Life of Roy Orbison Trivia Quiz

Answer: Vernon, Texas

Roy Orbison was born on April 23, 1936, in the west Texas oilfield town of Vernon. His father, Orbie Lee, worked on the oil rigs, and his mother, Nadine Orbison, was a nurse. Following his father's job in the oilfields, the Orbison family moved to Wink, another west Texas oil boom town, in 1946. Roy was then in the 4th grade, and he lived in Wink until he left to attend North Texas State University in Denton.

Answer: Roy took ballet lessons for several years.

Roy's father was a big music fan and gave Roy his first guitar when he was six. Mr. Orbison thought music was a fine hobby, but he wanted Roy to become a geologist. When Roy started high school in Wink, he formed his first band, the Wink Westerners, which performed on radio and local television shows across West Texas. I imagine Roy's first guitar was a far cry from the cutommade Gretsch White Falcon he played later.

Answer: False

Roy finished high school in Wink, Texas and attended The North Texas State University at Denton for two years intending to major in geology. He dropped out to devote his time to music. In 1956, Roy had formed a group called The Teen Kings, which played on local radio and television shows.

His first recording, "Ooby Dooby," was written by fellow North Texas State students Wade Moore and Dick Penner. He recorded the song in Clovis, New Mexico, at the Norman Petty Studio. A year later, fellow Texan and Lubbock native, Buddy Holly, would get his start at Norman Petty's. "Ooby Dooby" came out on the small, little known Je-Wel label.

It was bought by Sun Records and sold around 250,000 copies at its rerelease. While still a student at North Texas State University, Roy had backed up Pat Boone on a song called "Two Hearts".

Answer: Moved to Nashville and became a songwriter

Roy moved to Nashville and became a staff writer for Acuff-Rose Music. He used his profits from "Claudette", the song named for his wife, that he wrote for the Everly Brothers, to buyout his contract with Sun.

Answer: Claudette

Roy wrote the Everly Brothers' hit "Claudette", which was named after his wife. The Everly Brothers, Phil and Don, had many hits from 1957 until the early 1960's. Their trademark was their beautiful, harmonizing vocals. Unlike Roy Orbison, Phil and Don's career (like that of so many early roll and roll artists) flattened out with the British Invasion led by the Beatles.

Answer: Only The Lonely

After "Only The Lonely" was turned down by Colonel Parker for Elvis, and by the Everly Brothers, Roy recorded the song himself. "Only The Lonely" became a smash hit. It topped the UK charts and narrowly missed the US top spot.

Answer: Roy

Roy received top billing when he toured the UK with the Beatles in 1963. He enjoyed great success in the UK and always said he felt at home there. He remained hugely popular in the UK until well into the 1970's. When the Beatles debuted on BBC Radio on Mar. 7, 1962, one of the three songs they sung was Roy's "Dream Baby".

Answer: Two

Roy and Claudette were married in 1957. He was married to Barbara, his second wife, from 1969 until his death in 1988.

Answer: His wife was killed in a motorcycle accident.

According to Roy Orbison's official website (www.RoyOrbison.com), which is maintained by his widow, Barbara Orbison, "his private life was marred when-in the midst of reconciliation with his ex-wife Claudette, she was killed in a motorcyle accident. Two years later in 1968 two of Roy's sons were killed in a housefire."

Answer: The Fastest Guitar Alive

Roy played Johnny Banner, a singing cowboy, in 1967's "The Fastest Guitar Alive" which was also released as "The Fastest Guitar in the West". He did play himself in "Roadie" (1980) and appeared in an uncredited cameo in "She's Having A Baby" (1988).

Answer: True

Roy could hit E above high C which is the peak that opera great Caruso was famous for. This etheral climb of voice became Roy's trademark and first appeared on 1961's "Running Scared", his first number one hit.

Answer: That Lovin' You Feelin' Again

The song was featured in the movie "Roadie" (1980). Roy remade "Crying" in 1987 with K D. Lang.

Answer: 1987

Roy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Jan. 21, 1987. He was introduced by Bruce Springsteen.

Answer: Bruce Springsteen

The supergroup, the Travelling Wilburys, was formed by accident. It seems that George Harrison had recruited Jeff Lynne to help produce his new solo album. The story goes that the only place they could find to practice on with such short notice was Bob Dylan's garage. Over the next few days, old friends Roy Orbison and Tom Petty dropped by and joined in.

The resulting album was very succesful, but Roy died only about a month after it was released.

Answer: True

"Mystery Girl" had been recorded and was awaiting release when Roy died of a massive heartattack on Dec. 6, 1988. He had undergone major heart surgery in the late 1970's. Roy Orbison had one of the finest voicest ever heard in Rock. His hauntingly beautiful vocals were perfect for the ballads he sang. Thank you for taking my Roy Orbison quiz.