Introduction:
At 79, Barry Gibb, the last surviving member of the Bee Gees, has opened up about one of his greatest inspirations and friends — the legendary Roy Orbison. In a rare and emotional reflection, Gibb revealed how Orbison’s haunting voice and unmatched artistry shaped his own journey in music and left an indelible mark on his heart.
“Roy had one of the most extraordinary voices I’ve ever heard,” Barry said. “It wasn’t just singing — it was as if he was pulling something out of the heavens. You could feel every ounce of pain, joy, and longing in that voice. Nobody could do what Roy could do.”
Gibb recalled discovering Orbison’s music as a young man, long before global fame with his brothers Robin and Maurice. Songs like *Crying*, *Only the Lonely*, and *Oh, Pretty Woman* taught him the power of honesty and emotion in music. “Roy’s songs weren’t just catchy — they were heartbreaking,” Barry reflected. “He had this way of singing about loneliness and loss that made you feel like he was telling your own story.”
When the two finally met, Gibb described the moment as “humbling.” Offstage, Orbison was gentle and reserved, but once the microphone was in his hand, he transformed into a commanding presence. “It was like watching a man turn into something larger than life,” Gibb said. “That always amazed me.”
Their paths crossed many times throughout their careers, and Barry was struck by Orbison’s humility. “There was never any ego with Roy,” he shared. “He let the music speak, and that made him even more powerful.”
Barry also spoke about how Orbison’s career mirrored his own — from early success to personal tragedy and eventual redemption. He admired how Roy found new life in the late 1980s with the Traveling Wilburys, alongside legends like Bob Dylan and George Harrison. “Seeing Roy make that comeback was incredible,” Barry said. “It proved that true artistry never fades.”
Orbison’s sudden passing in 1988 deeply affected Gibb. “I was devastated,” he admitted. “The world lost one of its greatest treasures, but I felt lucky to have known him — to have heard that voice in person.”
Today, Barry still feels Roy’s presence whenever he writes or records. “Every time I walk into a studio, I think, ‘Would Roy approve of this?’ Because Roy never faked anything. That’s his legacy — truth through music.”
For Barry Gibb, Roy Orbison wasn’t just a singer; he was a spirit — a reminder that music’s deepest power lies in its honesty. And even decades later, that truth still echoes in every note Barry sings.