Even icons have their own idols, and for Elvis Presley, the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, one artist stood above the rest with the “greatest voice in the world”.
The two artists had risen to fame during the same period, often competing on the charts, but Elvis never hesitated to praise his inspiration’s remarkable abilities.
During one of his Las Vegas performances, Elvis reportedly said Roy Orbison had the “most perfect voice”, and referred to him as the “greatest singer in the world”. Given Presley’s own reputation as one of the most famous singers of all time, this was no small compliment.
Orbison’s ability to convey deep emotion through his powerful yet effortless vocals set him apart from other artists of the time. His songs often featured soaring melodies that few could replicate – like ‘Crying’, ‘Only the Lonely’, and ‘In Dreams’, where he showcased his signature operatic style.
Many other legendary musicians including The Beatles, U2, and Led Zeppelin, also cited Orbison as a major influence. The Beatles’ early hit ‘Please Please Me’ was directly inspired by Orbison’s music, as John Lennon admitted when speaking to Playboy in 1980: “‘Please Please Me’ is my song completely. It was my attempt at writing a Roy Orbison song, would you believe it? I heard Roy Orbison doing ‘Only The Lonely’ or something. That’s where that came from”.
While Presley held Orbison in high regard, the admiration was mutual. Orbison first saw Elvis perform in the mid-1950s, long before either had reached their full potential as artists.
It was at a concert in Odessa, Texas, in 1955, and for Orbison, “his energy was incredible, his instinct was just amazing”. He added: “I just didn’t know what to make of it. There was just no reference point in the culture to compare it.”
As their careers took off, Presley and Orbison found themselves competing in the music industry. Both artists were chart-toppers, frequently dominating the airwaves. Yet, rather than fostering rivalry, their competition seemed to strengthen their mutual admiration.
Orbison recalled attending another one of Elvis’s early concerts, where he was mesmerized by the audience’s reaction. He described how fans were instantly drawn to Presley’s presence: “I couldn’t overemphasize how shocking he looked and seemed to me that night” Orbison said.
“He told jokes that weren’t funny, and his diction was real coarse like a truck driver’s. [There was] pandemonium in the audience because the girls took a shine to him and the guys were getting a little jealous.”
Despite the ups and downs of their careers, Presley and Orbison’s respect for each other never faded. Years after their initial rise to fame, the two reunited, proving that their friendship had stood the test of time. Orbison described the moment fondly: “We hadn’t seen each other in years. He hugged me. We talked about everything.”