Who Is Roy Orbison? Age, Biography and Wiki
Roy Orbison was born on April 23, 1936, in Vernon, Texas. He left an indelible mark on the music industry with his unique voice, emotive songwriting, and distinctive style. Tragically, he passed away on December 6, 1988, but his influence continues to resonate in the music world. As of 2025, if he were still alive, he would be 89 years old. His life story reflects a fascinating journey from a small-town boy to a rock and roll legend, earning him a permanent place in the hearts of music lovers worldwide.
| Occupation | Country Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 23, 1936 |
| Age | 52 Years |
| Birth Place | Vernon, Texas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 6 December, 1988 |
| Died Place | Hendersonville, Tennessee, U.S. |
Popularity
Roy Orbison's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Roy Orbison's height and weight at this time are not extensively documented, it is generally known that he stood around 6 feet (183 cm) tall. His weight fluctuated during his lifetime, but he was notable for his slim figure and iconic dark sunglasses that contributed significantly to his image.
As "In Dreams" was released in April 1963, Orbison was asked to replace Duane Eddy on a tour of the UK in top billing with the Beatles. The tour sold out in one afternoon. When Orbison arrived in Britain, however, he realized he was no longer the main draw.
He had never heard of the Beatles, and annoyed, asked rhetorically, "What's a Beatle, anyway?" to which John Lennon replied, after tapping his shoulder, "I am". On the opening night, Orbison opted to go onstage first, although he was the more established act. The Beatles stood dumbfounded backstage as Orbison simply played through 14 encores.
Finally, when the audience began chanting "We want Roy!" again, Lennon and Paul McCartney physically held Orbison back. Ringo Starr later said, "In Glasgow, we were all backstage listening to the tremendous applause he was getting.
He was just standing there, not moving or anything." Through the tour, however, the two acts quickly learned to get along, a process made easier by the fact that the Beatles admired his work. Orbison felt a kinship with Lennon, but George Harrison was with whom he would later form a strong friendship.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Roy Orbison was married twice during his lifetime. His first marriage was to Claudette Frady in 1956, and they had three sons together. Unfortunately, Claudette passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident in 1966, a loss that deeply affected Orbison. He later remarried in 1969 to Barbara Orbison, with whom he had two sons, Roy Jr. and Alexander. The couple remained together until his death in 1988. Throughout his life, Orbison maintained a focus on his family, often dedicating songs to his loved ones.
He was the second of three sons born to Orbie Lee Orbison (1913–1984) and Nadine Vesta Shults (1914–1992). His father was an oil-field driller, who struggled to find work after the Great Depression, and his mother enjoyed painting and writing poetry.
Orbison’s direct paternal ancestry was traced to Thomas Orbison (born 1715) from Lurgan, Ireland, who settled in the Province of Pennsylvania in the middle of the 18th century. According to The Authorized Roy Orbison, a biography written by Orbison's son Alex, the family moved to Fort Worth in 1942 to find work in the aircraft factories.
Due to eyesight problems, Orbison wore thick glasses from the age of four.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Roy Orbison's net worth was estimated to be around $20 million. His earnings were primarily derived from his successful music career, with hit songs such as "Oh, Pretty Woman," "Crying," and "Only the Lonely" contributing to his wealth. In 2025, his estate continues to generate income from royalties, merchandising, and posthumous releases, solidifying his financial legacy.
After graduating from high school in 1954, Orbison enrolled at North Texas State College in Denton. His plan was to study geology so he could secure work in the oil fields if music did not pay; however, he became bored with the course in its first year, and switched to history and English.
Orbison preferred to play music with fellow students Billy Pat Ellis, Dick Penner, and Wade Moore. Penner and Moore had written a simple, catchy rockabilly song, "Ooby Dooby", which impressed Orbison, and he started looking into how he could make a recording of it. Orbison continued performing with the Wink Westerners after his first year.
He then heard that his schoolmate Pat Boone had signed a record deal, and it further strengthened his resolve to become a professional musician.
At a New Year's Eve dance in 1954, the Wink Westerners had mostly played country and western swing music throughout the night, but ended the night by playing Bill Haley & the Comets’ hit song "Shake, Rattle and Roll" repeatedly, which became the catalyst for the band switching to rock and roll music.
Also, Orbison had seen Elvis Presley perform back during his days at North Texas State College in 1954, and was impressed by the shocking gyrations that Elvis exhibited on stage.
Career, Business, and Investments
Roy Orbison's career spanned several decades, beginning in the late 1950s. He was a trailblazer in the rock genre, known for his powerful ballads and smooth melodies. His collaboration with the Traveling Wilburys, a supergroup featuring Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne, showcased his versatility and ability to appeal across generations. Orbison was also involved in various business ventures, including music publishing and producing, which contributed to his financial success. His influence can be seen in countless artists who cite him as an inspiration.
After the mid-1960s, Orbison suffered a number of personal tragedies, and his career faltered. He experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1980s, following the success of several cover versions of his songs. In 1988, he co-founded the Traveling Wilburys supergroup with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne.
Orbison died of a heart attack that December at age 52. One month later, his song "You Got It" (1989) was released as a solo single, becoming his first hit to reach the top 10 in both the US and UK in nearly 25 years.
Social Network
While Roy Orbison himself was not part of the digital age and did not utilize social media during his lifetime, his legacy lives on through numerous fan pages and tribute accounts dedicated to his music and impact. Many of these platforms share remastered music, archival performances, and personal anecdotes from fans, helping to keep his memory alive.
Born in Texas, Orbison began singing in a country-and-western band as a teenager. He was signed by Sam Phillips of Sun Records in 1956 after being urged by Johnny Cash. Elvis was leaving Sun and Phillips was looking to replace him. His first Sun recording, "Ooby Dooby", was a direct musical sound-a-like of Elvis's early Sun recordings.
He had some success at Sun, but enjoyed his greatest success with Monument Records. From 1960 to 1966, 22 of Orbison's singles reached the Billboard top 40.
He wrote or co-wrote almost all of his own top-10 hits, including "Only the Lonely" (1960), "Running Scared" (1961), "Crying" (1961), "In Dreams" (1963), "Oh, Pretty Woman" (1964), "I Drove All Night" (1987), "She's a Mystery to Me" (1988), "You Got It" (1988), and "California Blue" (1988).
Education
Roy Orbison attended North Texas State University, where he began pursuing his passion for music. Although he did not complete a formal degree, his education in the arts significantly influenced his songwriting and performance style. He often spoke about being inspired by other musicians and artists during his formative years, leading to the creation of timeless music that continues to resonate today.
In conclusion, Roy Orbison's extraordinary life and career have left an everlasting impact on the music landscape. His remarkable talent and heart-wrenching songs continue to be celebrated, ensuring that his legacy as a musical icon endures through the ages.
The Orbison family moved again in 1946, to Wink, Texas, in search of employment. Orbison described life in Wink as "football, oil fields, oil, grease, and sand" and expressed relief that he was able to leave the desolate town. Orbison was self-conscious about his appearance and began dyeing his nearly white hair black when he was still young.
He was quiet, self-effacing, polite, and obliging. During recess at school, he played guitar by himself while the other kids were playing physical games. As a teenager, Orbison's lack of sporting ability left him with shyness and low self-esteem. He was always keen to sing, however, and considered his voice memorable, but not great.
