Roy Orbison, the legendary American singer-songwriter, left an indelible mark on the music industry
with his powerful voice, emotional ballads, and unique style.
Known for his hauntingly beautiful songs like "Oh, Pretty Woman" and "Crying," Orbison's
impact resonates to this day.
Beyond his own artistic accomplishments, the legacy of Roy Orbison extends to his sons,
Alex, Wesley, and Roy Kelton Orbison Jr., who have followed in their father's footsteps
as musicians.
Alongside his musical legacy, Orbison's enigmatic persona was often enhanced by his trademark
dark glasses, which added an air of mystery and allure to his image.
In this video, we’ll take a look at the reason behind those glasses, as well as some
interesting facts about his sons and their connection to his music.
And we’ll look at some career highlights of this incredible singer.
So stick around, as Facts Verse presents: Roy Orbison's Son Confirms the Reason Behind
His Dark Glasses
Roy’s tragedies Throughout his life, Roy Orbison faced his
fair share of tragedies that deeply impacted him both personally and professionally.
One of the most significant tragedies occurred in 1966 when Orbison's beloved wife, Claudette,
passed away in a car accident.
Roy was in the crash but survived.
This devastating loss left him shattered and profoundly affected his songwriting and overall
outlook on life.
Just two years later, in 1968, tragedy struck again as Orbison's home in Tennessee burned
down, resulting in the loss of two of his young sons, Roy DeWayne and Anthony King.
The unimaginable pain of losing his wife and two sons within such a short span of time
was an immense burden for Orbison to bear.
These tragedies had a profound impact on Orbison's career as well.
Following the loss of his family members, his creativity waned, and he faced a decline
in his musical success.
However, Orbison's resilience shone through, and he continued to persevere.
In the 80s, he experienced a resurgence in popularity with the critically acclaimed album
"Mystery Girl," which included the hit single "You Got It."
This success brought him a newfound appreciation and recognition as one of the greatest voices
in rock and roll.
In an interview with Closer Magazine, one of Roy’s surviving sons spoke about Roy’s
stoic nature.
Roy Jr. said that despite the immense tragedies he went through, he kept a stiff upper lip.
Roy Jr even said that his dad, “would’ve said he did not suffer more tragedy than other
people.”
Despite the immense personal and professional challenges he faced, Orbison's talent and
resilience endured.
His ability to express deep emotions through his music resonated with audiences worldwide.
Roy Orbison's tragic life experiences added a profound depth and authenticity to his performances,
making his music even more poignant and relatable.
His legacy serves as a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable sorrow, the power
of music can heal and connect people in extraordinary ways.
Roy’s Sons Duet With Him Roy’s sons, Wesley, Roy Jr., and Alex Orbison,
sought a unique way to honor their father's musical legacy.
They turned to technology to create a posthumous duet with him, showcasing the power of modern
innovation and the emotional connection between generations.
For the reissue of Orbison’s album, “Mystery Girl” which came out in 2014, (and was a
25th-anniversary reissue) they were able to craft a duet of sorts with their dad.
They had found an old recording of him doing just the vocals for the song “The Way Is
Love”.
It was recorded on a boombox by Orbison and had deteriorated in sound quality over the
years.
But using advanced recording techniques and restoration software, they were able to get
it sounding better.
Then they carefully blended their own voices with their father's to create a heartfelt
collaboration.
The result was a remarkable duet that bridged the gap between past and present, allowing
the sons to harmonize with their father in a way that would have otherwise been impossible.
And the instrumentation of the new track was helped by the son of a fellow music icon,
Johnny Cash.
His son John Carter Cash was one of the producers of the song, and helped by adding his own
talents on various instruments.
This groundbreaking approach not only paid homage to Roy Orbison's incredible talent
but also highlighted the enduring impact of his music and the deep bond shared between
a father and his sons.
The use of technology in this way showcases the transformative nature of music and how
it can transcend time, bringing generations together in a beautiful and emotional musical
experience.
Did His Diet Kill Him?
There has been speculation and a popular theory that Roy Orbison's fluctuating weight and
yo-yo dieting may have contributed to his untimely death.
While it is true that Orbison struggled with weight issues throughout his life, it is important
to note that his cause of death was officially attributed to a heart attack.
In 2018, a pathologist named Michael Hunter contributed to a show called “Autopsy: The
Last Hours of…” which talks about the final stages of the lives of famous people
whose lives were cut short.
In his interview, he hypothesized that Orbison’s tendency to have substantial weight gain,
followed by extreme dieting played a part in Orbison’s death.
He argued that kind of dieting “would have undoubtedly placed tremendous strain on his
heart.”
Roy Orbison had a history of health problems, including high blood pressure and heart disease,
which are known risk factors for heart-related issues.
It is believed that these pre-existing conditions, combined with his intense touring schedule
and the stress associated with his demanding career, may have contributed to his heart
attack.
While yo-yo dieting can have negative effects on one's health, including metabolic changes
and potential strain on the cardiovascular system, it is difficult to establish a direct
causal relationship between Orbison's weight fluctuations and his fatal heart attack.
It is worth noting that many factors can contribute to heart disease and heart attacks, including
genetics, lifestyle choices, and overall health management.
Career Highlights Roy Orbison's career was marked by numerous
highlights, showcasing his exceptional talent, unique vocal range, and enduring impact on
the music industry.
From his early breakthroughs to his remarkable comebacks, Orbison's journey was one of highs
and lows, solidifying his status as a true legend.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Orbison rose to prominence with a string of chart-topping
hits.
Songs like "Only the Lonely," "Crying," and "Running Scared" showcased his soaring, operatic
voice and emotional depth, earning him a dedicated fan base.
His distinctive sound, characterized by his effortless ability to transition between his
powerful falsetto and rich baritone, set him apart from his contemporaries.
During the 1960s, Orbison's career experienced a temporary decline, but he resurged in the
1980s with the release of his album "Mystery Girl."
The album featured the iconic single "You Got It," which became a chart-topping success
and reignited public interest in Orbison's music.
This resurgence was further solidified with the induction of Orbison into the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
One of the most memorable moments in Orbison's career came with the formation of the supergroup
Traveling Wilburys in the late 1980s.
Alongside fellow legends Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne, Orbison
contributed his unique voice and songwriting skills to the group's critically acclaimed
albums.
The collaboration showcased Orbison's ability to effortlessly blend his talent with other
musical powerhouses, resulting in timeless hits like "Handle with Care."
Roy Orbison's legacy extends beyond his chart success.
He was revered by his peers and continues to influence generations of musicians.
His songs have been covered by numerous artists, and his impact can be heard in the works of
notable performers such as Bruce Springsteen, Chris Isaak, and Bono.
The truth about Roy’s dark glasses Roy was most often seen wearing dark glasses,
which became an iconic part of his image.
There are several reasons behind his choice to don these shades, both practical and personal.
It was often assumed that Orbison was secretly blind, or even that he was an albino.
But neither was true.
Orbison did have very poor vision, and he was prescribed thick lenses as a child.
He had several eye issues, including astigmatism, strabismus, and hyperopia.
So even as he became an adult and a famous musician, he’d been wearing glasses his
entire life.
However, the sunglasses look came about by happenstance.
His sons put out a book entitled, The Authorized Roy Orbison.
In it, they told the story of how Roy ended up wearing his trademark glasses.
He was touring in England at the time, and brought with him his normal glasses, as well
as some prescription sunglasses for general outdoor use.
However, he accidentally left his regular glasses on a plane in the U.S., right before
he was slated to leave for the tour in the UK.
And since there wasn’t time to get another pair, he had to fly across the pond with only
his sunglasses.
He then arrived in England, and the press took photos of him as he left the plane.
It was assumed that he wore the sunglasses to look cool, so that was the image that stuck.
Of course, beyond the practical reasons, Orbison's decision to wear dark glasses also carried
a certain mystique and stage presence.
The shades added an enigmatic quality to his persona, creating an air of intrigue and coolness.
They became a signature trademark, contributing to his unique image as a rock and roll icon.
Moreover, Orbison's personal insecurities played a role in his choice to wear the glasses.
Early in his career, he felt self-conscious about his looks and believed that his eyes
appeared small.
Wearing dark glasses allowed him to maintain a level of privacy and hide his perceived
imperfections, giving him a sense of confidence and empowerment on stage.
According to his sons, he also had dyed his hair jet black since he was quite young.
The combination of practicality, mystique, and personal insecurities all contributed
to Roy Orbison's decision to wear dark glasses.
They became an integral part of his identity as an artist, and their presence further elevated
the legend and allure surrounding him.
Now it’s time to hear from you.
Were you surprised to hear the story of the real reason why Roy Orbison wore those dark
glasses?
Let us know in the comments section below!