From the Archive: RT's Tribute to Roy Orbison from 1988
The below is RT's tribute to Roy Orbison, which was published in 1988 when he was celebrated on Top of the Pops. Revisit it before Roy Orbison Night on BBC4…!!!
TRIBUTE TO "THE BIG O"
Roy Orbison (1936-88), who died of a heart attack on 6 December, was a Top of the Pops veteran, and Radio 2 pays tribute on Thursday (7.00pm). He started as a Memphis rockabilly, but the big time began in 1960 when he hit upon a melodramatic style tailored to his huge vocal range; Only the Lonely launched a decade of success. The archetypal Orbison song started modestly and spiralled higher and higher. Remarkably, while performing these throat-busting ballads live, he remained motionless and seemingly emotionless.
It’s ironic that, over the last couple of years, a new record deal and collaborations with fans like Springsteen and Dylan put his career back in good shape, and proved his uncanny voice was still intact. JOHN COLLIS
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