BARBARA ORBISON 1951- 2011

Barbara Orbison

LOS ANGELES, CA - December 6, 2011: Barbara Orbison, widow of Rock and Roll legend, Roy Orbison, passed away today after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. She was 60 years old. Barbara was diagnosed with the disease on April 20, 2011 at the Mayo Clinic. In May of 2011, she was admitted to USC Medical Center in Los Angeles under the supervision of Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz, Associate Director of the USC/Norris Gastrointestinal Oncology Program. On May 13, Barbara underwent the Whipple surgical procedure, performed by Dr. Yuri Genyk. Following her surgery and chemotherapy, Barbara was optimistic about her recovery, but complications from the cancer ultimately resulted in a final re-admittance to USC Medical Center in mid-November. She died peacefully there today with her sons, Roy Kelton Orbison, Jr. (41) and Alexander Orbison (36) by her side.

Ironically, Barbara was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just days before Roy Orbison's landmark 75th birthday (April 23rd). Roy and Barbara Orbison had a devoted and enduring love affair, ultimately passing away on the same day, 23 years apart.

For more than two decades Barbara has managed the music empire she built as Roy Orbison's manager, keeping his legacy alive. Most recently, Barbara was exceedingly proud of the acclaimed box set she produced with Roy Kelton Orbison, Jr, titled "Roy Orbison: The Soul of Rock and Roll" (Sony Legacy 2008). This 4-CD package marked the first all-inclusive body of Roy's work from his earliest recordings to the Traveling Wilbury's debut album, "Mystery Girl" (Virgin) and his last live performance. Throughout this time period, Barbara also became a respected businesswoman in her own right, developing a diverse music industry empire in Nashville, Tennessee. Barbara's Still Working Music publishing company has consistently represented some of the industry's most successful songwriters and was recently awarded BMI'S 2010 Song of the Year for Taylor Swift's "You Belong to Me."

In 2009, Barbara was able to fulfill a lifelong dream with the creation of her own fragrance, Pretty Woman Perfume. She was intimately involved with every step of the development from the blend of scents and the classic design of the bottle to the international marketing sales and promotion of the perfume.

Born Barbara Anne Marie Wellhöner Jakobs in Bielefeld, Germany, Barbara was just 17 when she met Roy Orbison (32) at a nightclub in Leeds, England in 1968. Despite the "British Invasion," American rocker, Orbison, was topping the charts in the UK as well as the U.S. with such smash hits as "Pretty Woman," "Running Scared," and "Crying." Roy and Barbara married a year later in Henderson, Tennessee. They raised their three sons in Nashville and Malibu, California.

Barbara Orbison will be buried next to her husband at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Following a private graveside service, the family will announce plans for a Celebration of Life reception at the BMI offices in Nashville, Tennessee. Donations in Barbara Orbison's memory can be made to the Roy Orbison Foundation, c/o Leeann Hard, Forté Management, 725 Arizona Ave., Ste 206, Los Angeles, CA 90401, 310-394-5020, x102, leeann@forte.com. The family requests that messages be sent to: barbara.orbison@orbison.com

SongLink Editor David Stark commented, "I'd known Barbara for many years not only as a longtime subscriber and supporter of SongLink, but also as a friend and colleague whom I first met in 1988 with her late husband Roy, just weeks before his untimely passing. It's unbelievable that Barbara should pass away on the anniversary of his death, and my thoughts are with her family, friends and staff at Barbara Orbison Productions and Roy Orbison Music. I will always remember Barbara as a very special lady who not only flew the flag for Roy's life & music for all these years, but also as a part-time songwriter herself, and especially as a good friend with a big heart and great sense of humour.

"As many people know I also play drums, and in 2009 my band was honoured to headline the special Roy Orbison Birthday Bash at London's Gibson Guitar Studio, while on April 23rd this year we played the official Roy Orbison 75th Birthday Bash at The Castle in London NW11, for which Barbara's key executives Tanja Crouch and Mandy Haynes gave us 100% support. By coincidence my current band The Trembling Wilburys are playing the same venue this Sunday 11th December, which will now be a triple-tribute to honour the memories of Barbara & Roy Orbison, along with George Harrison. We will all miss her."

Links:

Orbison Productions

Roy Orbison home page

The Trembling Wilburys