Roy Orbison - In Dreams

Respectful story of a true legend

Beyond the pain and heartbreak of some of the most emotionally devastating music in pop history, Roy Orbison’s own life was touched by tragedy. His first wife died in a motorcycle accident, and not long afterwards his two young sons perished in a house fire. Both events came when The Big O’s career was in decline, making his return to the top all the more remarkable. This eye-opening documentary, fully endorsed by Orbison’s second wife and widow Barbara, tells his story with no spin, charting his brief tenures at Sun and RCA, before scaling stratospheric heights with Monument. Archive TV and home movie footage show a man of great character and humility, an unbridled force of nature and one of the most inspirational figures to hold a guitar. Orbison’s personal difficulties are addressed with little gloss, as is his willingness to troll the low-rent cabaret circuit until his triumphant return via the presence of his music in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet, and the full-scale rehabilitation afforded by the Traveling Wilburys. His death in 1988, aged just 52, at least came at a time when he was once again revered as an innovator and major star. In that respect, it could be regarded as a happy ending.

SonyBMG | 88697092619

Reviewed by Terry Staunton
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