Wink in Winkler County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Roy Orbison
(April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988)
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 25, 2012
1. Roy Orbison Marker
Inscription.
Roy Orbison. (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988). Roy Kelton Orbison was one of America's most famed rock and roll musicians. Born in Vernon (Wilbarger Co.), Orbison and family moved often and by 1946 they had settled in Wink. The Orbisons lived at 102 Langley Way (now 105 North Roy Orbison Drive). As a high school student in Wink, Orbison formed his first band. The Wink Westerners (later The Teen Kings). He attended North Texas State University at which time The Teen Kings recorded "Ooby Dooby," a song which led to their signing by Sun Records in 1956., By the early 1960s, Orbison had signed with Monument Records, where he had his greatest commercial success, recording songs like "Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)," "Crying," "In Dreams," "Running Scared" and "Oh! Pretty Women," By this time, Orbison had perfected his unique, powerful singing voice, while focusing on complex melodies in his music. He also began to wear his familiar dark sunglasses during performances., By the mid–1960s, though, Orbison's career languished. In addition, he suffered a number of personal tragedies. In 1966, Orbison's wife, Claudette (Frady), died in a motorcycle accident; two years later, two of their three sons died in a fire. In 1969, Orbison remarried; he would have two more sons. In the late 1970s, other artists began covering Orbison's music and by the late 1980s, his career was revived. Orbison was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. In 1988, he recorded the album, Mystery Girl, which included the hit, "You Got It." Before it was finalized, Orbison died unexpectedly of a heart attack. The album was released posthumously and was a success. Today, Orbison continues to be remembered for his legacy of music, which has inspired generations of successful musicians.
Roy Kelton Orbison was one of America's most famed rock and roll musicians. Born in Vernon (Wilbarger Co.), Orbison and family moved often and by 1946 they had settled in Wink. The Orbisons lived at 102 Langley Way (now 105 North Roy Orbison Drive). As a high school student in Wink, Orbison formed his first band. The Wink Westerners (later The Teen Kings). He attended North Texas State University at which time The Teen Kings recorded "Ooby Dooby," a song which led to their signing by Sun Records in 1956.
By the early 1960s, Orbison had signed with Monument Records, where he had his greatest commercial success, recording songs like "Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)," "Crying," "In Dreams," "Running Scared" and "Oh! Pretty Women," By this time, Orbison had perfected his unique, powerful singing voice, while focusing on complex melodies in his music. He also began to wear his familiar dark sunglasses during performances.
By the mid–1960s, though, Orbison's career languished. In addition, he suffered a number of personal tragedies. In 1966, Orbison's wife, Claudette (Frady), died in a motorcycle accident; two years later, two of their three sons died in a fire. In 1969, Orbison remarried; he would have two more sons. In the late 1970s, other artists began covering Orbison's music and by the late 1980s, his
Click or scan to see this page online
career was revived. Orbison was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. In 1988, he recorded the album, Mystery Girl, which included the hit, "You Got It." Before it was finalized, Orbison died unexpectedly of a heart attack. The album was released posthumously and was a success. Today, Orbison continues to be remembered for his legacy of music, which has inspired generations of successful musicians.
Erected 2009 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15780.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.
Location. 31° 45.174′ N, 103° 9.338′ W. Marker is in Wink, Texas, in Winkler County. Marker is on North Roy Orbison Drive north of SE 1st Street (Farm to Market Road 1232), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wink TX 79789, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Roy Orbison Museum is about ¼ mile north of marker, on East Hendricks Boulevard (TX-115).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 915 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 22, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.