Barbara Orbison, the widow and manager of rock n’ roll pioneer Roy Orbison, passed away on December 6, 2011, at the age of 61. She died of pancreatic cancer at a Los Angeles medical center, on the same day as her husband’s death anniversary
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A Love Story That Survived Tragedy
Barbara Orbison was born as Barbara Anne Marie Wellhöner Jakobs on January 10, 1950, in Bielefeld, Germany She met Roy Orbison when she was 17 years old, at a nightclub in Leeds, England, where he was performing during his UK tour They fell in love at first sight and married nine months later, on March 25, 1969, in Hendersonville, Tennessee
Their marriage was tested by tragedy, as Roy Orbison lost two of his three sons from his previous marriage in a house fire, only a few weeks after meeting Barbara He also suffered from health problems, such as angina and glaucoma, and struggled with his career in the 1970s Barbara Orbison stood by his side and supported him through his difficulties. She also helped him raise their two sons, Roy Kelton Orbison Jr. (born 1970) and Alexander Orbi Orbison (born 1975)
A Businesswoman Who Revived Her Husband’s Legacy
Barbara Orbison was not only a devoted wife and mother, but also a savvy entrepreneur, music producer and publisher. She managed her husband’s career in the 1980s and was the executive producer of his 1987 album, In Dreams: The Greatest Hits, and his 1988 televised music special, Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night
She also worked with friend and fellow artist Jeff Lynne to assemble the posthumous release of the King of Hearts album in 1992, which featured duets with k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt, and Elvis Costello She co-produced Only the Lonely: The Roy Orbison Story, a European stage musical that premiered in 1995
She took charge of her husband’s business affairs and dedicated herself to promoting his music to subsequent generations1 She founded Still Working Music, a Nashville-based music publishing company that employs songwriters such as Tommy Lee James and Chase Bryant She also produced Damien Leith’s album, Roy: A Tribute to Roy Orbison, which was released in 2011 to coincide with Roy Orbison’s 75th birthday
She was also involved with charitable causes in aid of the homeless. In 1990, she produced a Roy Orbison tribute at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles that raised more than $1 million for the city’s homeless. She personally funded “Orbison House”, a 21-unit residence for the mentally impaired homeless of Los Angeles
A Legacy That Lives On
Barbara Orbison passed away on December 6, 2011, the same day as her husband’s death anniversary. She was buried next to him at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles She is survived by her sons Wesley Orbison, Roy Kelton Orbison Jr. and Alexander Orbison
She left behind a legacy of love, music, and philanthropy that will continue to inspire and touch many people. She was a remarkable woman who devoted her life to her husband and his music, and who kept his spirit alive for the world to enjoy. She was a true partner, a loyal friend, and a loving mother. She was Barbara Orbison, the widow of Roy Orbison.
