Roy Orbison

USA, 1956–1988

American singer (1936-1988) with an unusually wide range, known for slow, through-composed songs such as 'Only the Lonely', 'Crying' and 'Oh, Pretty Woman'. He later recorded with the Traveling Wilburys.

MusicRoots documents 1 artist who influenced Roy Orbison and 4 artists Roy Orbison influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Roy Orbison?

• Hank Williams — Orbison grew up singing Hank Williams — the country foundation beneath the operatic rock balladry.

Which artists did Roy Orbison influence?

• Neil Young — Young has repeatedly named Orbison a defining influence — 'Expecting to Fly' and his falsetto balladry chase Orbison's operatic melancholy.
• Bruce Springsteen — Born to Run chased a sound Springsteen described exactly: 'I wanted to sing like Roy Orbison' — he later inducted Orbison into the Hall of Fame.
• The Beatles — 'Please Please Me' was written as a Roy Orbison-style song by Lennon's own account — the Beatles toured under Orbison in 1963 and studied him nightly.
• Buffalo Springfield — Named in the dedication list on the back of Buffalo Springfield Again (1967).