Back to :  Westwood Memorial Park  -  Celebrity Graves  -  Rock N Roll Heaven

" Final Resting Place of Roy Orbison"

Roy Orbison   
23rd.April 1936 - 6th.November.1988.
Born Vernon, Texas.
Singer/songwriter 
Formed his first group, The Wink Westerners, at the age of 13 . Appeared in many local talent shows whilst at college and with encouragement from college friend Pat Boone made a recording. First recording was "Ooby Dooby" in 1955 which was
recorded at Norman Petty's studio in New Mexico. The studio that was to enjoy major success with Buddy Holly & The Crickets. Moved on to Sun Studios, Memphis in 1956 where he re-recorded "Ooby Dooby" which then proved a minor hit. 
Although Sun Records and Sam Phillips had at that time produced hit records for artists such as Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy just could not make it there. Wrote the Everly Brothers hit "Claudette", a song he wrote about his wife. Moved to Nashville and signed for RCA but again failure until he signed for Monument Records in 1959 and his teaming up with producer Fred Foster. Although his first releases again proved unsuccessful he found the successful formula in 1960 with "Only the Lonely". The record became a smash hit all over the world turning Roy Orbison into a major star. His high tenor voice, motionless stage presence and black outfits proved a dramatic mix to audiences whilst he delivered those sad rock ballads. Roy continued to have major hits for the next few years until the arrival of "The Beatles" and a new generation of 
group sounds. Suffered personal tragedy in the 60's with the death of his wife Claudette (1966) and the deaths of his 2 young sons in a house fire (1968). Recorded throughout the 70's and 80's without much success but carried out a relentless touring
schedule which by the mid 80's had brought Roy's music to a new generation. His music was further highlighted in the film "Blue Velvet" and the release of the album "In Dreams" a collection of re-recordings of his hits. Joined forces with Jeff Lynne,
George Harrison, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan to form "The Travelling Wilburys" in 1987. Died in 1988 of a heart attack and had his first hit single for 23 years with the posthumous release of "You Got It". With his death came a new interest in Roy's music from a new generation fuelled, by the hit film "Pretty Woman", which featured his hit single in the film soundtrack. Roy won a Grammy Award "Best Male Vocal Performance" for the "Pretty Woman" soundtrack single. The hit show "Only the Lonely" the story of Roy Orbison tragic life and his music, together with the release of  CD's of Roy's songs have ensured that Roy & his music still live on today. Roy Orbison the man in Black with the black sunglasses is generally felt to have possessed one of pop's finest voices.

Located in the lawned center section it is still unmarked, but can be found to the left of Sammy Cahn
between two trees. The markers either side of Roy read Frank Wright Tuttle and Grandma Monroe
Westwood Memorial Park, Westwood, Los Angeles
His grave is plot 97. Cause of Death - Heart Attack.

Hit singles:- "Only the Lonely" 1960 - "Blue Angel" 1960 - "Running Scared" 1961 - "Crying" 1961 - "Dream Baby" -1962
"In Dreams" 1963 - "Falling" 1963 - "Blue Bayou" 1963 - "Mean Woman Blues" 1963 - "It's Over" 1964 -
"Pretty Woman" 1964 - "Goodnight" 1965 - "Crawling Back" 1965 - "Lana" 1966 - "Too Soon to Know" -
"There Won't Be Many Coming Home" 1966 - "You Got It" 1989.

Albums:- "Greatest Hits" 1972 - "All Time Greatest Hits" 1973 - "The Big O" 1975 - "At The Rockhouse" 1980
"Golden Days" 1981 - "Big O Country" 1983 - "The Roy Orbison Collection" 1986 - "In Dreams" 1987 -
"Roy Orbison and Sonny James" 1987 - "Go Go Go" -1987 - "The Other Side" 1987 - "Mystery Girl" 1988
"The Singles Collection" 1989.