Roy Orbison was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was born on April 23, 1936, in Vernon, Texas, and passed away on December 6, 1988, in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was known for his distinctive voice, emotional ballads, and dark sunglasses.

Orbison started his music career in the 1950s, working as a songwriter and performer. He achieved his first commercial success in 1960 with his hit single "Only the Lonely," which reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. He followed up with a string of hit songs, including "Running Scared," "Crying," and "Oh, Pretty Woman," which became his signature song and topped the charts in both the US and UK.

Orbison's music was notable for its complex melodies, dramatic arrangements, and powerful vocals. He was known for his ability to convey deep emotions through his singing, which often dealt with themes of heartbreak and loss. He was also one of the pioneers of the rock and roll genre, blending elements of country, pop, and R&B in his music.

In addition to his successful solo career, Orbison was a member of the supergroup the "Traveling Wilburys", alongside Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, George Harrison, and Jeff Lynne. The group released two albums in the late 1980s.

Orbison's influence on popular music has been significant, with many artists citing him as a major inspiration. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.

• "Lonely and Blue" (1961)
• "Roy Orbison at the Rock House" (1961)
• "Crying" (1962)
• "In Dreams" (1963)
• "Oh, Pretty Woman" (non-US) (1964)
• "There Is Only One Roy Orbison" (1965)
• "Orbisongs" (1965)
• "The Orbison Way" (1966)
• "The Classic Roy Orbison" (1966)
• "Roy Orbison Sings Don Gibson/Sweet Dreams" (Africa) (1967)
• "Cry Softly Lonely One" (1967)
• "Roy Orbison's Many Moods" (1969)
• "Hank Williams the Roy Orbison Way" (1970)
• "The Big O" (1970)
• "Roy Orbison Sings" (1972)
• "Memphis" (1972)
• "Milestones" (1973)
• "I'm Still in Love with You" (1975)
• "Regeneration" (1976)
• "Laminar Flow" (1979)
• "Class of '55: Memphis Rock & Roll Homecoming" (with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins) (1986)
• "In Dreams: The Greatest Hits" (1987)
• "Mystery Girl" (1989)
• "King of Hearts" (1992)
• "One of the Lonely Ones" (2015)

• Explore Roy Orbison music on Amazon.