ORBISON, ROY
(1936–1988)
ORBISON, ROY (b. Vernon, Tex., April 23, 1936–December 6, 1988) Orbison exists in that mythical region somewhere between country and rock; indeed, though he has recorded and been successful in both genres, he is most famous for a series of early 1960s pop ballads that exist in their own special world, propelled by his operatic, unearthly singing voice. Orbison began performing as a teenager, leading the country band The Wink Westerners , who performed on his tiny hometown radio station. After…