Description
Roy Orbison Forever celebrates the extraordinary life, career and enduring influence of one of rock and roll's most distinctive voices. A five-time Grammy Award winner and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Roy Orbison created an instantly recognizable body of work built around his soaring voice, emotionally charged songwriting and dramatic recordings. Director Steve Cole traces Orbison's journey from his earliest recording sessions in Memphis through international stardom, late-career resurgence and his final work with the Traveling Wilburys, combining archival performances with interviews and recollections from the musicians, family members and collaborators who knew him and his music.
The documentary follows Orbison from his Texas roots and early encouragement from Johnny Cash through breakthrough recordings including "Only the Lonely," "Crying," "Dream Baby," "In Dreams," "Blue Bayou," "It's Over" and the worldwide smash "Oh, Pretty Woman." His remarkable career placed him alongside successive generations of rock royalty: The Beatles supported Orbison on a British tour while still emerging as stars themselves, and decades later George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne joined him in the Traveling Wilburys. The film explores that celebrated collaboration and Orbison's creative resurgence, including music such as "Handle with Care," "End of the Line" and his solo hit "You Got It."
Orbison's story is told with contributions from an exceptional roster of artists, friends and family, including Johnny Cash, Barbara Orbison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Olivia Harrison, Elvis Costello, Bono, Robin Gibb, Joe Walsh, Bernie Taupin, Bill Wyman, Gerry Marsden, Steve Jones and filmmaker David Lynch. Their recollections illuminate the qualities that set Orbison apart from his contemporaries, from the vulnerability and operatic range of his singing to the unconventional structures and emotional intensity of his songs. Archival material and performance footage further demonstrate why his recordings have remained influential across generations of rock and pop musicians.
Produced by Chris Hunt and Doug Zwick, Roy Orbison Forever presents both an intimate biography and a musical overview of a singular career, incorporating performances of many of Orbison's essential songs and footage documenting his work with the Traveling Wilburys. Previously broadcast internationally on outlets including PBS and Sky Arts, the film offers a portrait of the man behind the dark glasses and the unmistakable voice that made songs such as "Crying," "In Dreams" and "Oh, Pretty Woman" enduring classics.
SONGS INCLUDE:
Oh, Pretty Woman
It's Over Blue Bayou
In Dreams
Crying
Dream Baby,
Ooby Dooby
Only the Lonely
You Got It
Handle With Care
The End of the Line
GUESTS INCLUDE:
Johnny Cash
Barbara Orbison
Olivia Harrison
Tom Petty
Jeff Lynne
Joe Walsh
David Lynch
Bernie Taupin
Gerry Marsden
Elvis Costello
Robin Gibb
Bono
Bill Wyman
and more.
Media
Cast & Crew
Actors:
- Roy Orbison as self
- Tom Petty as self
- Barbara Orbison as self
- Elvis Costello as self
- Robin Gibb as self
- Bono as self
- Olivia Harrison as self
- Jeff Lynne as self
- Bill Wyman as self
- Johnny Cash as self
- Joe Walsh as self
- Bernie Taupin as Self
- Gerry Marsden as self
- Steve Jones as self
- David Lynch as self
- The Beatles as archive
- Traveling Wilburys as archive
Director: Steve Cole
Producer: Chris Hunt
Producer: Doug Zwick
Additional Details
Label: Stanza Media
Genre: Pop/Rock
Language: English
Run Time: 55:56 mins
Region: 0
Release Date: 10/09/26
UPC: 760137217787