Roy Orbison recieves star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Late rock ’n’ roll pioneer Roy Orbison was given his long-overdue due Friday when he was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The unveiling of the Walk's 2,400th landmark — which sits at the base of the famed Capitol Records tower on Vine Street, alongside stars of John Lennon and George Harrison — was attended by a gang of Orbison’s friends, family and fellow musicians. In the crowd were Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, fellow Traveling Wilbury Jeff Lynne, folk-rock legend Phil Everly, comedian Eric Idle of Monty Python, Olivia Harrison, singer-guitarist Dwight Yoakam, Wilburys drummer Jim Keltner, singer-songwriters Chris Isaak and Jason Mraz, and even filmmaker David Lynch, who famously used Orbison’s In Dreams in his film Blue Velvet. But the guests of honour on this day were Orbison’s widow Barbara and his three sons Wesley, Roy Jr. and Alex.

Blessed with an operatic five-octave voice and a dramatic songwriting style, his work influenced generations of performers and was heard and loved by millions.The power of Orbison’s influence also extended far beyond music, according to Canadian comic Dan Aykroyd, who roared up the affair on a Harley like one the singer used to ride.

Standing beneath large banners of Roy in his trademark sunglasses, Aykroyd recalled that seeing Orbison play Ottawa as a boy changed his life.

“Since then, I've worn nothing but black,” cracked Aykroyd, who was indeed sporting a black leather jacket and jeans. “And I can wear sunglasses anytime I want because Roy did.”

In addition to the Walk of Fame ceremony, Friday was proclaimed Roy Orbison Day in Hollywood in honour of his many achievements.

Born in Texas, Orbison’s first brush with success came with tunes like Ooby Dooby and Rock House, recorded for Sam Phillips’ Sun Records in Memphis. He broke through to the big time with 1960’s Only the Lonely, the first of string of hits including Oh, Pretty Woman, Crying, In Dreams, Running Scared, Dream Baby and You Got It. Along with his solo success, Orbison enjoyed a late-career resurgence as a member of The Traveling Wilburys supergroup with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty. He died of a heart attack in 1988 at age 52.