History Maker
For his sixth birthday, Roy asked for a harmonica, but fortunately his daddy gave him a guitar. Orbie Lee is generally credited with teaching Roy to play guitar. However, he also learned from Charlie Orbison, Orbie Lee's brother, and Kenneth Schultz, brother of Nadine's. Together with Clois Russell, Orbie Lee's neighbor and workmate, they would often play and sing. The first song Roy ever played was the classic "You Are My Sunshine". He learned very quickly, so that way he could stay up late with the grown-ups and sing.
Roy entered and won a contest on KVWC in Vernon, TX. This led to his own radio show, in which he would sing the same songs every Saturday.
Roy records "Ooby Dooby," "Go Go Go" and "Trying To Get To You" for Sam Phillips at Sun Records in Memphis, TN.
Roy's Sun Records single "Ooby Dooby" peaks at #59 on the Billboard charts.
Roy appears on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" (show airs 7:30pm).
Roy's first public performance in the United Kingdom at the Westbury Hotel in Mayfair.
Roy's single "Oh, Pretty Woman" hits #1 on the US charts as well as charts around the world, and stays at the top for 3 weeks!
Roy takes his place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the ceremony at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Roy is inducted to the Nashville Songwriter's Hall Of Fame.
Roy is posthumously awarded the Grammy for Lifetime Achievement.
