Friday 6 December 2013

The Big O

It was on this day in 1988 that Roy Orbison died, at the early age of 52. I remember it well as I heard the news the next day, on my birthday. Much has been said and written about Orbison's beautiful, broken-hearted voice, which Elvis regarded as the greatest he had ever heard. Dwight Yoakam described it as being like 'the cry of an angel falling backward through an open window'. Well yes, it's all true...
I was interested to find a link to this, his last substantial interview - in which he talks of, among other things, his faith - on the invaluable Books Inq blog yesterday.
But here is Roy duetting with Emmylou Harris - two great voices for the price of one. Enjoy (or weep, or both)...

2 comments:

  1. Thanks Nige, having spent time with Emmylou, Roy Orbison must surely have gone on his way a happy man.

    As an afterthought, many of Roy Orbison's British appearances were on Top of the Pops, standing in front of the microphone, miming and looking slightly sinister, another of the BBC's iconic ideas ruining the experience.

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  2. Joey Joe Joe Jr.7 December 2013 at 19:23

    Thanks for the link Nige. And - as I think you posted this yesterday - many happy returns.

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