Press Photo: Roy Orbison Jr., Barbara Orbison, Alex Orbison

Last night Dave and I attended the Roy Orbison Birthday Party celebration at the Gibson Guitar Studio in London.

There was a tribute show in honor of the late singer, with bands and artists performing songs written by Roy Orbison. Barbara Orbison, sons Alex and Roy Jr. along with 19 new artists and friends from around the world celebrated the life and music of one of music's biggest legends.

Roy Orbison Jr., Tone Damli Aaberge (Norway Pop Idol winner), Barbara Orbison, Fyfe Dangerfield, Alex Orbison

Birthday Cake

It was a pleasant surprise seeing Fyfe Dangerfield from Guillemots there, who we were happy to share a table with, along with Guillemots drummer Greig Stewart. Fyfe performed a superb rendition of "Only The Lonely".

Fyfe Dangerfield

We took quite a few pictures...I went a little crazy with the camera, but with all the other photographers there taking pictures, it felt natural to join in with the other flashes going off for each act.

Roy's son Alex Orbison MC'd the event, introducing other artists that performed their favorite Big O hits - (in order) Mary N'Daiye, Phil Marshall, Vera Bohl, Findlay Brown, Gary Nock, Ginger Redcliff, Honey Ryder, Kaycee Cole, Reid & Stanners, Netsayi, Smoke Fairies, Tone Damli Aagerge, Peter Conway, Katie Vogel (green eyed monster), Billy Burnett, Fyfe Dangerfield (Guillemots), Aruba Red, Dave Stark Five, Group - Oh Pretty Woman.

The event was supported by Epiphone in celebration of the upcoming launch the new Epiphone 12 String ‘Pretty Woman’ acoustic guitar - the Epiphone acoustic guitar was originally used by Roy when he penned that song. Other sponsors on the night include BMI, Denzyl Feigelson and his team at AWAL (Artists Without A Label).

Over 30 artists have recorded one of their favourite Orbison songs for an iTunes only album called ‘Roy Orbison Under the Covers’ which will be released worldwide from Monday 27th April, 2009.

Recent boxset Roy Orbison: The Soul Of Rock and Roll is also available on iTunes world wide.

Roy Orbison Official Website
Gibson Official Website

Buy Music:

Roy Orbison on amazon.com

Roy Orbison on amazon.co.uk

Mary N'Diaye - "Oh Pretty Woman"

Findlay Brown

Gary Nock - "You Got It"

Honey Ryder - "Love In Time"

Kaycee Cole - "In Dreams"

The Smoke Fairies - "It's Over"

Peter Conway - "There Won't Be Many Coming Home"

Katie Vogel - “Blue Bayou”

Billy Burnett (ex Fleetwood Mac) w/ Alex Orbison on Drums - "Ooby Dooby"

Fyfe Dangerfield - "Only The Lonely"

Aruba Red (Jack Bruce's daughter) - "You Fool You"

After the show Dave, Greig Stewart and I went to a club somewhere in London. Greig and Dave sat in with an impromptu band that included Seb from Keyboard Choir on sax and keyboard, Dave played harmonica and Greig on drums. I wanted to sing, but didn't know how to go about getting the mic away from the singer. Oh well! We ended up at Guillemots studio after a great night of live music, which ended in my first card game of Snap.

Dave passed out at Guillemots studio

Photo Credit: Dave Tommo / Jenny May

By: Jenny May - BandWeblogs.com