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Check out the brand new Roy Orbison lyric video for “YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE”
Orbison’s stirring rendition of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic is one of the songs from the brand new Roy Orbison album, One of the Lonely Ones. Skipped in the release schedule during the #MGMYears due to Roy’s personal tragedies and already hectic calendar, this gem of an album is now available world wide!
To say that Roy Orbison‘s “OH, PRETTY WOMAN” is influential is an understatement, but did you know it broke legal ground as well?
In 1994 a suit between 2 Live Crew and Acuff-Rose Music publishing set the precedent for much of what we know as ‘parody’ copyright law today –
#OPW50
50 years ago today, August 1, 1964, Roy Orbison’s smash hit “OH, PRETTY WOMAN” was recorded!
Released as Monument Single #851, it was a massive hit, breaking all previous sales & radio play records worldwide. The song was initially controversial, viewed as too sexual for public radio. The opening guitar riff was thought to be lascivious, the drums too aggressive. Censors especially didn’t like the line “come with me baby” and Roy had to change it for the Ed Sullivan show and other television appearances like musicians (Rolling Stones, The Doors) would have to change their lyrics for TV in the future.
Still considered by many to be the top Rock and Roll song of all time, it directly influenced many great rock riffs like The Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction” and The Beatles’ “Daytripper,” both from 1965. It introduced the rock guitar riff used as a compositional element in song structure.
Here’s a photo of the song’s writers- Roy Orbison & Bill Dees- accepting an award for over 1 million sales in Canada! Mercy!!!!
Stay tuned in the coming weeks for our celebration of all things “OH, PRETTY WOMAN!”
Aquarian Weekly covers Roy Orbison’s Mystery Girl Deluxe in their mid-year 2014 Top 10 Considerations-
Have you seen the latest Roy Orbison signature sunglasses?
This updated version keeps the classic wayfarer styling, but features a 1980s era signature printed on each arm. Now available in black and tortoise!
Check them out in The Official Roy Orbison Store
