get up there, absolutely nail a Roy Orbison song, and leave. It was awesome.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
22 Oct 17
@FayeHazel - He sounded very much like Roy.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
@teamfreak16 Wow... that is a steep feat right there. I hope he went on to sing more. Did/do you sing at karaoke?
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
Oh cool! I like watching karaoke - it's fun to see who sings what songs, hear different voices. Wow! That guy must have been incredible....
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Oct 17
I have always Loved his music, and his amazing talent. His songs are awesome and worth listening too
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
Songs with true soul, feeling, and that amazingly .. amazing.... voice... it gives my goosebumps, goosebumps
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
20 Oct 17
His voice is so pleasant to hear.. he had a great gift for sure.. 
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
So true, amazing he remained humble about that
1 person likes this
@Chantiele (433)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
21 Oct 17
I grew up with his music playing in our house, among other artists like CCR etc. I would have to say that Pretty Woman is my favorite.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
Music from the young days of rock - I am rediscovering it now. It's so amazing. "Pretty Woman" is a great tune - a hit for Van Halen years later
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62161)
• United States
20 Oct 17
And as I mentioned when I used "Blue Bayou" a couple of weeks ago, I don't think Roy Orbison got, gets, or ever shall receive, enough credit as a songwriter. Mercy, indeed!
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
@FourWalls Oh yeah! I wonder if that's a southern expression... and how he did that growl... meow.... wow. :-)
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
Oh so truth there -- his singing alone is impressive but then, considering that he wrote/co-wrote most of his hits. You're right. Not enough credit. Love that expression.. "Mercy!"
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Oct 17
I always thought Roy and Elvis had similar voices @FayeHazel . I do love Roy's singing.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
True - Elvis was similar. I guess the 2 admired each other a great deal - and were friends. :-)
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Oct 17
He sang with such emotion and abandon... so true.... his music sends chills down my spine. I guess at one point in time he'd been asked how he wanted to be remembered, to which he simply replied - that he wanted to be remembered.... he most certainly will be....
