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Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison: A 'Monument' To A Pop Legend

Roy Orbison. Sony Music hide caption

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Review

Music Reviews

Roy Orbison: A 'Monument' To A Pop Legend

Fresh Air

Roy Orbison didn't really find his identity until he signed with a small Nashville label, Monument, in 1959. Ed Ward looks at the 17 singles that put him, and the Monument label, on the map.

Roy Orbison: A 'Monument' To A Pop Legend

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New Mix: tUnE-yArDs, Roy Orbison, More

Top row: F---ed Up; Bottom row, left to right: Haley Bonar, Roy Orbison, tUnE-yArDs Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

New Mix: tUnE-yArDs, Roy Orbison, More

On this week's show hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton go playful with tUnE-yArDs, reflective with an unreleased cut from legendary crooner Roy Orbison and profane with a certain Toronto hardcore band.

New Mix: tUnE-yArDs, Roy Orbison, More

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Music News

Music Archived for Eternity

The Library of Congress is known for its collection of the written word, but it also has a mandate to preserve the country's most culturally significant audio recordings. Sociology professor and cultural critic Oliver Wang reviews some of the library's key musical acquisitions from the past year.

Music Archived for Eternity

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The Sounds of American Culture

Mercy: Behind Roy Orbison's 'Pretty Woman'

One day, Roy Orbison's first wife walked down the street to the store. By the time she returned, the rock 'n' roll pioneer had already written his most enduring hit. "Oh, Pretty Woman" is one of the newest additions to the National Recording Registry.

Mercy: Behind Roy Orbison's 'Pretty Woman'

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Roy Orbison: A Great Voice, A Lonely Sound

Roy Orbison's melancholy style had a tremendous influence on American rock and pop music. David Redfern/Getty Images hide caption

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50 Great Voices

Roy Orbison: A Great Voice, A Lonely Sound

A rock 'n' roll pioneer, Orbison possessed a distinctive voice and melancholy style that had a tremendous influence on American rock and pop music. Orbison co-wrote and recorded such classics as "Only the Lonely," "Crying" and "Oh, Pretty Woman."

Roy Orbison: A Great Voice, A Lonely Sound

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