Roy Orbison Jr. is a multifaceted producer, author, guitarist, songwriter, and the son of legendary rock and roll icon Roy Orbison—an inductee of both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a recipient of the Musicians Hall of Fame’s Iconic Riff Award, and a multiple GRAMMY® Award winner. He is also the son of Barbara Orbison, a German-born, influential music businesswoman. With his father’s career spanning eight decades and earning #1 hits in countries around the world, Roy Orbison Sr.’s musical legacy is undeniable. Roy Jr.’s godparents were none other than Johnny and June Carter Cash.
Music has been a constant in Roy Jr.’s life, much like it was for his legendary parents and godparents. Following in his mother’s footsteps, he runs one of the largest independent music publishing companies and is a passionate curator of his father’s extensive and iconic catalog. Despite his father’s passing over 30 years ago, Roy Sr.’s influence lives on, particularly through award-winning films such as A Star Is Born, You’ve Got Mail, Star Trek, and Aquaman, all of which are managed by Roy Jr.
From growing up surrounded by rock legends like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and George Harrison of the Traveling Wilburys to co-writing a song with Bono of U2 at just 17 years old, Roy Jr. has had a front-row seat to rock and roll history. Today, he is renowned for his deep knowledge of rock’s past, including the legacies of his father, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Traveling Wilburys, Johnny Cash, and Sun Records.
Roy Orbison Jr. serves as the President of Still Working Music Group, home to some of the most successful songwriters behind hits for superstars like Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Celine Dion, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, One Direction, Blake Shelton, and Gwen Stefani. He is also a co-author of The Authorized Roy Orbison and the creator and host of the Roy Orbison Jr.’s Rock & Roll Circus podcast. A popular TV personality, he appears regularly on AXS TV’s music countdown shows and as a recurring guest on the globally broadcast BRAVO hit Below Deck Mediterranean, which reaches over 120 million viewers.
Roy Jr. has also made his mark in the music world as a guitarist, playing on the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra albums Unchained Melodies and A Love So Beautiful. His efforts were key in bringing his father’s legacy to new generations through the first-ever hologram tour, which reimagined performances by both Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly. Roy Jr. also played a significant role in launching Pretty Woman: The Musical, which brings the story behind his father’s iconic song to the stage in cities like New York, Los Angeles, London, and Hamburg.
Recently, Roy Orbison Jr. has found new creative success as a performer in his own right, collaborating with his wife, Åsa Orbison, in a jazz band. The couple’s reinterpretation of Roy Sr.’s classic song “Blue Bayou,” released as the title track of Åsa’s debut album, offers a fresh, jazzy spin on the beloved hit. Produced by Roy Jr., this version incorporates extended 7th chords and jazz substitutions, blending Scandinavian influences with a classic American tune. The track features contributions from music legends like saxophonist Jim Horn and harmonica virtuoso Charlie McCoy, offering a dynamic and contemporary take on a timeless classic.