By the middle of 1965, Roy Orbison had already sold over 15 million records to fans across the globe. He did not need a loud band or a wild dance to get people to listen to him. Most people recognize him as the mysterious man in dark glasses.
But a very rare moment caught him with his eyes wide open. He sat down to talk about his life and revealed that he was actually a humble guy who just loved to sing.
Roy Orbison Interview 1965 [Reelin’ In The Years Archive]
This hero did not feel the need to compete with the new rock stars of his day. He looked at groups like The Beatles as friends rather than enemies because he knew his own sound was special.
One person who watched this talk said they had never seen him without his shades before. Another viewer felt that the questions he was asked were a bit silly, but Roy remained a total gentleman the entire time.
Roy Orbison – Crying (Monument Concert 1965)
While that talk showed us the man behind the music, seeing him actually perform is what truly takes your breath away. He could take a sad story and turn it into a beautiful masterpiece that stayed in your head for days.
The music around him is big and dramatic, which matches the feelings in the song perfectly. Fans who see this performance often say they can feel every bit of the story he is telling. It is a moment of pure strength and beauty that shows exactly why he was voted the best singer in the world.
Roy Orbison was a gift to the world of music because he was always honest with his audience. He did not try to be anyone else, and he stayed true to his Texas roots until the very end.
Follow Roy Orbison on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. He was a true gentleman of rock and roll who showed us that being quiet is sometimes the loudest way to be heard.