Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison was an American singer-songwriter known for his distinctive operatic voice and emotionally intense ballads.
His 1960s hits—"Oh, Pretty Woman," "Crying," "Only the Lonely"—featured dramatic vocal climbs and themes of heartache.
Unlike contemporaries who moved onstage, Orbison stood still in dark sunglasses, letting his three-octave voice carry the performance.
Tinted eye protection
- dark glassesTinted protective eyewear
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
- shyReserved and retiring
- stoicUncomplaining endurer of hardship
enigmatic · stage presence · trademark · reclusive · reserved · dignified · somber
Essential meaning or import
- vibratoOscillating pitch effect
- falsettoArtificially elevated singing register
- operaticOf staged musical drama
- rangeExtent of variation
soaring · powerful · emotional · distinctive · crystal · pure · tremolo · crescendo
Rhythm-heavy fifties pop
- Sun RecordsPioneering Memphis recording studio
- MemphisTennessee city, ancient Egyptian capital
- 1950sDecade after WWII
- guitarFretted stringed instrument
upbeat · Johnny Cash · Jerry Lee Lewis · Elvis · Texas
Subdued, lasting sadness
- heartacheDeep emotional distress
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- lamentMournful expression of grief
- sentimentalExcessively emotional about memories
poignant · wistful · sorrowful · tender · emotion · love · loneliness · heartbreak
Pictorial screen symbol
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- hall of fameInstitution honoring the best
- influencePower to affect others
timeless · classic · trailblazer · innovator · virtuoso · immortal · Traveling Wilburys · Sun Records
sunglasses
Tinted eye protection
- dark glassesTinted protective eyewear
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
- shyReserved and retiring
stoic · enigmatic · stage presence · trademark · reclusive · reserved · dignified · somber
tenor
Essential meaning or import
- vibratoOscillating pitch effect
- falsettoArtificially elevated singing register
- operaticOf staged musical drama
range · soaring · powerful · emotional · distinctive · crystal · pure · tremolo · crescendo · dramatic
rock and roll
Rhythm-heavy fifties pop
- Sun RecordsPioneering Memphis recording studio
- MemphisTennessee city, ancient Egyptian capital
- 1950sDecade after WWII
guitar · upbeat · Johnny Cash · Jerry Lee Lewis · Elvis · Texas
melancholy
Subdued, lasting sadness
sentimental · poignant · wistful · sorrowful · tender · emotion · love · loneliness · heartbreak · torch song
icon
Pictorial screen symbol
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- hall of fameInstitution honoring the best
influence · timeless · classic · trailblazer · innovator · virtuoso · immortal · Traveling Wilburys · Sun Records · posthumous
chart-topping
Ranking first in sales
- number oneFirst in rank
- oldiesElvis, golden oldies, Hound Dog, oldies, Johnny B. Goode
- Texas MusicWillie Nelson, Buddy Holly, Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Strait, Selena
- Rock StarsMick Jagger, Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain
- Memphis MusicMemphis, Beale Street, Sun Records, Sun Studio, Graceland
- Multi-InstrumentalistsStevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Trent Reznor, Beck, Phil Collins
- Orchestral Popstring arrangements, baroque pop, orchestration, string section, horn section
Roy OrbisonLittle Richard
Fifties rock originator
Jerry Lee Lewis · James Brown · Mick Jagger · Iggy Pop · Johnny Rotten
Roy OrbisonJames Brown
Hardest working singer
Mick Jagger · Freddie Mercury · Little Richard · Iggy Pop · Elvis Presley
Roy OrbisonThe Ramones
Iggy Pop · Black Sabbath · AC/DC · James Brown · Chuck Berry