does roy orbison have the greatest voice of all time

2 spot on the Billboard singles chart, 'Only the Lonely' has since been deemed a pivotal force in the development of rock music.Īs distinctive as his three-octave voice and unorthodox songwriting technique was Orbison's unglamorous style, which some have described as 'geek chic.' Stricken with both jaundice and bad eyesight as a child, Orbison had sallow skin and thick corrective eyewear, not to mention a shy demeanor. Deciding to record the song himself, Orbison used his vibrato voice and operatic style to create a recording unlike anything Americans had heard at the time. His big break came after he tried to pitch his composition 'Only the Lonely' to both Presley and the Everly Brothers, and was turned down by both. Songs: 'Oh, Pretty Woman,' 'It's Over' and 'Crying'Īfter Orbison landed a record deal with the Nashville-based label Monument in 1960, he began perfecting the sound that would define his career.

In addition to a highly collectible album called Roy Orbison at the Rockhouse, their collaboration yielded a re-recording of 'Ooby Dooby' that became Orbison's first minor hit. When their song 'Ooby Dooby' came to the attention of Sam Phillips, the legendary producer at Sun Records, Orbison was invited to cut a few tracks. In high school, Orbison played the local circuit with a group called the Teen Kings.

Does roy orbison have the greatest voice of all time