Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night

Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night is an acclaimed 1988 Cinemax television special originally broadcast on HBO starring Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll pioneer singer/songwriter Roy Orbison.

Related Topics:
1988 - Cinemax - HBO - Rock and Roll - Roy Orbison

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Described as a cinematographic masterpiece, the performance at the Ambassador Hotel's "Cocoanut Grove" in Los Angeles was taped on September 30, 1987 as a tribute to Orbison's more than thirty-year contribution to Rock and Roll. Two songs, Blue Bayou and Claudette, were taped but not included in the broadcast due to time constraints.

Related Topics:
Ambassador Hotel - Cocoanut Grove - Los Angeles - Blue Bayou - Claudette

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Few early performers were more gifted than Roy Orbison, whose vaulting operatic tenor voice brought a haunting intensity like no other to songs of heartbreak and lost love.

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Filmed in black and white, the January 3, 1988 televised special introduced Orbison to a whole new generation of fans. Put together by musical director, T-Bone Burnett, Orbison was accompanied by a who's who supporting cast. The star-studded lineup is all the more noteworthy for the restraint with which they collaborate. All were fans, and all were volunteers who had lobbied to participate resulting in a cohesive honoring of a great star through stirring performances. And in the audience can be seen further devoted Orbison admirers, Billy Idol, Kris Kristofferson and others.

Related Topics:
T-Bone Burnett - Billy Idol - Kris Kristofferson

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On piano was Glen D. Hardin, who had played piano for Buddy Holly as well as for years for Elvis Presley. Lead guitarist, James Burton was also from Presley's group. Male background vocals with some on guitar, were: Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Steven Soles. Singing the female background vocals were k.d. lang, Jennifer Warnes, and Bonnie Raitt.

Related Topics:
Glen D. Hardin - Buddy Holly - Elvis Presley - James Burton - Bruce Springsteen - Tom Waits - Elvis Costello - Jackson Browne - J.D. Souther - Steven Soles - K.d. lang - Jennifer Warnes - Bonnie Raitt

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From this performance, Orbison's 1964 #1 hit song "Oh, Pretty Woman" was nominated for a Grammy Award for best live performance. Re-released as part of a CD bearing the same title as the television special, the song won the 1991 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Related Topics:
Oh, Pretty Woman - Grammy Award - Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

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Recorded on VHS and later DVD, the performance was used by PBS stations to assist in fund raising. It proved to be the single most successful fund raiser in PBS history.

Related Topics:
VHS - DVD - PBS

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The year following this performance, Roy Orbison died of a heart attack.

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A music album was made in 1989 by Virgin Records from the televised broadcast titled "A Black & White Night Live".

Related Topics:
Music album - Virgin Records - A Black & White Night Live

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Adapted from the article Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night, from Wikinfo, licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.

Related Topics:
Wikinfo - GNU Free Documentation License

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