Roy Orbison

The author has written quite a few books on rock stars. However, given the operatic tone of Roy Orbison’s voice and the dramatic incidents of his life, one would have hoped for a more compelling and emotional retelling of his life story. After all, Orbison’s young beloved wife was riding motorcycles with him when hers was run over by a truck. A year later, two of their children died in a house fire. The same land was the site of Barry Gibb’s house, which also burned down. These incidents are surely dramatic enough for an emotional story. Orbison’s catalog of songs is amazing. The author tells us that Orbison worked constantly. Apparently, he was a low-key, amiable gentleman in the world of rock, beloved by most of his peers and other musicians.

Both his first wife, Claudette, and his second wife assisted him greatly in his music business. It would have been interesting to learn more personal information about them and their children. However, this leaves room for a more emotional retelling of a great rock figure.