Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum to open Roy Orbison exhibit

CLEVELAND /PRNewswire/ -- Roy Orbison was one of the true pioneers of rock and roll and one of the all-time greatest singers to ever record rock, pop or country music. In celebration of his legacy, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has opened an exhibit that highlights different aspects of his career and personal life.  Orbison was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

The exhibit coincides with the release of Legacy Records Roy Orbison Reissue Project. The first Legacy release will be Black & White Night, the 1987 star-studded concert originally aired as an HBO-Cinemax special, and the long-awaited The Essential Roy Orbison, the first-ever "best of" collection spanning Orbison's entire career. Black & White Night is currently in stores.

"Roy Orbison secured his place in modern music history with a unique blend of rock, country and pop music that defies easy description," said Howard Kramer, director of curatorial affairs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. "His one-of-a-kind voice and ethereal songs set him apart from all of his contemporaries and made for a diverse set of followers." Orbison influenced a broad range of contemporaries, like Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers; rock superstars like Bruce Springsteen and John Lennon; as well more current performers such as k.d. lang and Chris Isaak.

The exhibit includes handwritten lyrics and setlists, production notes, handbills, clothing, rare records and more. Highlights are:

  * Handwritten lyrics to "Careless Heart," "Windsurfer," "She's a

    Mystery to Me"

  * Production notes from Mystery Girl

  * Rare Rockabilly Spectator tour program, 1958. The tour also

    featuring Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent and many others.

  * Jumpsuits and pantsuits from the 1970s.

  * Rare records including the original acetate from "Ooby Dooby"

    and the highly coveted Sun Records promo EP.

  About Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison possessed one of the great rock and roll voices: a forceful, operatic bel canto tenor capable of dynamic crescendos. He sang heartbroken ballads and bluesy rockers alike, running up a formidable hit streak in the early Sixties. From the release of "Only the Lonely" in 1960 to "Oh! Pretty Woman," a span of four years, Orbison cracked the Top Ten nine times. Orbison's most memorable performances were lovelorn melodramas, such as "Crying" and 'It's Over,'" in which he emoted in a brooding, tremulous voice. The melancholy in his songs resonated with listeners of all ages, but especially heartsick teenagers who knew how it felt to lose in love.

About the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum:

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, a nonprofit museum dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting the historical significance of modern music, will honor the legacy of Roy Orbison with an exhibit opening in April. The gallery will feature an intimate display of artifacts directly from the Roy Orbison archives. Handwritten lyrics, rare records, stage clothing, business documents and photographs will illustrate the life and work of one of the most enigmatic performers in rock and roll history.

The Museum is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Wednesdays the Museum is open until 9:00 p.m. Museum admission is $20.00 for adults, $14.00 for seniors (60+), $11 for children (9-12) and children under 8 and Museum members are free.