NOW OPEN: The Legends of SUN RECORDS at The Johnny Cash Museum
The new exhibit in Nashville, TN features treasures from Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roy Orbison.
Roy Orbison: 1956 Radio Advertisement for Sun Records Concert
Roy Orbison: 1956 Radio Advertisement for Sun Records Concert
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.
“Blue Bayou” performed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Congratulations to new Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Linda Ronstadt!
Carrie Underwood, Emmylou Harris, and Bonnie Raitt performed the Roy Orbison song that was also a huge hit for Linda Ronstadt, “BLUE BAYOU,” to honor her at the 29th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
The Orbison ties run deep with these ladies. Bonnie Raitt performed with an all star lineup for Roy Orbison & Friends: A Black & White Night. Emmylou Harris and Roy Orbison share a Grammy for their song “That Loving You Feeling Again.” Carrie Underwood sang another Orbison smash-hit, “Crying,” in her American Idol days.
Here’s “BLUE BAYOU” performed live –
THE ORIGINAL “PRETTY PAPER” BY ROY ORBISON, 1963. CHRISTMAS MUSIC
This is the original “PRETTY PAPER” by Roy Orbison in 1963!
Orbison was the first to record it and reached #6 in the UK (released in 1964 because “BLUE BAYOU” was still high on the charts in Europe) and #15 on the USA Pop charts in 1963 with this now classic Christmas song.
It was written by Willie Nelson who was happy to get his second big songwriting credit (and paycheck) when Roy recorded “Pretty Paper”. ( Willie still had short hair so that will tell you how far back it was. Way, way back in Willie’s career. He didn’t “smoke” either. He drank at that time. )
This version should sound very “Christmas-y” to you. The background vocals sound like they could fit an old Jimmy Stewart movie soundtrack. We Love It!