Roy Orbison
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[edit] General
American singer (b. April 23 1936. d. December 6 1988). Popular singer-songwriter known for his trademark dark glasses and unusual vocal range.
[edit] Influence on the Beatles
Orbison was a favourite artist of all four Beatles and a big influence on their early songwriting and performing career. The first song the Beatles performed on the BBC was Orbison's "Dream Baby" (Broadcast March 8 1962 on "Teenagers Turn"). The Beatles second single Please Please Me was originally slower and "...concieved as a Roy Orbison type thing"[1] until George Martin suggested speeding it up.
[edit] 1963 Tour
The Beatles were booked as a support act for Roy Orbison's tour of Britain in 1963 but the the time the tour began The Beatles popularity had eclipsed Orbison's. They were moved into the headlining spot and closed the shows, with top-billing changing depending on the venue. The tour ran from May 18- June 9 1963, and visited 20 different cities. By the end of the tour Orbison and the Beatles had become close friends.
[edit] The Traveling Wilburys
George Harrison continued an association with Orbison in the 1980's, making a guest appearance on his final album and asking him to join an all-star band known as The Traveling Wilburys.
[edit] Trivia
Orbison recorded a short version of "Help!", which aired on the TV documentary "Everyman: John Lennon ‘Journey In The Life’", on December 6, 1985. It was released on the album Roy Orbison Live at the BBC in 1998.
[edit] Notes
- ↑ Miles, The Beatles in their own words.
[edit] References
- MILES B, 1992 The Ultimate Beatles Encyclopedia, Hyperion.
