1936 – 1988

Roy Orbison

American musician (1936 –1988)

vocalistsongwriterguitaristbandleadermusician

Born

1936-04-23, Vernon

Died

1988-12-06

Birthplace state

Texas

Biography

Roy Orbison was born in Vernon, Texas in 1936 and worked as a vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. His songs frequently displayed complex structures and dealt with dark, emotional themes, often expressing vulnerability when male performers of his era typically conveyed strength. He performed in black clothes, dark sunglasses, and dyed black hair, with minimal movement on stage. His career saw major success in the early 1960s and again in the late 1980s before his death in 1988.

Occupation

Roy Orbison is recorded as a vocalist, a songwriter, a guitarist, a bandleader, a musician, a singer-songwriter, a singer, a composer and a actor, born in Texas (1936–1988).

Connections to Texas

Roy Orbison was born in Vernon, Texas in 1936. Explore other notable figures from Texas, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

Other notable figures from Texas›Texashistory ›Historic sites in Texas›

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Vernon

Roy Orbison came from Vernon. A full Aubrey report on Vernon pulls together everything the historical record holds about that place, from the first settlers to the twentieth century:

Overview

An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.

The Land

The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.

Geology

The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.

LiDAR Terrain

Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.

Conflict & War

The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.

The Civil War

The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.

The Soldiers

The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.

Native Heritage

The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.

Settlement

Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.

The Community

How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.

Rivers & Rail

The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.

Notable People

The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.

Historical Maps

Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.

Finds & Access

Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.

Literature

The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.

Spotlight

A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.

Points of Interest

The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.

Timeline

The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.

First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Vernon report

Or see a real report first

More notable figures from Texas

Other historical figures born in Texas, ranked by historical prominence.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

president of the United States from 1953 to 1961 (1890–1969)

Lyndon B. Johnson

president of the United States from 1963 to 1969 (1908–1973)

Selena

American singer

Joan Crawford

American actress (1908–1977)

Debbie Reynolds

American actress, singer, and dancer (1932–2016)

Patrick Swayze

American actor, producer, singer and dancer (1952–2009)

Howard Hughes

American aviator, engineer, industrialist, and film producer (1905–1976)

Frequently asked about Roy Orbison

Who was Roy Orbison?

Roy Orbison was American musician (1936 –1988), born in Texas (1936 – 1988).

When and where was Roy Orbison born?

Roy Orbison was born on 1936-04-23 in Vernon.

When did Roy Orbison die?

Roy died on 1988-12-06.

What was Roy Orbison known for?

Roy Orbison is recorded as a vocalist, a songwriter, a guitarist, a bandleader, a musician, a singer-songwriter, a singer, a composer and a actor.

Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your location View a free sample report