In later years, he was part of a super group, The Traveling Wilburys: Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, George Harrison of The Beatles and Jeff Lynne of ELO. Songs: End of the Line and Handle with Care 1988. End of the Line: the video was made after Roy passed away so they have a black and white photo of him during his singing parts and his guitar is in a rocking chair during his singing parts.
You know you are respected when your supporting cast here includes Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, KD Lang, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, Jennifer Warnes and more.
When you lose your significant other, when you first wake up is the worst moment-you realize all over again that they are gone. Dreaming about a love one that has passed, gives you a brief moment to reunite with them.
Yes ! Horrible what he had to go through. Many people go through hard times so his singing and the way he does it is like an understanding friend giving comfort. Great artist!
The thing about Roy's voice is it is so close to perfect that when Elvis was asked," What's it like to be the best singer in the world" he answered," I don't know, you'd better go and ask Roy Orbison."
What you really need to know about this incredible song is the sad story behind it. Roy's wife died in a motorcycle accident next to him, and his 2 young sons died in a house fire while staying with their Grandparents. Listen carefully to the lyrics again, and you'll suddenly realize it's all about them... 😢
Nice story, but not true. He wrote it late in 1962, recorded it on January 4th 1963 and it was released later that month. Claudette was killed in 1966, the boys in 1968.
This was a live performance in front of a roomful of movie and music royalty. The backup players on that stage is one of the largest collection of huge talent ever assembled on one stage. The female backing vocals were Jennifer Warnes, k.d. lang, and Bonnie Raitt. If you do not know who they are, look each one up. You will be impressed. Male backing vocals were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, and Steven Soles, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, etc. Everyone on that stage could sell out a stadium by themselves. They were each some of the largest selling acts of the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's. Not to mention some of the biggest and best songwriters, singers, and musicians of those decades. Oh, and Elvis Presley's band were up there, too. A one night only gig, they rehearsed for about a day, and then nailed it.
Thank you. Roy was born in 1936. Most of his hits were released around the early 1960s. This live concert, known as "Black and White Night," was recorded in 1987 and was broadcast and then released on media in 1988. So Roy was 51 when this was shot, and he still had his whole vocal range over 25 years after the original studio recordings of some of the these songs. Roy died in 1988. All the backup instrumentalists (other than the string section) and the backup vocalists were stars in their own right. They considered it a privilege to be included on this project.
JD Souther put it together and directed the band. He was a protege of Roy's as a writer. Roy wrote this song. Bruce Springsteen is here , Elvis Costello is playing next to him. James Burton guitar for Elvis and Rick Nelson is to the left. The stand up Bass is a former Elvis band member. The chick singers have 2 academy awards and a truckload of Grammys. Jennifer Warnes has the Oscars for movie themes. Bonnie Raitt is a Blues legend, KD Laing is a grammy winner in several genres. Tom Waites is there. I have the DVD there are more. Roy was one of the original Sun Records legends. People asked Sam Phillips why he sold Elvis to RCA. His answer was Elvis was the least talented of the bunch. Roy, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins were all virtuoso players and song writers. Elvis would not perform on the same bill as Roy. respect. I used to know Bruce and Bonnie. I introduce them. We all loved Roy's music. Roy shows off his guitar chops with Bruce jamming on Pretty Woman. He wrote that too.
This is from his Black & White Night concert from 1988 with the most incredible cast of musicians. Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits...and members of Elvis Presley's band. KD Lang, Jennifer Warnes and Bonnie Raite on backing vocals. The whole DVD is pretty incredible.
Former church choir singer Roy Hamilton, whose big baritone voice turned him into a major rhythm and blues artist who crossed over into pop in the '50s, may have been Elvis's No. 1 favorite singer. He especially loved Hamilton's version of Unchained Melody and later recorded it himself.
100% agree with you! Elvis admired many singers, but during a live show in Vegas in 1976, Elvis claimed that Roy Orbison was his favourite singer & had the perfect voice.
Sorry , but no he didn't . He said he had the perfect voice & was the greatest singer yes , ( hence he never did a cover of an Orbison song ) but Roy Hamilton was his favourite singer & a massive influence & inspiration . Greatest & favourite are two very different things .
I believe this song is about his wife and sons. His wife died in a motorbike accident. And a couple months later his two sons died in a house fire. This song is about how he now only sees them in his dreams. Johnny Cash bought the house after the incident, and tore out the buildings and planted an orchard in memory of Orbison sons. It’s a beautiful song.
@@steeltrap3800 Yes actually, I just checked, you are correct. My mother-in-law and her siblings are die hard Orbison fans, and that's the story they told me. :) All the great's have some tragic mythos. Ive been sharing this all over youtube too lol
@@xanderduffy6461 Well it's an attractive idea. So many of Roy's songs were "sad", however, it's easy to imagine hundreds of people around him must've died over the years LOL. I've seen it mentioned many times, and put a comment correcting it mainly because I imagine the people would like to know the truth of it. I read a biography of his and he is reported as having said in one or more interviews that in fact he couldn't write when he was sad himself; he just tapped into the feelings when he did write, but found he wasn't really able to do much if he was particularly sad. It's almost certainly a major reason his writing declined so obviously after the death of his sons on top of their mother just two years prior, which is hardly surprising. I've been a fan for decades. As a classically trained tenor, I've had the pleasure of singing his songs as my voice can cover the same range easily enough. Cheers!
People back in the day could really sing. Today's singers should study the singers of the past. This show was done live in late 1980s. The songs done that night were hits from the past.
When the greatest performer ever to Live says you have the greatest voice ever that’s the ultimate compliment, and that’s what Elvis Presley said about Roy Orbison
@@DerWutendeMetzger I didn’t know that. Ty that’s a great trivia question. Roy Orbison was amazing ! Top 5 male vocalist ever Elvis… Freddie Mercury…. Steve Perry and I gotta put Peter Cetera of Chicago in there
Roy Orbison was one of the great artists of the early days of rock and roll. He started on the Sun Record label…the one that brought us Elvis,Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis , and Carl Perkins… and was a songwriter as well as a singer. He wrote Claudette that was a decent hit for the Everly Brothers. His career took off when he joined Monument Records and teamed with Bordeaux Bryant in1960. His first song Only The Lonely was a monster hit in 1960 and he followed with numerous hits, several Top Ten smashes, and a couple of #1 hits… Running Scared and Oh!Pretty Woman. His most popular era was 1960 until1965 and then music tastes changed and he was considered square and old fashioned. Luckily he left behind a treasury of great music .
That was filmed at a tribute to Orbison, so a lot of the accompanying musicians are actually stars in their own right. Both Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello are on rhythm guitars, KD Lang is one of the backup singers. I can't name them all, but its basically an all-star orchestra to honor Orbison. The concert was filmed in one take.
This was Roy Orbison and Friends, Black And White Night. It aired in 1988. Every band member is a famous musician and the 3 background singers are too. Here is some info... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Orbison_and_Friends:_A_Black_and_White_Night
I was smiling and chuckling when you paused to rave about his vocals, thinking: "You ain't heard nothin' yet." Phenomenal stuff! Enjoyed your reaction to arguably the greatest American pop singer of his time, definitely brought a smile to my face..
I wish I could remember some more details of this . . . way back when the Traveling Wilburys were touring, I read a magazine interview (could have been in Classic Rock magazine, not sure) in which the journalist, on the tour bus, asked whether having so many singers in one band ever caused any friction. Orbison straight away replied, "No, I'm the singer, all these other are just vocal stylists!" - and none of them batted an eyelid in dispute.
This wasa live show. His guests, playing in the background, include Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne. Roy was the rock stars' rock star.
Roy Orbison: lead vocals, guitar, harmonica T Bone Burnett: acoustic guitar; musical director TCB Band: Glen D. Hardin: piano James Burton: lead guitar Jerry Scheff: upright bass Ronnie Tutt: drums Guest performers: Bruce Springsteen: guitar, vocals Elvis Costello: acoustic guitar, electric organ, harmonica Tom Waits: electric organ, acoustic guitar Michael Utley: keyboard Alex Acuña: percussion Ezra Klinger, Pavel Farkas, Concertmaster Christopher Reutinger, Carol Shive, Cynthia Morrow, Bobby Debow: violin Jimbo Ross & Peter Hatch: viola Guest Vocalists: J. D. Souther: backing vocals; acoustic guitar; vocal arrangements Steven Soles: backing vocals Jackson Browne: backing vocals Bonnie Raitt: backing vocals k.d. lang: backing vocals Jennifer Warnes: backing vocals
This was in 1987 when he was filming a concert for HBO just a year before his death. Roy’s voice was perfection his whole life. Amazing talent and lovely person.
This was a live performance from a concert called "Roy Orbison & Friends-A Black and White Night." It was filmed in 1987, one year before Roy's untimely death in 1988. He was 51 when this was performed. One of his masterpieces!
This video is from his comeback concert, Black & White Night 30 on September 30, 1987. He was 51 at the time. Artists who were inspired by Roy over the years performed on stage with him, including Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, k.d. Lang, and others.
Interesting fact..... Elvis was jeaolus of Roy, even dyed his dirty blonde hair black . Roy was not a pretty man but that voice was heaven. Roy left us too early, only 52 and yes, he would be considered legally blind in these days. We use to call those lenses Coke Bottles.
In addition to Roy Orbison, one of the most iconic and recognizable voices of all time, in this "Black and White Night", were, among others, Bruce Springstein, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, k.d. lang, Jennifer Warnes, and Boonie Raitt. The whole video is magic. When they all sing Pretty Woman together, they're having such a great time. The video was filmed live in 1987 when Roy was 51.
After school we kids would gather at this 'little hole in the wall' restaurant that had a Juke Box to listen to music and socialize before going home. Every time someone played a Roy Orbison song the whole place got quiet, paying homage to one of the greatest voices ever. Thank you for reviving this amazing talent and bringing back some wonderful memories.
Elvis among many other people loved his voice and only wished that they could reach the highest level of his voice. There is no other ❤ more please 😊 you may not know but there are many famous musicians and singers in this special concert filmed in black and white. Classic 🎶🎵😎❤
This was a special filmed in 1987 and released in 1988 not long before he passed away called Roy Orbison and friends: A Black and White Night. Loaded with stars it was spearheaded by Bruce Springsteen. As for his dark glasses, in a book by his children to clear up myths about Roy there is a excerpt about how he left his glasses on a plane when arriving in the UK to tour with the Beatles. He could not see with out his prescription glasses so he put on his prescription sun glasses. Was photographed the whole tour with them on. And it became his trademark.
I saw him in concert. It was for a small audience. I was very close and it was wonderful. He was so soft spoken and shy. That all changed we he started. A fabulous night❣️
This version is from "Roy Orbison and Friends A Black and White Night" from 1988. Those joining him on stage were fellow musicians, who totally admired him. Off the top of my head, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Jackson Brown, Tom Waits, and a few others. Backup singers - Bonnie Raitt, k.d. lang, and Jennifer Warnes. That was the start of Roy's comeback and he later joined the Traveling Wilburys. Music is universal and understood by everyone. The performing artists respected and admired Roy Orbison and came together to share his music at a time when Roy wasn't performing. An absolute treasure for the next generation. In Dreams was featured in the movie Blue Velvet. Thanks for keeping it real.
I was trying to put your comments on here at the same time, so I'll just bow out to your effort since you have all ther right star''s names. This is epic...find it if you can!
I've seen alot of people mention all of the people backing him; Springsteen, Costello, etc. I wanted to point out one more. The gentleman in white with the acoustic guitar next to the stand up bass, is the great James Burton. He was Ricky Nelson's guitar player pretty much from the start playing on about every hit he had. Elvis requested that Burton be his lead guitarist when he did his shows in Vegas, even helping put the TCB band together and a few from that band were also a part of this performance with Roy I believe. Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones gave the speech putting Burton in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. You put a Telecaster in his hands and he could play anything you wanted.
This is probably my favorite Roy Orbison song. I remember when it came out and I've loved it ever since. His career spanned from the late '50 on. He was known as the "Caruso" of rock. Enrique Caruso was a very famous opera singer from earlier decades.
His biggest hits were around 1960. The Beatles opened for him. It’s a shame he was in the middle of a major career resurgence when he died. This special (dated around 1986-87), his duets with kd lang and Emmylou Harris, his inclusion in The Traveling Wilburys, his work on his final album with Jeff Lynne. He was prime for a victory lap. This performance is amazing. His backup band is Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, kd lang, Bonnie Raitt, Jennifer Warnes, some Jordanares, T Bone Burnett. What’s cool about the evening is that they were truly a backup band. It wasn’t let me come on for my duet kind of thing. The spotlight remained squarely on Roy who has to be one of the humblest rock stars in history.
A lot of Roy's songs had that "build" to them, where his vocals start low and gradually build up to those amazing high vocals. It always gives me goosebumps. By the way the REAL story about wearing his sunglasses, is this..... In 1963 when Roy was on tour with THE BEATLES, he left his thick eyeglasses on the plane (his regular clear glasses), so the only thing he could do was wear his prescription sunglasses on stage, he liked it better, PLUS he got a great reaction from the audience (I guess the fans thought it looked really cool) and from then on he always wore them on stage. It's true that a LOT of people thought he was blind, just very near sighted.
Roy himself said he " didn't have terrible eye sight,he was far sited." AS LONG as he wore his lens he was fine...He left his regular eye glasses on the plane, so he had to wear the darker ones..He even said " he didn't know how it would be because no one was wearing dark glasses back then...It went over very well so he always wore them as style n liked it better..God Bless this man as he has blessed us....
If u want to hear the most angelic voice u have ever heard, check out John Denver! Rocky Mountain High, Annie's song, This Old Guitar, Poems, prayers and promises, & Take me home, Country roads are just a few of my favorites by him!
This was a television special called Black and White. Look up all the artists who were playing and singing with him that night. This was a comeback for him after his initial fame in the early 60s. This was during the time of the creation of The Traveling Wilburys which was a super group that included Roy, George Harrison of the Beatles, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and more. He died not long after this newfound fame in the eighties. Roy's voice is incomparable, so beautiful, clear, strong and dreamy.
Don’t know if this was said before, but this is from an incredible late 80’s concert video called In Black and White. He played it with many other rock icons, from Bruce Springsteen to Elvis Costello to Jackson Browne and on and on. Roy not only brilliantly sang his hits but wrote them. He unfortunately passed not long after this concert. He was and remains an icon.
Rory Orbison emerged in the Rockabilly genre in the 1960s, along with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holley, etc. He was known for lilting voice and complex melodies. His popularity faded in the 1970s, but resurged in the 1980s until his death in 1988. At the time of his death he had joined the super group, The Traveling Wilburys, dying 6 weeks after the release of their first album. A subsequent single, "End of the Line" was released, where Orbison and the rest of the band had recorded their parts, including Orbison's solo on the third verse, but Bob Dylan had not been present. Dylan later recorded his part and in the video, Rory is depicted by a photo on a rocking chair.
This had to be recorded in the 80's. Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen are on guitars and look young. Roy signed by Sun Records; his first hit was in 1956 with "Ooby Dooby"..
This is my absolute favorite Roy Orbison song. I heard his music since I was very young and all throughout my life as he was my dad's favorite. Beautiful and pure totally unique
He was past his vocal prime here. In his prime he could blow your hair back in the last row and he did. I saw him and he was so powerful we lost it with joy
All of us old(er) people know about this we lived through it! If you didn't really have a good voice you couldn't make it, and if you didn't sound good live there was not much hope for you because concerts were the thing back in our day. I loved your reaction to this one!
My first time hearing this song. It gets progressively more beautiful and I wish it would never end. In Dreams A candy-colored clown they call the sandman Tiptoes to my room every night Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper Go to sleep, everything is alright I close my eyes then I drift away Into the magic night, I softly say A silent prayer like dreamers do Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you In dreams I walk with you In dreams I talk to you In dreams you're mine all of the time We're together in dreams, in dreams But just before the dawn I awake and find you gone I can't help it I can't help it If I cry I remember that you said goodbye It's too bad that all these things Can only happen in my dreams Only in dreams In beautiful dreams Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Roy K. Orbison "Orbison later claimed that "In Dreams" came to him while he was sleeping, as many of his songs did. He often heard music while asleep, with a radio disc jockey announcing that it was Elvis Presley's new song. Orbison was half-awake when he imagined "In Dreams", and thought, " I need to finish that." It was first performed in February, 1963 In Dreams (Roy Orbison song) - Wikipedia wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org › wiki › In_Dreams_(Roy_Orbison)
Truly one of my favourite songs of all time. A fantastic series of sections, none of which repeat. 16 in 1963, I met Mary at the Saturday night YMCA teen dance & fell in Love
We totally lost one of the greats when he passed. I remember him from the 60’s singing Pretty Woman! He made a comeback with the Traveling Wilburys. 5 superstars in one band!
You need to watch Roy sing "Running Scared". Please notice the fact that he's performing in front of a live audience, so it has to be a "one take". Secondly, watch how he plays guitar while singing and NEVER strains to hit the high notes. You need to watch the full video of Black and White Night, all the talent is amazing!
This was the black and white night concert a live performance of many of his hits. A who’s who of other performers paying homage to Roy behind him and voicing their admiration including Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, K D Lang, J D Souther, Bonnie Raite, Elvis Costello etc
Roy was an untrained Roughneck on the rigs in west Texas. Elvis once said that Roy was the greatest singing voice...ever. Bono of U2 recorded with him and said he couldn't understand how he stood next to him, and a voice came out of him that was beyond comprehension, and he barely moved his lips. In this band is Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, K. D. Lang and many more class A artists. This was his last great moment before the world lost a LEGEND. I cried...
I believe he had a 3+ octave range... Not too many performers can claim that talent. He was also known for his glass-shattering falsetto. Love his music.
Roy Orbison's Black & White Night - where he had almost every amazing musician on the stage because they loved and respected him so much. Bruce Springsteen was like, "I'll sit here on strum a guitar even if I'm the biggest rock star in the world." Then nine others like Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, KD Lang, so many more.
I was 15 years old and even though they couldn't afford it, my parents got me a record player and my first LP and it was Roy Orbison..this song was on it!!!
Great performance from an iconic performer. Roy was one of the best. This concert, recorded live in September 1987 at the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles, was special when you check out who the backing band & singers were... to name a few: Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, with KD Lang, Jennifer Warren and Bonnie Raitt on backing vocals. Outstanding! Great reaction BP! You are choosing great stuff.
This was a live show from 1988. When I watched the whole concert and started picking out the cast of musicians I was amazed. I spotted Springsteen, Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt and thought Wow!. Then I saw Elvis Costello and Tom Waits and knew it was something extra special. I found this video from the show: Roy Orbison & Friends (1988) ua-cam.com/video/JCseJKNEZeE/v-deo.html
Roy was a star among stars. That powerful voice coming from that ordinary-looking man standing stock still, hardly even opening his mouth... There was nobody else like him and there still isn't.
In later years, he was part of a super group, The Traveling Wilburys: Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, George Harrison of The Beatles and Jeff Lynne of ELO.
Songs: End of the Line and Handle with Care 1988.
End of the Line: the video was made after Roy passed away so they have a black and white photo of him during his singing parts and his guitar is in a rocking chair during his singing parts.
My favorite supergroup, travelling wilburys volume 1 is one of those few albums where i can sing along to every song.
What a Super Group without the ego.
Note the backing band here springsteen ,Jackson browne, bonnie, rait ,plus many other greats good help at any ones view
You know you are respected when your supporting cast here includes Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, KD Lang, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, Jennifer Warnes and more.
Damn straight!
When you lose your significant other, when you first wake up is the worst moment-you realize all over again that they are gone. Dreaming about a love one that has passed, gives you a brief moment to reunite with them.
Yes ! Horrible what he had to go through. Many people go through hard times so his singing and the way he does it is like an understanding friend giving comfort.
Great artist!
The thing about Roy's voice is it is so close to perfect that when Elvis was asked," What's it like to be the best singer in the world" he answered," I don't know, you'd better go and ask Roy Orbison."
What you really need to know about this incredible song is the sad story behind it. Roy's wife died in a motorcycle accident next to him, and his 2 young sons died in a house fire while staying with their Grandparents. Listen carefully to the lyrics again, and you'll suddenly realize it's all about them... 😢
Nice story, but not true.
He wrote it late in 1962, recorded it on January 4th 1963 and it was released later that month.
Claudette was killed in 1966, the boys in 1968.
This was a live performance in front of a roomful of movie and music royalty.
The backup players on that stage is one of the largest collection of huge talent ever assembled on one stage.
The female backing vocals were Jennifer Warnes, k.d. lang, and Bonnie Raitt. If you do not know who they are, look each one up. You will be impressed.
Male backing vocals were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, and Steven Soles, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, etc.
Everyone on that stage could sell out a stadium by themselves.
They were each some of the largest selling acts of the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's.
Not to mention some of the biggest and best songwriters, singers, and musicians of those decades.
Oh, and Elvis Presley's band were up there, too.
A one night only gig, they rehearsed for about a day, and then nailed it.
Thank you.
Roy was born in 1936. Most of his hits were released around the early 1960s.
This live concert, known as "Black and White Night," was recorded in 1987 and was broadcast and then released on media in 1988. So Roy was 51 when this was shot, and he still had his whole vocal range over 25 years after the original studio recordings of some of the these songs. Roy died in 1988.
All the backup instrumentalists (other than the string section) and the backup vocalists were stars in their own right. They considered it a privilege to be included on this project.
truth!! Springsteen, Costello, Raitt, and Lang...i'm sure I'm forgetting something....
JD Souther put it together and directed the band. He was a protege of Roy's as a writer. Roy wrote this song. Bruce Springsteen is here , Elvis Costello is playing next to him. James Burton guitar for Elvis and Rick Nelson is to the left. The stand up Bass is a former Elvis band member. The chick singers have 2 academy awards and a truckload of Grammys. Jennifer Warnes has the Oscars for movie themes. Bonnie Raitt is a Blues legend, KD Laing is a grammy winner in several genres. Tom Waites is there. I have the DVD there are more. Roy was one of the original Sun Records legends. People asked Sam Phillips why he sold Elvis to RCA. His answer was Elvis was the least talented of the bunch. Roy, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins were all virtuoso players and song writers. Elvis would not perform on the same bill as Roy. respect. I used to know Bruce and Bonnie. I introduce them. We all loved Roy's music. Roy shows off his guitar chops with Bruce jamming on Pretty Woman. He wrote that too.
@@robinfra52 thats awesome...great mems huh
did you notice Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen in the background?
This is from his Black & White Night concert from 1988 with the most incredible cast of musicians. Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits...and members of Elvis Presley's band. KD Lang, Jennifer Warnes and Bonnie Raite on backing vocals. The whole DVD is pretty incredible.
Don't short sell the string section.
@@Johnnycdrums The totality of musicianship at that show was astounding for sure!
Jennifer Warnes
@@billdaverne9389 Thanks, fixed it.
Wow! Thanks for the info !
I saw him in concert. It lasted just over an hour. A critic wrote the next day that an hour of Roy Orbison is worth two hours of anybody else. Amen!
I don't know if anyone told you but Roy Orbison was Elvis Presley's favorite singer
Former church choir singer Roy Hamilton, whose big baritone voice turned him into a major rhythm and blues artist who crossed over into pop in the '50s, may have been Elvis's No. 1 favorite singer. He especially loved Hamilton's version of Unchained Melody and later recorded it himself.
@@neillenet291 It's a battle Roy. 🙂
100% agree with you! Elvis admired many singers, but during a live show in Vegas in 1976, Elvis claimed that Roy Orbison was his favourite singer & had the perfect voice.
Sorry , but no he didn't . He said he had the perfect voice & was the greatest singer yes , ( hence he never did a cover of an Orbison song ) but Roy Hamilton was his favourite singer & a massive influence & inspiration . Greatest & favourite are two very different things .
@@TheDude3007-dd7fg exactly
Roy could sing the phone book and it would sound amazing. His voice was 1 of a kind and will live on forever. Gives me goosebumps every time ❤
Roy Orbison has the most amazing voice and a bunch of hits
This is from his Black and White concert. Elvis Costell and Bruce Springsteen among others played on stage with him.
k.d Lang was also a backing singer. 👀
LOL...i thought i was losing it when i saw bruce in the back of him.😅
I believe this song is about his wife and sons. His wife died in a motorbike accident. And a couple months later his two sons died in a house fire. This song is about how he now only sees them in his dreams.
Johnny Cash bought the house after the incident, and tore out the buildings and planted an orchard in memory of Orbison sons.
It’s a beautiful song.
A common myth.
He wrote it late 1962, recorded and released it January 1963.
Claudette was killed in '66, the two boys in '68.
@@steeltrap3800 Yes actually, I just checked, you are correct. My mother-in-law and her siblings are die hard Orbison fans, and that's the story they told me. :) All the great's have some tragic mythos.
Ive been sharing this all over youtube too lol
@@xanderduffy6461 Well it's an attractive idea. So many of Roy's songs were "sad", however, it's easy to imagine hundreds of people around him must've died over the years LOL. I've seen it mentioned many times, and put a comment correcting it mainly because I imagine the people would like to know the truth of it.
I read a biography of his and he is reported as having said in one or more interviews that in fact he couldn't write when he was sad himself; he just tapped into the feelings when he did write, but found he wasn't really able to do much if he was particularly sad.
It's almost certainly a major reason his writing declined so obviously after the death of his sons on top of their mother just two years prior, which is hardly surprising.
I've been a fan for decades. As a classically trained tenor, I've had the pleasure of singing his songs as my voice can cover the same range easily enough.
Cheers!
Simply one of the best male vocalists of all time. Unbelievably simple.
This was filmed in 1988, Roy was 52. This is one of my favourite Roy songs, love his voice. Thank you for this one
The best male vocalist and writer of great songs.
Try Blue Bayou. I am 75 and grew up to true talented singers like him. Loved their music
People back in the day could really sing. Today's singers should study the singers of the past. This show was done live in late 1980s. The songs done that night were hits from the past.
At the age of 75 there are a handful of singers that are instantly recognisable and this man is one of them, wonderful
When the greatest performer ever to Live says you have the greatest voice ever that’s the ultimate compliment, and that’s what Elvis Presley said about Roy Orbison
Roy is also the only performer to open for both Elvis and the Beatles.
@@DerWutendeMetzger I didn’t know that. Ty that’s a great trivia question. Roy Orbison was amazing ! Top 5 male vocalist ever Elvis… Freddie Mercury…. Steve Perry and I gotta put Peter Cetera of Chicago in there
Roy Orbison was one of the great artists of the early days of rock and roll. He started on the Sun Record label…the one that brought us Elvis,Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis , and Carl Perkins… and was a songwriter as well as a singer. He wrote Claudette that was a decent hit for the Everly Brothers. His career took off when he joined Monument Records and teamed with Bordeaux Bryant in1960. His first song Only The Lonely was a monster hit in 1960 and he followed with numerous hits, several Top Ten smashes, and a couple of #1 hits… Running Scared and Oh!Pretty Woman. His most popular era was 1960 until1965 and then music tastes changed and he was considered square and old fashioned. Luckily he left behind a treasury of great music .
That was filmed at a tribute to Orbison, so a lot of the accompanying musicians are actually stars in their own right. Both Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello are on rhythm guitars, KD Lang is one of the backup singers. I can't name them all, but its basically an all-star orchestra to honor Orbison. The concert was filmed in one take.
Every single musician on that stage was/is a star in their own right. A supergroup supporting one of the greatest vocalists of all time.
This was Roy Orbison and Friends, Black And White Night. It aired in 1988. Every band member is a famous musician and the 3 background singers are too. Here is some info... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Orbison_and_Friends:_A_Black_and_White_Night
There are five backing singers...two male and three female...the male ones are Jackson Brown and Tom Waite
I was smiling and chuckling when you paused to rave about his vocals, thinking: "You ain't heard nothin' yet." Phenomenal stuff! Enjoyed your reaction to arguably the greatest American pop singer of his time, definitely brought a smile to my face..
The most stunning vibrato voice, even without formal training. They say he could've been an opera star.
I wish I could remember some more details of this . . . way back when the Traveling Wilburys were touring, I read a magazine interview (could have been in Classic Rock magazine, not sure) in which the journalist, on the tour bus, asked whether having so many singers in one band ever caused any friction. Orbison straight away replied, "No, I'm the singer, all these other are just vocal stylists!" - and none of them batted an eyelid in dispute.
This wasa live show. His guests, playing in the background, include Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne. Roy was the rock stars' rock star.
and, more
His falsetto gets way up in the stratosphere in several songs, with the hit song 'Crying" being the most notable.
Roy Orbison: lead vocals, guitar, harmonica
T Bone Burnett: acoustic guitar; musical director
TCB Band:
Glen D. Hardin: piano
James Burton: lead guitar
Jerry Scheff: upright bass
Ronnie Tutt: drums
Guest performers:
Bruce Springsteen: guitar, vocals
Elvis Costello: acoustic guitar, electric organ, harmonica
Tom Waits: electric organ, acoustic guitar
Michael Utley: keyboard
Alex Acuña: percussion
Ezra Klinger, Pavel Farkas, Concertmaster Christopher Reutinger, Carol Shive, Cynthia Morrow, Bobby Debow: violin
Jimbo Ross & Peter Hatch: viola
Guest Vocalists:
J. D. Souther: backing vocals; acoustic guitar; vocal arrangements
Steven Soles: backing vocals
Jackson Browne: backing vocals
Bonnie Raitt: backing vocals
k.d. lang: backing vocals
Jennifer Warnes: backing vocals
Roy Orbison's voice is so smooth!
Thank you for being open to great music ❤
He died at 52 in 1988. I grew up on him. I graduated in 1987. I miss him so much to this day. Thank God he's been recorded!
This was in 1987 when he was filming a concert for HBO just a year before his death. Roy’s voice was perfection his whole life. Amazing talent and lovely person.
It was 88 or 89 .. it was an HBO special i believe... i can tell you i cried the day Roy Orbison died 😔
😢
And that's why he was Elvis' favorite all-time singer!
This was a live performance from a concert called "Roy Orbison & Friends-A Black and White Night." It was filmed in 1987, one year before Roy's untimely death in 1988. He was 51 when this was performed. One of his masterpieces!
This video is from his comeback concert, Black & White Night 30 on September 30, 1987. He was 51 at the time. Artists who were inspired by Roy over the years performed on stage with him, including Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, k.d. Lang, and others.
Interesting fact..... Elvis was jeaolus of Roy, even dyed his dirty blonde hair black . Roy was not a pretty man but that voice was heaven. Roy left us too early, only 52 and yes, he would be considered legally blind in these days. We use to call those lenses Coke Bottles.
Elvis Presley was once asked who had the best singing voice, his reply was Roy Orbison.
Now that he's gone, NOBODY has a voice like that!
When Roy sang something it stayed sung.
In addition to Roy Orbison, one of the most iconic and recognizable voices of all time, in this "Black and White Night", were, among others, Bruce Springstein, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, k.d. lang, Jennifer Warnes, and Boonie Raitt. The whole video is magic. When they all sing Pretty Woman together, they're having such a great time. The video was filmed live in 1987 when Roy was 51.
After school we kids would gather at this 'little hole in the wall' restaurant that had a Juke Box to listen to music and socialize before going home. Every time someone played a Roy Orbison song the whole place got quiet, paying homage to one of the greatest voices ever. Thank you for reviving this amazing talent and bringing back some wonderful memories.
Elvis among many other people loved his voice and only wished that they could reach the highest level of his voice. There is no other ❤ more please 😊 you may not know but there are many famous musicians and singers in this special concert filmed in black and white. Classic 🎶🎵😎❤
This was a special filmed in 1987 and released in 1988 not long before he passed away called Roy Orbison and friends: A Black and White Night. Loaded with stars it was spearheaded by Bruce Springsteen. As for his dark glasses, in a book by his children to clear up myths about Roy there is a excerpt about how he left his glasses on a plane when arriving in the UK to tour with the Beatles. He could not see with out his prescription glasses so he put on his prescription sun glasses. Was photographed the whole tour with them on. And it became his trademark.
I saw him in concert. It was for a small audience. I was very close and it was wonderful. He was so soft spoken and shy. That all changed we he started. A fabulous night❣️
One of the best male vocalists of allllll time.
This version is from "Roy Orbison and Friends A Black and White Night" from 1988. Those joining him on stage were fellow musicians, who totally admired him. Off the top of my head, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Jackson Brown, Tom Waits, and a few others. Backup singers - Bonnie Raitt, k.d. lang, and Jennifer Warnes. That was the start of Roy's comeback and he later joined the Traveling Wilburys. Music is universal and understood by everyone. The performing artists respected and admired Roy Orbison and came together to share his music at a time when Roy wasn't performing. An absolute treasure for the next generation. In Dreams was featured in the movie Blue Velvet. Thanks for keeping it real.
I was trying to put your comments on here at the same time, so I'll just bow out to your effort since you have all ther right star''s names. This is epic...find it if you can!
Roy is a legend
Famous persons on Guitar at 3:06 Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello Amazing
beautiful voice,blue bayou is my fave
I love how the orchestra members are wearing sunglasses - what a tribute!
I've seen alot of people mention all of the people backing him; Springsteen, Costello, etc. I wanted to point out one more. The gentleman in white with the acoustic guitar next to the stand up bass, is the great James Burton. He was Ricky Nelson's guitar player pretty much from the start playing on about every hit he had. Elvis requested that Burton be his lead guitarist when he did his shows in Vegas, even helping put the TCB band together and a few from that band were also a part of this performance with Roy I believe. Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones gave the speech putting Burton in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. You put a Telecaster in his hands and he could play anything you wanted.
This is probably my favorite Roy Orbison song. I remember when it came out and I've loved it ever since. His career spanned from the late '50 on. He was known as the "Caruso" of rock. Enrique Caruso was a very famous opera singer from earlier decades.
His biggest hits were around 1960. The Beatles opened for him. It’s a shame he was in the middle of a major career resurgence when he died. This special (dated around 1986-87), his duets with kd lang and Emmylou Harris, his inclusion in The Traveling Wilburys, his work on his final album with Jeff Lynne. He was prime for a victory lap. This performance is amazing. His backup band is Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, kd lang, Bonnie Raitt, Jennifer Warnes, some Jordanares, T Bone Burnett. What’s cool about the evening is that they were truly a backup band. It wasn’t let me come on for my duet kind of thing. The spotlight remained squarely on Roy who has to be one of the humblest rock stars in history.
This was 25 years after the song first came out (this was 1988)
Such a beautiful voice and a beautiful and humble man.
A lot of Roy's songs had that "build" to them, where his vocals start low and gradually build up to those amazing high vocals. It always gives me goosebumps. By the way the REAL story about wearing his sunglasses, is this..... In 1963 when Roy was on tour with THE BEATLES, he left his thick eyeglasses on the plane (his regular clear glasses), so the only thing he could do was wear his prescription sunglasses on stage, he liked it better, PLUS he got a great reaction from the audience (I guess the fans thought it looked really cool) and from then on he always wore them on stage. It's true that a LOT of people thought he was blind, just very near sighted.
Best. Vocalist. Ever. There's no argument to it.
Roy himself said he " didn't have terrible eye sight,he was far sited." AS LONG as he wore his lens he was fine...He left his regular eye glasses on the plane, so he had to wear the darker ones..He even said " he didn't know how it would be because no one was wearing dark glasses back then...It went over very well so he always wore them as style n liked it better..God Bless this man as he has blessed us....
I saw Roy Orbison preform a few months before his untimely death. Still had the incredible pipes. Unbelievable voice
If u want to hear the most angelic voice u have ever heard, check out John Denver! Rocky Mountain High, Annie's song, This Old Guitar, Poems, prayers and promises, & Take me home, Country roads are just a few of my favorites by him!
This was a television special called Black and White. Look up all the artists who were playing and singing with him that night. This was a comeback for him after his initial fame in the early 60s. This was during the time of the creation of The Traveling Wilburys which was a super group that included Roy, George Harrison of the Beatles, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and more. He died not long after this newfound fame in the eighties. Roy's voice is incomparable, so beautiful, clear, strong and dreamy.
Don’t know if this was said before, but this is from an incredible late 80’s concert video called In Black and White. He played it with many other rock icons, from Bruce Springsteen to Elvis Costello to Jackson Browne and on and on. Roy not only brilliantly sang his hits but wrote them. He unfortunately passed not long after this concert. He was and remains an icon.
Rory Orbison emerged in the Rockabilly genre in the 1960s, along with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holley, etc. He was known for lilting voice and complex melodies. His popularity faded in the 1970s, but resurged in the 1980s until his death in 1988. At the time of his death he had joined the super group, The Traveling Wilburys, dying 6 weeks after the release of their first album. A subsequent single, "End of the Line" was released, where Orbison and the rest of the band had recorded their parts, including Orbison's solo on the third verse, but Bob Dylan had not been present. Dylan later recorded his part and in the video, Rory is depicted by a photo on a rocking chair.
This song was originally recorded in 1963. So this was 25 years after he first did it.
This had to be recorded in the 80's. Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen are on guitars and look young. Roy signed by Sun Records; his first hit was in 1956 with "Ooby Dooby"..
This is my absolute favorite Roy Orbison song. I heard his music since I was very young and all throughout my life as he was my dad's favorite. Beautiful and pure totally unique
He was past his vocal prime here. In his prime he could blow your hair back in the last row and he did. I saw him and he was so powerful we lost it with joy
No-one will ever do Pretty Woman like Roy Orbison did he was just brilliant one reason for the dark glasses was the glare of the stage lights
All of us old(er) people know about this we lived through it! If you didn't really have a good voice you couldn't make it, and if you didn't sound good live there was not much hope for you because concerts were the thing back in our day.
I loved your reaction to this one!
My first time hearing this song. It gets progressively more beautiful and I wish it would never end.
In Dreams
A candy-colored clown they call the sandman
Tiptoes to my room every night
Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper
Go to sleep, everything is alright
I close my eyes then I drift away
Into the magic night, I softly say
A silent prayer like dreamers do
Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you
In dreams I walk with you
In dreams I talk to you
In dreams you're mine all of the time
We're together in dreams, in dreams
But just before the dawn
I awake and find you gone
I can't help it
I can't help it
If I cry
I remember that you said goodbye
It's too bad that all these things
Can only happen in my dreams
Only in dreams
In beautiful dreams
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Roy K. Orbison
"Orbison later claimed that "In Dreams" came to him while he was sleeping, as many of his songs did. He often heard music while asleep, with a radio disc jockey announcing that it was Elvis Presley's new song. Orbison was half-awake when he imagined "In Dreams", and thought, " I need to finish that." It was first performed in February, 1963
In Dreams (Roy Orbison song) - Wikipedia
wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › In_Dreams_(Roy_Orbison)
There are great singers, then there's this guy!!!! Roy was something special
Truly one of my favourite songs of all time. A fantastic series of sections, none of which repeat. 16 in 1963, I met Mary at the Saturday night YMCA teen dance & fell in Love
I love how all the violinists are wearing sunglasses (like Roy). 😎
We totally lost one of the greats when he passed. I remember him from the 60’s singing Pretty Woman! He made a comeback with the Traveling Wilburys. 5 superstars in one band!
I was lucky enough to see him in concert in the 80s at the pier in NYC one summer night. Spectacular.
You need to watch Roy sing "Running Scared". Please notice the fact that he's performing in front of a live audience, so it has to be a "one take". Secondly, watch how he plays guitar while singing and NEVER strains to hit the high notes. You need to watch the full video of Black and White Night, all the talent is amazing!
This was a special 1 shot concert in 1987. Several stars performed backup with him. Was deliberately done in black and white, hence the name.
My very favorite Roy Orbison song. He was such an Iconic Singer in our generation. Thanks for doing this reaction.❤ Stay safe
Roy is silky smooth
If I recall correctly, he did 3 shows that weekend and they blended it together to make an unforgettable charity special.
This was the black and white night concert a live performance of many of his hits. A who’s who of other performers paying homage to Roy behind him and voicing their admiration including Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, K D Lang, J D Souther, Bonnie Raite, Elvis Costello etc
Roy Orbison, I Drove All Night.
One of his best IMO
please watch the entire concert... just perfect
From what I have read, Elvis Presley was once asked who he would NOT want to follow on stage. His immediate reply was Roy Orbison.
Did you notice the young Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen sitting in the background on rhythm guitars? 😊
Roy was an untrained Roughneck on the rigs in west Texas. Elvis once said that Roy was the greatest singing voice...ever. Bono of U2 recorded with him and said he couldn't understand how he stood next to him, and a voice came out of him that was beyond comprehension, and he barely moved his lips. In this band is Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, K. D. Lang and many more class A artists. This was his last great moment before the world lost a LEGEND. I cried...
I believe he had a 3+ octave range... Not too many performers can claim that talent. He was also known for his glass-shattering falsetto. Love his music.
Roy Orbison's Black & White Night - where he had almost every amazing musician on the stage because they loved and respected him so much. Bruce Springsteen was like, "I'll sit here on strum a guitar even if I'm the biggest rock star in the world." Then nine others like Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, KD Lang, so many more.
I was 15 years old and even though they couldn't afford it, my parents got me a record player and my first LP and it was Roy Orbison..this song was on it!!!
Great performance from an iconic performer. Roy was one of the best. This concert, recorded live in September 1987 at the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles, was special when you check out who the backing band & singers were... to name a few: Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, with KD Lang, Jennifer Warren and Bonnie Raitt on backing vocals. Outstanding! Great reaction BP! You are choosing great stuff.
LOL! The look on your face when you first saw him was exactly mine first time I saw him! That angel voice & his looks never jived for me.
This was a live show from 1988. When I watched the whole concert and started picking out the cast of musicians I was amazed. I spotted Springsteen, Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt and thought Wow!. Then I saw Elvis Costello and Tom Waits and knew it was something extra special.
I found this video from the show:
Roy Orbison & Friends (1988)
ua-cam.com/video/JCseJKNEZeE/v-deo.html
That entire live release (Black and White Night) is phenomenal!!
Roy was a star among stars. That powerful voice coming from that ordinary-looking man standing stock still, hardly even opening his mouth... There was nobody else like him and there still isn't.
KD Lang is the only person who does Roy Orbison justice when she covers his song.
U read my mind
YES!!!
Don McClean does a great version of Crying.
Then you've never heard me doing Running Scared at karaoke lol
Linda Ronstadt, Blue Bayou.
One of Roy's best, and one of my favorites.