Did Roy Orbison Wear a Wig? Uncovering the Truth Behind the Iconic Hairstyle
Many fans ask a simple question: did roy orbison wear a wig? Roy Orbison, the legendary singer with the powerful voice, always appeared on stage with perfect jet-black hair. His look included dark sunglasses and a tall pompadour style. This made people curious. Was that thick, black hair real, or did he use a hairpiece? The answer is clear from reliable sources—no, he did not wear a wig. Roy dyed his natural hair black and styled it carefully. His hair was real, just changed to fit his famous image.
Roy Orbison built a mysterious stage persona. He stood still, sang emotional songs, and hid behind sunglasses. His hair played a big part in that look. Fans love his music, but they also wonder about his appearance. This article looks at the facts, his life story, and why the rumor started. You’ll learn about his career, family, and more.
Who Was Roy Orbison?
Roy Kelton Orbison was born on April 23, 1936, in Vernon, Texas. He grew up in a family that loved music. His dad worked as an oil driller, and his mom was a nurse. Roy got his first guitar at age six. By his teens, he formed bands and played local shows.
Roy started his career in the 1950s with Sun Records, the same label as Elvis Presley. His early hit was “Ooby Dooby” in 1956. Bigger success came in the 1960s with Monument Records. Songs like “Only the Lonely,” “Crying,” “In Dreams,” and “Oh, Pretty Woman” topped charts. Roy did roy orbison write his own songs? Yes, he wrote or co-wrote most of them. His voice could hit high notes and show deep emotion. People called him “The Big O” or the “Caruso of Rock.”
Roy influenced many artists, like The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan. He joined the Traveling Wilburys supergroup in the late 1980s with George Harrison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Bob Dylan. Roy earned Grammys and entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
How tall was roy orbison? He stood about 5 feet 11 inches tall. His quiet personality contrasted with his big voice.
Roy Orbison’s Iconic Look: Hair, Sunglasses, and Style
Roy’s stage image was unique. He wore all black clothes, stood very still, and used dark sunglasses. This created mystery. But his hair drew attention too.
Roy’s natural hair color was light—almost white or dishwater blond. He felt shy about it as a kid. So, he started dyeing it black early, maybe as young as 6 or 10. He kept this dark color his whole career to match his “man in black” style.
His hairstyle was a pompadour—tall and swept back. It looked perfect on stage, even in hot lights. This led to rumors. Some fans asked, “did roy orbison wear a wig?” Online discussions, like on Reddit, show people guessing from old photos.
But facts show no wig. Biographies and interviews confirm he dyed and styled real hair. In later years, he grew it longer and wore a ponytail sometimes. Photos from different angles prove it was natural.
Here are key facts about his look:
- Hair: Dyed jet black from light blond; styled into pompadour.
- Sunglasses: Started after forgetting regular glasses on a plane in 1963. He needed thick lenses for poor eyesight.
- Clothes: Mostly black to hide shyness and create drama.
- No wig: Sources like Wikipedia and fan sites agree it was real hair.
Rare photos show roy orbison without glasses. They reveal his kind face and prove the sunglasses were for vision and style.
Why Do People Think Roy Orbison Wore a Wig?
The rumor comes from how perfect his hair looked. In the 1960s, big hairstyles were common, but Roy’s stayed neat. Some articles speculate because it resisted sweat or aging signs. A 1963 photo with The Beatles sparked comments—his hair looked stiff.
Forums discuss it. One Reddit thread about that photo says his hair seemed “weird,” but replies explain it was dye and styling. Most fans agree: no wig.
Reliable sources clear it up. His official biography notes the dye but no hairpiece. Hair experts say his thick hair held styles well.
Steps to understand the rumor:
- See old performances: Hair looks shiny from products.
- Compare young photos: Light hair dyed dark.
- Read biographies: No mention of wigs.
- Check fan talks: Most say real.
The mystery adds to his legend, like why he wore sunglasses.
Roy Orbison’s Personal Life: Family and Tragedies
Roy’s life had joy and deep sadness. He married twice and had children1.
First roy orbison spouse was Claudette Frady, married in 1957. They divorced briefly but remarried. Did roy orbison have any children? Yes, three sons with Claudette: Roy DeWayne (1958), Anthony King (1962), and Wesley (1965). How many children did roy orbison have? Five total. Did roy orbison have a daughter? No, all sons.
Tragedy struck often. Claudette died in a motorcycle crash in 1966. In 1968, a house fire killed two sons, Roy DeWayne and Anthony, while Roy toured. Wesley survived, raised by grandparents.
Roy married Barbara Jakobs in 1969. They had two sons: Roy Kelton Jr. (1970) and Alexander (1975). Barbara helped revive his career until her death in 2011.
How did roy orbison die? From a heart attack on December 6, 1988, at age 52. He had heart issues and underwent bypass surgery in 1978.
His losses inspired emotional songs like “Crying.”
Career Highlights and Achievements
Roy sold millions of records. Here are top hits:
- “Only the Lonely” (1960) – His first big one.
- “Running Scared” (1961)
- “Crying” (1961)
- “Oh, Pretty Woman” (1964) – Biggest seller.
In the 1980s, he returned strong. “You Got It” (1989) came after his death but hit charts. He won Grammys, including for a duet with Emmylou Harris.
Roy joined Traveling Wilburys for fun hits like “Handle with Care.”
Why the Wig Rumor Persists Today
Fans search “did roy orbison wear a wig” out of curiosity. Old photos and perfect hair fuel it. But evidence points to no.
For more, check discussions like this Reddit thread on a 1963 Beatles photo. Or read speculation in this article on toupee rumors.
His full story is on Wikipedia.
FAQs About Roy Orbison
Did roy orbison wear a wig?
No, Roy Orbison did not wear a wig. His iconic jet-black pompadour was real hair. He had thick, natural hair that he dyed black and styled carefully. Rumors started because it always looked perfect on stage, but reliable sources confirm it was his own hair.
What was Roy Orbison’s natural hair color?
Roy’s natural hair was light blond, almost white or “dishwater grey.” He felt shy about it as a child, so he started dyeing it black when he was young—maybe as early as age 6 or 10.
Roy orbison without glasses – what did he look like?
Rare photos show Roy without his dark sunglasses. He had a kind, gentle face with poor eyesight that needed thick lenses. He started wearing dark sunglasses on stage by accident in 1963 and kept them for his mysterious look.
How did roy orbison die?
Roy Orbison died from a heart attack on December 6, 1988, at age 52. He had heart problems earlier and had surgery in 19782.
Who was roy orbison spouse?
Roy married twice. His first wife was Claudette Frady (1957–1964, then remarried briefly). His second wife was Barbara Jakobs (1969 until his death3). Barbara helped him during his comeback.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the question “did roy orbison wear a wig” comes from his flawless look, but facts show it was real hair, dyed and styled. Roy Orbison remains a music legend for his voice and songs. His life had triumphs and heartbreak, but his music lives on. What is your favorite Roy Orbison song?
References
- Reddit Thread – Beatles with Roy Orbison 1963 – Fan discussions on his look, for trivia and pop culture enthusiasts. ↩︎
- NetworkUstad Article on Toupee Rumors – Explores hair speculation, appealing to curiosity seekers. ↩︎
- Wikipedia – Roy Orbison – Detailed biography, appearance facts, family, and career for music history fans. ↩︎
