When Elvis Presley says u have the best voice he’s ever heard ! That’s one hell of a compliment

You know you are respected when your supporting cast here includes Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, KD Lang, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, Jennifer Warnes and more.

The thing about Roy's voice is it is so close to perfect that when Elvis was asked," What's it like to be the best singer in the world" he answered," I don't know, you'd better go and ask Roy Orbison."

In later years, he was part of a super group, The Traveling Wilburys: Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, George Harrison of The Beatles and Jeff Lynne of ELO. Songs: End of the Line and Handle with Care 1988. End of the Line: the video was made after Roy passed away so they have a black and white photo of him during his singing parts and his guitar is in a rocking chair during his singing parts.

I had the privilege of seeing a show just before Covid, which had holographic images on stage of Roy Orbison, and also Buddy Holly. It was a very surreal and emotional experience. It was as if you could reach out and touch them. Both of those taken from us far too soon 😔.

Thank you. Roy was born in 1936. Most of his hits were released around the early 1960s. This live concert, known as "Black and White Night," was recorded in 1987 and was broadcast and then released on media in 1988. So Roy was 51 when this was shot, and he still had his whole vocal range over 25 years after the original studio recordings of some of the these songs. Roy died in 1988. All the backup instrumentalists (other than the string section) and the backup vocalists were stars in their own right. They considered it a privilege to be included on this project.

When you lose your significant other, when you first wake up is the worst moment-you realize all over again that they are gone. Dreaming about a love one that has passed, gives you a brief moment to reunite with them.

Roy wore the dark glasses all the time because when his wife passed away in a house fire he said if she couldn't look in his eyes anymore no one should be able too. One of my favorite love stories

This was a live performance in front of a roomful of movie and music royalty. The backup players on that stage is one of the largest collection of huge talent ever assembled on one stage. The female backing vocals were Jennifer Warnes, k.d. lang, and Bonnie Raitt. If you do not know who they are, look each one up. You will be impressed. Male backing vocals were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, and Steven Soles, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, etc. Everyone on that stage could sell out a stadium by themselves. They were each some of the largest selling acts of the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's. Not to mention some of the biggest and best songwriters, singers, and musicians of those decades. Oh, and Elvis Presley's band were up there, too. A one night only gig, they rehearsed for about a day, and then nailed it.

I don't know if anyone told you but Roy Orbison was Elvis Presley's favorite singer

Simply one of the best male vocalists of all time. Unbelievably simple.

I saw him in concert. It lasted just over an hour. A critic wrote the next day that an hour of Roy Orbison is worth two hours of anybody else. Amen!

What you really need to know about this incredible song is the sad story behind it. Roy's wife died in a motorcycle accident next to him, and his 2 young sons died in a house fire while staying with their Grandparents. Listen carefully to the lyrics again, and you'll suddenly realize it's all about them... 😢

The best male vocalist and writer of great songs.

This is from his Black & White Night concert from 1988 with the most incredible cast of musicians. Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits...and members of Elvis Presley's band. KD Lang, Jennifer Warnes and Bonnie Raite on backing vocals. The whole DVD is pretty incredible.

Saw Roy from the front row back in the day! He sang his hits for more than an hour! What a singer!

This was filmed in 1988, Roy was 52. This is one of my favourite Roy songs, love his voice. Thank you for this one

At the age of 75 there are a handful of singers that are instantly recognisable and this man is one of them, wonderful

Roy could sing the phone book and it would sound amazing. His voice was 1 of a kind and will live on forever. Gives me goosebumps every time ❤

Roy Orbison has the most amazing voice and a bunch of hits

People back in the day could really sing. Today's singers should study the singers of the past. This show was done live in late 1980s. The songs done that night were hits from the past.

Every single musician on that stage was/is a star in their own right. A supergroup supporting one of the greatest vocalists of all time.

When the greatest performer ever to Live says you have the greatest voice ever that’s the ultimate compliment, and that’s what Elvis Presley said about Roy Orbison

This is from his Black and White concert. Elvis Costell and Bruce Springsteen among others played on stage with him.

That was filmed at a tribute to Orbison, so a lot of the accompanying musicians are actually stars in their own right. Both Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello are on rhythm guitars, KD Lang is one of the backup singers. I can't name them all, but its basically an all-star orchestra to honor Orbison. The concert was filmed in one take.

I believe this song is about his wife and sons. His wife died in a motorbike accident. And a couple months later his two sons died in a house fire. This song is about how he now only sees them in his dreams. Johnny Cash bought the house after the incident, and tore out the buildings and planted an orchard in memory of Orbison sons. It’s a beautiful song.

Roy Orbison was one of the great artists of the early days of rock and roll. He started on the Sun Record label…the one that brought us Elvis,Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis , and Carl Perkins… and was a songwriter as well as a singer. He wrote Claudette that was a decent hit for the Everly Brothers. His career took off when he joined Monument Records and teamed with Bordeaux Bryant in1960. His first song Only The Lonely was a monster hit in 1960 and he followed with numerous hits, several Top Ten smashes, and a couple of #1 hits… Running Scared and Oh!Pretty Woman. His most popular era was 1960 until1965 and then music tastes changed and he was considered square and old fashioned. Luckily he left behind a treasury of great music .

Try Blue Bayou. I am 75 and grew up to true talented singers like him. Loved their music

Elvis Presley described Roy Orbison as the best voice that he has ever heard, Great reaction thanks 🙏

Roy Orbison's voice is so smooth!

I was smiling and chuckling when you paused to rave about his vocals, thinking: "You ain't heard nothin' yet." Phenomenal stuff! Enjoyed your reaction to arguably the greatest American pop singer of his time, definitely brought a smile to my face..

The most stunning vibrato voice, even without formal training. They say he could've been an opera star.

One of the best male vocalists of allllll time.

And that's why he was Elvis' favorite all-time singer!

In addition to Roy Orbison, one of the most iconic and recognizable voices of all time, in this "Black and White Night", were, among others, Bruce Springstein, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, k.d. lang, Jennifer Warnes, and Boonie Raitt. The whole video is magic. When they all sing Pretty Woman together, they're having such a great time. The video was filmed live in 1987 when Roy was 51.

This was in 1987 when he was filming a concert for HBO just a year before his death. Roy’s voice was perfection his whole life. Amazing talent and lovely person.

I wish I could remember some more details of this . . . way back when the Traveling Wilburys were touring, I read a magazine interview (could have been in Classic Rock magazine, not sure) in which the journalist, on the tour bus, asked whether having so many singers in one band ever caused any friction. Orbison straight away replied, "No, I'm the singer, all these other are just vocal stylists!" - and none of them batted an eyelid in dispute.

My first time hearing this song. It gets progressively more beautiful and I wish it would never end. In Dreams A candy-colored clown they call the sandman Tiptoes to my room every night Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper Go to sleep, everything is alright I close my eyes then I drift away Into the magic night, I softly say A silent prayer like dreamers do Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you In dreams I walk with you In dreams I talk to you In dreams you're mine all of the time We're together in dreams, in dreams But just before the dawn I awake and find you gone I can't help it I can't help it If I cry I remember that you said goodbye It's too bad that all these things Can only happen in my dreams Only in dreams In beautiful dreams Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Roy K. Orbison "Orbison later claimed that "In Dreams" came to him while he was sleeping, as many of his songs did. He often heard music while asleep, with a radio disc jockey announcing that it was Elvis Presley's new song. Orbison was half-awake when he imagined "In Dreams", and thought, " I need to finish that." It was first performed in February, 1963 In Dreams (Roy Orbison song) - Wikipedia wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org › wiki › In_Dreams_(Roy_Orbison)

Now that he's gone, NOBODY has a voice like that!

After school we kids would gather at this 'little hole in the wall' restaurant that had a Juke Box to listen to music and socialize before going home. Every time someone played a Roy Orbison song the whole place got quiet, paying homage to one of the greatest voices ever. Thank you for reviving this amazing talent and bringing back some wonderful memories.

This was Roy Orbison and Friends, Black And White Night. It aired in 1988. Every band member is a famous musician and the 3 background singers are too. Here is some info... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Orbison_and_Friends:_A_Black_and_White_Night

His falsetto gets way up in the stratosphere in several songs, with the hit song 'Crying" being the most notable.

This version is from "Roy Orbison and Friends A Black and White Night" from 1988. Those joining him on stage were fellow musicians, who totally admired him. Off the top of my head, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Jackson Brown, Tom Waits, and a few others. Backup singers - Bonnie Raitt, k.d. lang, and Jennifer Warnes. That was the start of Roy's comeback and he later joined the Traveling Wilburys. Music is universal and understood by everyone. The performing artists respected and admired Roy Orbison and came together to share his music at a time when Roy wasn't performing. An absolute treasure for the next generation. In Dreams was featured in the movie Blue Velvet. Thanks for keeping it real.

Interesting fact..... Elvis was jeaolus of Roy, even dyed his dirty blonde hair black . Roy was not a pretty man but that voice was heaven. Roy left us too early, only 52 and yes, he would be considered legally blind in these days. We use to call those lenses Coke Bottles.

Elvis among many other people loved his voice and only wished that they could reach the highest level of his voice. There is no other ❤ more please 😊 you may not know but there are many famous musicians and singers in this special concert filmed in black and white. Classic 🎶🎵😎❤

I saw him in concert. It was for a small audience. I was very close and it was wonderful. He was so soft spoken and shy. That all changed we he started. A fabulous night❣️

I love how the orchestra members are wearing sunglasses - what a tribute!

This wasa live show. His guests, playing in the background, include Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne. Roy was the rock stars' rock star.

He died at 52 in 1988. I grew up on him. I graduated in 1987. I miss him so much to this day. Thank God he's been recorded!

I've seen alot of people mention all of the people backing him; Springsteen, Costello, etc. I wanted to point out one more. The gentleman in white with the acoustic guitar next to the stand up bass, is the great James Burton. He was Ricky Nelson's guitar player pretty much from the start playing on about every hit he had. Elvis requested that Burton be his lead guitarist when he did his shows in Vegas, even helping put the TCB band together and a few from that band were also a part of this performance with Roy I believe. Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones gave the speech putting Burton in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. You put a Telecaster in his hands and he could play anything you wanted.

This was a special filmed in 1987 and released in 1988 not long before he passed away called Roy Orbison and friends: A Black and White Night. Loaded with stars it was spearheaded by Bruce Springsteen. As for his dark glasses, in a book by his children to clear up myths about Roy there is a excerpt about how he left his glasses on a plane when arriving in the UK to tour with the Beatles. He could not see with out his prescription glasses so he put on his prescription sun glasses. Was photographed the whole tour with them on. And it became his trademark.

This video is from his comeback concert, Black & White Night 30 on September 30, 1987. He was 51 at the time. Artists who were inspired by Roy over the years performed on stage with him, including Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, k.d. Lang, and others.

This was a live performance from a concert called "Roy Orbison & Friends-A Black and White Night." It was filmed in 1987, one year before Roy's untimely death in 1988. He was 51 when this was performed. One of his masterpieces!

When Roy sang something it stayed sung.

Thank you for being open to great music ❤

Roy Orbison: lead vocals, guitar, harmonica T Bone Burnett: acoustic guitar; musical director TCB Band: Glen D. Hardin: piano James Burton: lead guitar Jerry Scheff: upright bass Ronnie Tutt: drums Guest performers: Bruce Springsteen: guitar, vocals Elvis Costello: acoustic guitar, electric organ, harmonica Tom Waits: electric organ, acoustic guitar Michael Utley: keyboard Alex Acuña: percussion Ezra Klinger, Pavel Farkas, Concertmaster Christopher Reutinger, Carol Shive, Cynthia Morrow, Bobby Debow: violin Jimbo Ross & Peter Hatch: viola Guest Vocalists: J. D. Souther: backing vocals; acoustic guitar; vocal arrangements Steven Soles: backing vocals Jackson Browne: backing vocals Bonnie Raitt: backing vocals k.d. lang: backing vocals Jennifer Warnes: backing vocals

Truly one of my favourite songs of all time. A fantastic series of sections, none of which repeat. 16 in 1963, I met Mary at the Saturday night YMCA teen dance & fell in Love

Roy is a legend

There are great singers, then there's this guy!!!! Roy was something special

beautiful voice,blue bayou is my fave

Best. Vocalist. Ever. There's no argument to it.

This was a television special called Black and White. Look up all the artists who were playing and singing with him that night. This was a comeback for him after his initial fame in the early 60s. This was during the time of the creation of The Traveling Wilburys which was a super group that included Roy, George Harrison of the Beatles, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and more. He died not long after this newfound fame in the eighties. Roy's voice is incomparable, so beautiful, clear, strong and dreamy.

I was lucky enough to see him in concert in the 80s at the pier in NYC one summer night. Spectacular.

Famous persons on Guitar at 3:06 Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello Amazing

Such a beautiful voice and a beautiful and humble man.

It was 88 or 89 .. it was an HBO special i believe... i can tell you i cried the day Roy Orbison died 😔

One of Roy's best, and one of my favorites.

Roy Orbison's Black & White Night - where he had almost every amazing musician on the stage because they loved and respected him so much. Bruce Springsteen was like, "I'll sit here on strum a guitar even if I'm the biggest rock star in the world." Then nine others like Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, KD Lang, so many more.

This is probably my favorite Roy Orbison song. I remember when it came out and I've loved it ever since. His career spanned from the late '50 on. He was known as the "Caruso" of rock. Enrique Caruso was a very famous opera singer from earlier decades.

If u want to hear the most angelic voice u have ever heard, check out John Denver! Rocky Mountain High, Annie's song, This Old Guitar, Poems, prayers and promises, & Take me home, Country roads are just a few of my favorites by him!

This was the black and white night concert a live performance of many of his hits. A who’s who of other performers paying homage to Roy behind him and voicing their admiration including Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, K D Lang, J D Souther, Bonnie Raite, Elvis Costello etc

His biggest hits were around 1960. The Beatles opened for him. It’s a shame he was in the middle of a major career resurgence when he died. This special (dated around 1986-87), his duets with kd lang and Emmylou Harris, his inclusion in The Traveling Wilburys, his work on his final album with Jeff Lynne. He was prime for a victory lap. This performance is amazing. His backup band is Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, kd lang, Bonnie Raitt, Jennifer Warnes, some Jordanares, T Bone Burnett. What’s cool about the evening is that they were truly a backup band. It wasn’t let me come on for my duet kind of thing. The spotlight remained squarely on Roy who has to be one of the humblest rock stars in history.

A lot of Roy's songs had that "build" to them, where his vocals start low and gradually build up to those amazing high vocals. It always gives me goosebumps. By the way the REAL story about wearing his sunglasses, is this..... In 1963 when Roy was on tour with THE BEATLES, he left his thick eyeglasses on the plane (his regular clear glasses), so the only thing he could do was wear his prescription sunglasses on stage, he liked it better, PLUS he got a great reaction from the audience (I guess the fans thought it looked really cool) and from then on he always wore them on stage. It's true that a LOT of people thought he was blind, just very near sighted.

I saw Roy Orbison preform a few months before his untimely death. Still had the incredible pipes. Unbelievable voice

This is my absolute favorite Roy Orbison song. I heard his music since I was very young and all throughout my life as he was my dad's favorite. Beautiful and pure totally unique

Elvis Presley was once asked who had the best singing voice, his reply was Roy Orbison.

No-one will ever do Pretty Woman like Roy Orbison did he was just brilliant one reason for the dark glasses was the glare of the stage lights

LOL! The look on your face when you first saw him was exactly mine first time I saw him! That angel voice & his looks never jived for me.

please watch the entire concert... just perfect

I love how all the violinists are wearing sunglasses (like Roy). 😎

Don’t know if this was said before, but this is from an incredible late 80’s concert video called In Black and White. He played it with many other rock icons, from Bruce Springsteen to Elvis Costello to Jackson Browne and on and on. Roy not only brilliantly sang his hits but wrote them. He unfortunately passed not long after this concert. He was and remains an icon.

Rory Orbison emerged in the Rockabilly genre in the 1960s, along with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holley, etc. He was known for lilting voice and complex melodies. His popularity faded in the 1970s, but resurged in the 1980s until his death in 1988. At the time of his death he had joined the super group, The Traveling Wilburys, dying 6 weeks after the release of their first album. A subsequent single, "End of the Line" was released, where Orbison and the rest of the band had recorded their parts, including Orbison's solo on the third verse, but Bob Dylan had not been present. Dylan later recorded his part and in the video, Rory is depicted by a photo on a rocking chair.

Roy Orbison a legend!! Great voice, I still love listening to his songs today and I am 73.

This is the greatest voice ever,The big O ❤❤❤

My very favorite Roy Orbison song. He was such an Iconic Singer in our generation. Thanks for doing this reaction.❤ Stay safe

We totally lost one of the greats when he passed. I remember him from the 60’s singing Pretty Woman! He made a comeback with the Traveling Wilburys. 5 superstars in one band!

Roy was a star among stars. That powerful voice coming from that ordinary-looking man standing stock still, hardly even opening his mouth... There was nobody else like him and there still isn't.

Roy will forever be a treasure, such an wonderful voice.

Roy Orbison, I Drove All Night. One of his best IMO

That was Elvis’ band playing too. Ronnie Tutt, Elvis’ drummer, was curiously playing with a traditional grip and a much smaller kit, as he usually played a large double bass kit. Jerry Scheff, Elvis bass player, was playing stand up bass, I suppose for a retro feel. James Burton, Elvis’ lead guitarist, appears to be playing an acoustic guitar on this song. Elvis’ piano player, Glenn D. Hardin was here too. These guys were in Elvis’ rhythm section during his concert and Vegas years, up until his death in 1977. Roy had the best for this TV special.

Roy is silky smooth

All this beautiful music with absolutely no strain, just flowing out of his heavenly mouth. He was legally blind.

A Great singer..When he was young he lost his son, Johnny Cash was right by his side .. seem to never chase the lime light, his music stood for him.. PRETTY LADY.. CRYING..ELVIS LOVED HIM

One of the best voices ever!

He was past his vocal prime here. In his prime he could blow your hair back in the last row and he did. I saw him and he was so powerful we lost it with joy

I believe he had a 3+ octave range... Not too many performers can claim that talent. He was also known for his glass-shattering falsetto. Love his music.

Roy himself said he " didn't have terrible eye sight,he was far sited." AS LONG as he wore his lens he was fine...He left his regular eye glasses on the plane, so he had to wear the darker ones..He even said " he didn't know how it would be because no one was wearing dark glasses back then...It went over very well so he always wore them as style n liked it better..God Bless this man as he has blessed us....

Thanks for another great song choice! I heard him sing live and up close in 1980 in a small supper club in balmy Green Bay, WI. It was about -10 outside, but he was so mesmerizing he made us all forget about the weather. A few years later I saw Tina Turner in a small club in Chicago just before she made her Private Dancer comeback, and James Brown as well in a Chicago dive during a time when he was in at career low point. I highly recommend going to see "has been" superstars, because once they're back, you can't get near them.

Roy was an untrained Roughneck on the rigs in west Texas. Elvis once said that Roy was the greatest singing voice...ever. Bono of U2 recorded with him and said he couldn't understand how he stood next to him, and a voice came out of him that was beyond comprehension, and he barely moved his lips. In this band is Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, K. D. Lang and many more class A artists. This was his last great moment before the world lost a LEGEND. I cried...

I knew of Roy since I was a kid in the 70s. My dad's favourite singer ever. Roy lost a wife and daughter very early in life. He did marry again. He died very young.