Dark Star: The Roy Orbison Story

Rating:
Summary: the brightest Dark Star ever to grace our ears
Review: Dark Star chronicles the life of the big O from boyhood. It doesnt jump about like some biographies that get lost on the way. There are comments from those who not only new and liked him but also those who were slightly put out by some decisions that were made, by others, on his behalf. Not that he agreed with those decisions e.g. going from The Candymen to Roy Orbison and the Candymen. All in all a very informative book which includes a bibliography of his singles at the back.
John Keeble U.K.

Rating:
Summary: Dark Star, Dim Author
Review: It surprises me to see so many positive reviews of this biography here. Mister Amburn never gets to know his subject, but makes wildly off-base observations Orbison's psychological make up. He also talks about Orbison's so-called big cocaine habit...What he has to back that up ONE quote from ONE person, claiming Roy TOLD him that he had done $700 worth of the drug one night. I could go on, but why bother. Ellis Amburn did a poor job of writing his book. I don't know anything more about Roy Orbison now than I did before reading the book. Hopefully, someone who can actually WRITE will attempt another bio soon.

Rating:
Summary: Dark Star, Dim Author
Review: It surprises me to see so many positive reviews of this biography here. Mister Amburn never gets to know his subject, but makes wildly off-base observations Orbison's psychological make up. He also talks about Orbison's so-called big cocaine habit...What he has to back that up ONE quote from ONE person, claiming Roy TOLD him that he had done $700 worth of the drug one night. I could go on, but why bother. Ellis Amburn did a poor job of writing his book. I don't know anything more about Roy Orbison now than I did before reading the book. Hopefully, someone who can actually WRITE will attempt another bio soon.

Rating:
Summary: music teacher and fan
Review: This was my first real read about Roy Orbison, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Living in middle TN, I knew the Orbisons lived north of Nashville. I was so into the subject that I drove to Nashville to find some of the sites mentioned in the book! (Nashville is a big place, and so far I have only visited Claudette and her children's grave at Woodlawn Cemetery). A few times, I did feel like the book through out a lot of names to keep up with, but the index helped me with any quick refreshers.
I recommend reading this book and then read Rave On, about Buddy Holly and you'll get a good idea of the early rock music activity in west Texas.