The Official Website of The Soul of Rock and Roll
This week in 1985 Roy Orbison and The Class of 55- Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, & Jerry Lee Lewis- hit the studio to begin recording their self-titled album. This is the other supergroup Roy Orbison was in. Kind of like the Traveling Wilburys, they each had a spotlight song and sang together in various combinations.
Here’s “ROCK AND ROLL” by The Class of 55-
Roy Orbison was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987!
Fellow musician, longtime admirer, and friend Bruce Springsteen gave the induction speech.
“Now everybody knows that nobody sings like Roy Orbison.” –
Congratulations Ringo Starr!
The former Beatle and lifelong friend of Roy Orbison and his family is to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2015! He was inducted as a Beatle in 1988.
John Fogerty & Bruce Springsteen performing Roy Orbison’s “OH, PRETTY WOMAN”
From the 25th Anniversary Concert at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2009-
#OPW50
This ad of a 1950’s Memphis disc jockey is for the June 1st concert at Overton Park Shell featuring Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Warren Smith. All were signed to manager Bob Neal’s company called Stars Incorporated. Tickets were $1.
The show was the start of their summer tour and Elvis Presley came to the see. Elvis was impressed with Orbison and remained a lifelong fan. The tour is highlighted in the Johnny Cash movie “Walk The Line” in scenes such as Roy and Johnny blowing up homemade firework bombs. Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison had their clothes ripped off by masses of teenage girls many times. They were banned from towns, started riots, and had police escort them to the county line or face arrest. Next Year’s tour, 1957, included Jerry Lee Lewis in the lineup. Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll!
The new exhibit opening this Friday, August 15th at The Johnny Cash Museum features items from Orbison, Presley, Perkins, and Lewis.