Definition

Proper noun: * Roy Orbison: An American singer, songwriter, and musician, renowned for his powerful, operatic voice and his contributions to rock and roll and rockabilly music, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • "Roy Orbison" is often called "The Big O" and is famous for his dark sunglasses.
  • The song "Oh, Pretty Woman" was a global hit for Roy Orbison.
  • Many musicians cite Roy Orbison as a major influence on their work.

Advanced Usage

• "an Orbison song": A song written or famously performed by Roy Orbison, typically characterized by emotional depth and dramatic vocal delivery.
  • The band decided to cover an Orbison song for their encore.
• "in the style of Orbison": Describing a musical performance that emulates his distinctive vocal power and melancholic style.
  • The singer delivered the ballad in the style of Orbison.

Variants and Related Words

• Orbisonian (adj, informal): Pertaining to or characteristic of Roy Orbison's musical style.
  • The track has an almost Orbisonian grandeur to it.

Synonyms

• The Big O (nickname): A common nickname for Roy Orbison.
• The Caruso of Rock (epithet): An epithet highlighting the operatic quality of his voice within rock music.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Only the Lonely": The title of one of his famous songs, often used to evoke a feeling of deep solitude.
  • After everyone left, he felt like the king of "Only the Lonely".
• "Crying over you": A phrase popularized by his hit song , used to express profound sadness or regret.
  • She spent the night crying over you, just like in the old song.

Noun

1. United States composer and rockabilly tenor popular in the 1950s (1936-1988)