Ranked #49 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll.
Recorded many of his most famous hits from the 1960s with legendary guitarist Hank Garland.
Recorded the song "Hound Dog Man" (1979) in the memory of Elvis Presley.
Rerecorded many of his classic hits in 1987 to critical and commercial success.
Scored his first minor hit in 1956 with "Ooby Dooby".
Teamed up with Bob Dylan, Beatle George Harrison, Jeff Lynne from Electric Light Orchestra and Tom Petty in the group The Travelling Wilburys.
The look of Marvel Comics super-villain and Spider-Man archenemy, Dr. Octopus is said to be based on him.
The steady drum beat signifying confrontation in Roy's recording of "Running Scared" is reminiscent of the arrangement used in Frankie Laine's recording of "High Noon".
Toured the UK three times during 1963.
Toured with Eagles in 1980.
Underwent triple heart bypass surgery in 1978.
Was a friend of Elvis Presley.
Was known to insist his backup performers give their best at every performance. Reportedly, one night while touring in Florida he dismissed his regular band (called the Candy Men, after an early hit), then invited the opening group, the Webs, to join him on tour, adopting the Candy Men name. One member of the Webs was singer/songwriter Bobby Goldsboro.
Was one of the Million Dollar singers for little record company Sun Records based in Memphis, Tennessee with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis.
When Orbison was first in the UK he toured with The Beatles.
Won Grammy Awards in 1981, 1987 and posthumously in 1991.