🎸 THE STORIES BEHIND THE SONGS: "Ooby Dooby" 🎸
Happy Birthday, Roy. Born April 23, 1936 — a legend then, a legend now, forever.
Before there was "Oh, Pretty Woman"... before the dark glasses, the black suit, and the voice that made the world stop and listen... there was a young kid from Vernon, Texas sitting in a college dorm, hearing a song that would change everything.
It was February 1955. Two fraternity brothers at the University of North Texas — Dick Penner and Wade Moore — climbed up to the roof of their Lambda Chi frat house with a six-pack of beer and knocked out a little tune called "Ooby Dooby" in a matter of minutes. They had no idea what they'd just set in motion. Roy Orbison was there at university when he heard the song — and he knew immediately he had to record it.
What followed was one of rock 'n' roll's great underdog stories. Roy took the song to West Texas and made it a local hit on his TV show on KMID. Then he trekked to Norman Petty’s studio in Clovis, New Mexico and recorded it for release on JeWel Records, a new label. A couple of days later and with acetate in hand, Roy visited The Record Shop in Odessa and talked to Poppa Holifield — a well-known record dealer in West Texas — who liked it so much he played it over the phone to a contact in Memphis. That contact was Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Records.
Phillips was intrigued. He discovered that Orbison wasn't yet twenty-one, which meant his previous contract was void. Phillips signed Roy and marched him straight back into Sun Studio to cut it again.
By June 1956, "Ooby Dooby" had peaked on the Billboard charts and sold 200,000 copies — not bad for a song written in fifteen minutes on a rooftop! More importantly, it put Roy Orbison on the same legendary Sun Records roster as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins.
🎵 Drop a 🖤 in the comments if "Ooby Dooby" makes you want to wiggle and shake!
#RoyOrbison #OobyDooby #StoryBehindTheSong #SunRecords #Rockabilly #TheBigO #RockAndRollHistory #HappyBirthdayRoy
Happy 90th Birthday to The Big O — Roy Orbison! 🖤🎸
Born on this day in 1936 in Vernon, Texas, Roy Orbison gave the world one of the most distinctive voices in the history of rock 'n' roll. From "Only the Lonely" to "Crying" to "Oh, Pretty Woman" — his music spoke straight to the soul, and it still does today.
2026 marks not only what would have been Roy's 90th year, but also an incredible 70 years of hit music — from his first Sun Records recording in 1956 all the way to his legendary run with the Traveling Wilburys.
Roy once said the best compliment he ever received was that his music made people feel. We think that says it all. 💙
Drop your favorite Roy Orbison song in the comments — let's celebrate The Big O! 👇
#RoyOrbison #TheBigO #HappyBirthday #RockAndRoll #OhPrettyWoman #Crying #ClassicRock #MusicLegend #90thBirthday
🎙️ Hear It From Roy – Roy Orbison’s 90th Birthday Week!
Here’s something very special: a rare audio clip of Roy talking about his early musical influences.
Who were YOUR early musical heroes that shaped your love for Roy’s music?
Drop your thoughts in the comments — the best comment or fan story today will win an exclusive Roy Orbison prize!
Tag a friend who needs to hear this rare clip 👇
#RoyOrbison #90thBirthday #TheBigO #HearItFromRoy #StoriesBehindTheSongs
🕊️ We are deeply saddened by the passing of legendary guitarist and dear friend, Wayne Moss.
Wayne was a cornerstone of Nashville’s famed “A-Team” of session musicians and played a vital role in creating some of Roy Orbison’s most iconic Monument Records hits — including the unforgettable guitar work on “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “Crying,” and many others. His tasteful, soulful playing helped bring Roy’s songs to life in a way that still resonates with fans.
Beyond the studio, Wayne was a kind and talented soul who remained connected to the Orbison family over the years. His musicianship left an indelible mark on Roy’s music and on countless classic recordings by artists across genres.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Wayne’s family, friends, and everyone whose life he touched. Thank you, Wayne, for the beautiful sounds you gave us. You will be greatly missed. 💔
#RIPWayneMoss #NashvilleATeam #RoyOrbison
🎉 Celebrating Roy Orbison’s 90th Birthday Week! 🎸
This special week, we’re sharing “Stories Behind The Songs” and “Hear It From Roy” posts — intimate stories, rare insights, and words straight from Roy himself.
Every day you’ll enjoy:
Exclusive giveaways (best comment or fan story wins!)
Store discounts
Rare photos
Audio
And so much more…
Mercy! You won’t want to miss a single day. ❤️
Drop a 🎤 in the comments if you’re excited for the stories behind the hits, and tag a fellow Orbison fan below!
#RoyOrbison #90thBirthday #TheBigO #StoriesBehindTheSongs
🎶 Stories Behind the Songs — "Twinkle Toes" (1966)
There was a version of Roy Orbison that the world knew — the glasses, the haunting ballads, the voice that could silence a room.
But in 1966, Roy sat down and co-wrote something different. Something that swings.
"Twinkle Toes" is full of energy, built to move you, with a rock edge that reminded everyone in 66’ that this was a man of extraordinary range. At a time when music was shifting beneath everyone's feet, Roy didn't just keep up — he contributed something genuinely fun to the conversation.
That's Roy. Versatile. Unstoppable. Timeless.
What's an upbeat Roy moment that means something to you? Share it below — we love hearing your stories. ❤️
#RoyOrbison #StoriesBehindTheSongs #TwinkleToes
Happy Anniversary to Roy & Barbara Orbison! 💍🤍😎
On March 25th 1969, the one and only Roy Orbison tied the knot with Barbara. Their love story became a beautiful part of music history, filled with timeless songs, shared dreams, and enduring devotion.
Today we celebrate the magic they created together.
#RoyOrbison #BarbaraOrbison #WeddingAnniversary #TheBigO
New Series: Hear It From Roy - Loneliness
In each episode of “Hear It From Roy,” we’re pulling back the curtain with rare stories and archival audio featuring the man himself as he shares how these timeless songs came to life.
First up: the birth of a classic.
🎶 On this day, 66 years ago — March 25, 1960 — Roy Orbison stepped into RCA Studio B in Nashville and recorded: “Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel).”
The track soared to #2 in the US and #1 in the UK, introducing the world to Roy's unmistakable voice and dramatic sound.
In 1999, the original 1960 recording on Monument Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
❤️ Drop a heart in the comments if “Only the Lonely” still gives you chills, and tell us:
What’s your favorite Roy Orbison memory or lyric?
#RoyOrbison #OnlyTheLonely #HearItFromRoy #OnThisDay #MusicHistory #NashvilleSound #BigO
🎸 1964 Flashback: Roy Orbison Swings the Coke Jingle!
The world was obsessed with Coca-Cola back in the day thanks to the legendary “Things Go Better With Coke” campaign — and right at the peak of his fame (fresh off “Oh, Pretty Woman” hitting #1), The Big O was one of the very first superstar artists invited to record his own killer version.
He gave it that unmistakable Roy Orbison groove, turning the jingle into pure magic with the “Oh, Pretty Woman” theme woven right in. Coca-Cola picked four different cuts for radio airplay: 90-sec, 60-sec, 30-sec, and 10-sec versions.
Close your eyes, and you’re right back in 1964. Who else remembers these classic Coke radio spots? Drop a ❤️ if you’re suddenly craving an ice-cold Coke… or tag a friend who grew up with these jingles!
What’s your favorite Roy Orbison era? Let us know below 👇
Turn it up loud — things definitely go better with Roy + Coke! 🥤🎤
#RoyOrbison #TheBigO #ThingsGoBetterWithCoke #CocaCola #OhPrettyWoman #1964Classics #VintageCoke #MusicHistory #ClassicJingle
"Ride Away" (1965) – The Escape & A New Chapter
🏍️ Released in the summer of 1965, "Ride Away" was Roy Orbison's first single after his monumental run of hits on Monument Records (think "Oh, Pretty Woman," "Crying," "In Dreams").
Co-written with his frequent collaborator Bill Dees (the same genius who helped craft the iconic "Oh, Pretty Woman" just a year earlier), this track captures the urge to hit the open road on a motorcycle, leaving heartbreak in the dust for a fresh start.
The song peaked at #25 on the US Billboard Hot 100, performed solidly in places like Canada and Australia, and marked his debut on MGM Records after leaving Monument. It’s a classic road song, well known for featuring in commercials and movies soundtracks.
“Two wheels a-turning,
one girl a yearning,
big motor burning the road.
I ride the highway,
I’m going my way,
I leave the story untold.“
Freedom on two wheels, with just a hint of sorrow lingering in the rearview mirror... 🚀💔
Which Roy Orbison song would you "ride away" to? Drop it below!
#RoyOrbison #RideAway #StoriesBehindTheSongs #1965 #ClassicRock
"Crawling Back" (1965) – The Pleading Return
🕷️ "Stories Behind the Songs" keeps rolling: "Crawling Back"!
Roy co-wrote this desperate plea of crawling back to love after mistakes. With its driving rhythm and vulnerable lyrics, it was a hit in the US, UK and Australia—fans loved the raw emotion. Roy's voice trembles with regret perfectly. Classic Big O drama!
Ever crawled back to someone? Spill (no judgment)!
#RoyOrbison #StoriesBehindTheSongs #CrawlingBack
