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Dark Star: The Roy Orbison Story
 
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Dark Star: The Roy Orbison Story (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)


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  Hardcover, May 31, 1990 -- $66.98 $1.38
  Paperback, Import -- -- $3.59

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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: Carol Publishing Corporation; First Printing 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: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #505,978 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

More About the Author

Ellis Amburn
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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
5 star:
 (10)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
5 of 5 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)   
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.
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5 of 5 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
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?
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4 of 4 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
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Roy Orbison book
This book was excellent! I have been a Roy Orbison fan since I was 12 years old & I am 54 now. Once you start reading this book, you just can not put it down. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mary A. Smith

4.0 out of 5 stars Presents Both Sides
At first I thought this biography was a little one-sided in favor of the famous rock singer but then, the warts on Roy Orbison also were presented, leaving a pretty balanced... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Craig Connell

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for the True Orbison Fan
I was also surprised that this book received so many great reviews. I am a huge Roy Orbison fan, and I was very disappointed by this biography. Read more
Published 4 months ago by M. Kaminski

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark Star
I just finished the book and highly recommend the book for any degree of fan interest for Roy Orbison.
Published 6 months ago by Duane S. Schueler

5.0 out of 5 stars book about Roy Orbison
This was a good book about a singer I liked. It gave some insight into his personal life and how he was not always there for his children, his younger children. Read more
Published on September 3, 2007 by Cassandra S. Elder

5.0 out of 5 stars roy orbison
I am happily reading this book at the moment. Roy Orbison was a truly unique talent. Everyone should own at least one of his tapes or CD's. Read more
Published on January 3, 2007 by Joyce Mayberry

2.0 out of 5 stars Dark Star, Dim Author
It surprises me to see so many positive reviews of this biography here. Mister Amburn never gets to know his subject, but makes wildly off-base observations Orbison's... Read more
Published on June 28, 2002 by Sean Lyons

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative insight into the tragic life of Big Roy
I need a copy of this excellent book - I was halfway through it when I lost it on vacation in Bermuda, and have been unable to find it- can anyone help??
Published on February 8, 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the finest book on a true musical legand.
This is a book that should be read by anyone that ever wondered what the private life of Roy Orbison was like. Read more
Published on October 26, 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars a killer bio, read to appreciate the man!
My congratulations to the author! This is a must read for those who want the background on the mentality and situations that produced the music. Read more
Published on January 28, 1996

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