Dark Star
The Roy Orbison Story
Published on 6. June 2023
283 pages
978-1-63576-836-7 (ISBN)
Description
This biography reveals the rock music legend's dramatic life story, from his Texas youth and rise to stardom to his personal tragedies and untimely death.
A true legend of American popular music, Roy Orbison perfected the soulful rock ballad, recording such perennial hits as "Only the Lonely" and "Crying." In Dark Star, biographer Ellis Amburn reveals the stories behind his achingly beautiful sound. Amburn explores Orbison's rockabilly roots, his first deal with Sun Records, and his numerous Billboard Top 40 hits.
Amburn then delves into the personal tragedies, including the sudden deaths of his wife and two of his children, that led to his obscurity. His return to stardom is also covered in detail, including his work with the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys and his posthumous hit single "You got It."
A true legend of American popular music, Roy Orbison perfected the soulful rock ballad, recording such perennial hits as "Only the Lonely" and "Crying." In Dark Star, biographer Ellis Amburn reveals the stories behind his achingly beautiful sound. Amburn explores Orbison's rockabilly roots, his first deal with Sun Records, and his numerous Billboard Top 40 hits.
Amburn then delves into the personal tragedies, including the sudden deaths of his wife and two of his children, that led to his obscurity. His return to stardom is also covered in detail, including his work with the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys and his posthumous hit single "You got It."
More details
Person
Ellis Amburn worked as a reporter-researcher at Newsweek before becoming a book editor at Putnam, where he edited John le Carré and Jack Kerouac. Amburn was also an editor-in-chief at Delacorte and William Morrow. He worked as a ghostwriter with Priscilla Presley, Shelley Winters, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Sammy Davis, Jr. He wrote several biographies including Buddy Holly: A Biography, Dark Star: The Roy Orbison Story, The Sexiest Man Alive: A Biography of Warren Beatty, Subterranean Kerouac, and Pearl: The Obsessions and Passions of Janis Joplin. He died after a long illness on August 18, 2018 at the age of 85.
Content
- Intro
- Dark Star
- Copyright
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter One
- Chapter Two
- Chapter Three
- Chapter Four
- Photos
- Chapter Five
- Chapter Six
- Chapter Seven
- Chapter Eight
- Chapter Nine
- Chapter Ten
- Photos
- Chapter Eleven
- Chapter Twelve
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Discography
- About the Author
