Roy Orbison

The Official Website of The Soul of Rock and Roll

The Legends of Sun Records Exhibit Now Open!

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“We are thrilled these cherished belongings of our father Roy Orbison can be part of Johnny Cash’s wonderful museum here in Nashville. The Cash’s are ‘family.’ Johnny and June Carter were godfather and godmother to each of us three Orbison boys and literally our next door neighbors in Hendersonville. What a beautiful and fitting home for these special pieces of Dad’s past!”
—Roy Jr., Wesley and Alex Orbison
READ MORE HERE

“Go!Go!Go! (Down the Line)” by Roy Orbison

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“GO! GO! GO! (Down the Line)” by Roy Orbison

Written by Roy Orbison and Billy Pat Ellis and first released as the B-Side to Sun Record #242, “Ooby Dooby,” this rockabilly classic was also recorded by Ricky Nelson, Mickey Gilley, The Hollies, and Roy’s fellow SUN Records alumni Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis!  The Killer (Jerry Lee Lewis) released the song as SUN record # 288.

The new exhibit at The Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville, TN opens August 15th and showcases Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and their SUN Studios peers Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, W.S. Holland. 

 

Johnny Cash Museum Exhibit to Open August 15

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The Latest News from The Johnny Cash Museum:

THE JOHNNY CASH MUSEUM PREPARES TO SHINE LIGHT ON SUN RECORDS ARTISTS
  *The Legends of Sun Records Exhibit Opens to Public on August 15th*
It’s the dawn of a new exhibition at The Johnny Cash Museum with the unveiling of The Legends of Sun Records collection on August 15th.  This exhibit marks the first addition to the world renowned Johnny Cash Museum and is sure to be the first of many for the JCM.  The Legends of Sun Records exhibit will feature artifacts that spotlight Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and drummer W.S. Holland.
“Johnny Cash began his musical career at Sun Records,” says Founder Bill Miller. “Sun was the launch pad for several young men whose music would forever impact the world. Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Johnny came from similar backgrounds and humble beginnings. Once they walked through the door at the Memphis Recording Service, their lives would never be the same. We are proud to showcase Johnny’s labelmates from this historic period in rock and roll history.”   
 
The founders of the museum aren’t the only ones both excited and honored to be a part of the exhibit.  

Read what Alex Orbison, Priscilla Presley and others have to say about the exhibit HERE! 

Legendary Guitarist Velma Smith Passes

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Pioneering female guitarist, Velma Smith, passed away on Thursday.

Smith was one of the very first female session musicians and left her stamp on a long, long list of albums from artists like Willie Nelson, Don Gibson, Waylon Jennings, and Roy Orbison.

This photo was taken when Velma Smith was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in January 2014.  Museum founder, Joe Chambers, gives Smith her medallion with an audience that includes (Late Show bassist) Will Lee, Neil Young, and Alex Orbison to name a few.  Roy Orbison was awarded the inaugural Iconic Riff Award for “Oh, Pretty Woman” that same night.

Click here to read more about Velma Smith and her legacy!