1936-1946

Roy Kelton Orbison was born on April 23, 1936 at 3:30 pm, in Vernon, Texas. Nadine, his mother, was a nurse. Orbie Lee, his father, a worker. Roy was their second child. 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.

Comments for this Biography

Re: 1936-1946

2011-06-20 05:53 — ssstrand

Regrettably, Roy's wonderful brother Sam passed away last year on September 8, 2010. I had the pleasure of meeting him and visiting with him often on the telephone. He was truly a very admirable and caring person in the most amazingly wonderful way and is deeply missed.

Like all of Roys fans I truly value Wesley communicating and connecting with the world. I believe his talent in singing and song writing is greatly admired by those of us who connected to Roys songs, respectively.

I am truly honored and feel very blessed to be in touch with Wesley, via Facebook, and to have known Sammy Keith Orbison.

Gods Peace,
Sharon Strand

Re: 1936-1946

2011-06-10 22:17 — triscuit2006

I lived in Wink,Texas and knew Roy. Roy was about 6 or 7 yrs older than me. I ran around with his brother ( Sammy ) when they live in Wink. I was at a reunion in 1990,s and meant one of his sons and his wife. When I was in the USAF I followed Roy at all times. I was truly sad when I hard the news that he had oassed away. I still am a very big FAN of him. I remember the first names of his band. Their names were Charles and Billy Pat. I would like to hear from some of his fans.

Re: 1936-1946

2010-10-31 16:27 — Gary O

EVERGREEN, from the "Greatest Hits" LP, is the most beautiful, hauntingly romantic ballad I've ever heard, as well as Roy at his vocal finest! It still makes me dreamy today! As for all his other great tunes: YES! THAT TEXAS BOY COULD ROCK!!!

Re: 1936-1946

2010-10-31 00:27 — Gary O

My very first musical icons were Del Shannon & Roy Orbison, they've stayed that way over 50 years. I still have some of the original 45s I bought new in the late 50s & early 60s, of both those great guys! A couple sayings I've used to descibe them: Del Shannon's music cut through you like a knife, Roy Orbison's music hit you on the head like a club! Another: Forget Sinatra, Forget Johnny Mathis, all those ao-called "crooners" - if a guy couldn't "get laid" to Roy Orbison, something was wrong with you!!

Re: 1936-1946

2010-04-20 14:28 — adminn
WE LOVE ROY ORBISON!