Dark Star: The Roy Orbison Story [Hardcover]

Ellis Amburn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1990

Roy Orbison changed the course of popular music with songs like Pretty Woman, Crying, and Only The Lonely. Rock stars from Elvis to Bruce Springsteen have been profoundly affected by his work. This insightful book examines the power of Orbison's music--from his pioneer days to his fantastic comeback--and the events that lead to his untimely death.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From his rockabilly roots in West Texas, Roy Orbison perfected the operatic rock ballad ("Only the Lonely," "Crying") delivered in a quavering voice that could "scream away the pain of heartbreak." And there was heartache aplenty to sing about: his teenage first wife, whom he began dating when she was 14, died in a motorcycle accident in 1966; two years later, two of his sons died in a fire that destroyed the family home. Already addicted to sleeping pills, amphetamines and fast motorcycles, according to this account, Orbison married a German teenager in 1969 as his personal life spun out of control and his career fell into near-total eclipse. His comeback, cresting in a collaborative album with Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and George Harrison, was cut short by his death in 1988. This well-researched bio provides vivid glimpses of the workaholic rocker's early years with Sun Records, his tours with the Beatles, his self-destructive tendencies. Amburn has collaborated on autobiographies with Shelley Winters and Priscilla Presley. Photos.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

It is not ironic that Roy Orbison, the man possessing one of pop music's most thrilling voices, sang tear-jerking ballads and hid behind dark glasses. As seen in Amburn's biography, Orbison's life reflects a full range of rock 'n' roll emotions: he rose to stardom in the 1960s, tragically lost his wife and two children, sunk into obscurity, reemerged to great acclaim, was voted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, then worked himself to death on the crest of a huge comeback. This evenly paced, unbiased, well-researched account of the singer's life is based on recollections of family, friends, and colleagues and material gleaned from print and electronic media. Orbison's transcendence of generations of rock, pop, rhythm and blues, and country music will give this book wide appeal.
- Donald W. Maxwell, Carmel Clay P.L., Ind.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 283 pages
• Publisher: Lyle Stuart; 1ST edition (June 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081840518X
• ISBN-13: 978-0818405181
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,769 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars music teacher and fan, December 30, 2003

By 

Mark S. Crawford (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Dark Star: The Roy Orbison Story (Hardcover)

This was my first real read about Roy Orbison, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Living in middle TN, I knew the Orbisons lived north of Nashville. I was so into the subject that I drove to Nashville to find some of the sites mentioned in the book! (Nashville is a big place, and so far I have only visited Claudette and her children's grave at Woodlawn Cemetery). A few times, I did feel like the book threw out a lot of names to keep up with, but the index helped me with any quick refreshers. I recommend reading this book and then read Rave On, about Buddy Holly and you'll get a good idea of the early rock music activity in west Texas.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the brightest Dark Star ever to grace our ears, December 19, 2001

By 

john s keeble (basildon, essex England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Star: The Roy Orbison Story (Paperback)

Dark Star chronicles the life of the big O from boyhood. It doesnt jump about like some biographies that get lost on the way. There are comments from those who not only new and liked him but also those who were slightly put out by some decisions that were made, by others, on his behalf. Not that he agreed with those decisions e.g. going from The Candymen to Roy Orbison and the Candymen. All in all a very informative book which includes a bibliography of his singles at the back.
John Keeble U.K.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The story of a man with a once in a lifetime voice., June 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dark Star: The Roy Orbison Story (Hardcover)

After reading this book Roy s music took on a whole new meaning to me. What a tradgic life for a remarkable man who was admired and respected by his peers. A person and voice we could only dream of having. I also need a copy,can anyone help me?