I was in my last year of school, 1965, and we held a 'Stars In their Eyes' style concert. I was billed as Billa Sack (Cilla Black) complete with dress and shoes..., I've never been the same since! However, someone played Roy Orbison's 'Indian wedding', the 'B' side to It's Over'. I was hooked! In 1966 I was in the Army driving Tanks in BAOR and I bought my first Roy Orbison Album, 'The Orbison Way' which cemented me forever to that astounding voice and impeccable story telling.

By 1973 I was back in Civvy Street and took every oportunity to see Roy Orbison's concerts wherever I was able. On one such occasion I was waiting outside the stage door of the Liverpool Empire Theatre. When Roy arrived with his band I shouted a 'hello' to Terry Widlake, Roy's Bass Guitarist, and he handed me a backstage pass. From that time, I never looked back and went backstage in many venues around the UK meeting Roy before or after his show.

In 1975 I travelled to Hornchurch in Essex to see Roy perform at the Queens Theatre, a one off special for fans. The fan club presented him with a solid gold bracelet embedded with eighty diamonds spelling ROY. I wore that bracelet the night before the presentation (see pic'). I attended T.V. recordings at he BBC and ITV in various studios over the years and  I last saw him, in his dressing room, pre show, in 1987 at Southport, Merseyside. 

In 1992 whilst working as a DJ in a large club I heard, by pure chance, Roy's track, 'I Drove All Night' something I had only previously heard by Cindy Lauper. It was relased on an album restricted to the USA and Germany and Virgin Records flatly refused my request for a copy. I contacted Roy's Widow, Barbara, at the Malibu home and received a call a few days later. The disc was in the post and, following a long conversation about Roy, his music, my association and my DJ Role (I said I would be playing the track to my audiences) the decision not to release the track as a single was reversed and it has since become a global hit for Roy and Celine Dion.

From aged fifteen and all my life I have listened to and sung along with all Roy's recordings. It has acted as a vocal tutorial and I now take immense pleasure from recreating those magic songs the best way I can. I hope that I get the opportunity to perform for you some time, some where. Try asking your favourite music venue to consider booking  'ORBISONGS' from January 2024.