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Roy Orbison Jr Net Worth | How Much Is He Worth?

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Do you want to know about Roy Orbison Jr net worth, career, achievements and interesting trivia about his life?  You will be glad you read this article.

The son of the legendary rock n’ roller is an estimable producer, guitarist and singer-songwriter in his own right. He has continued in the steps of his father, the venerable Traveling Wilbury, Roy Orbison and built a strong net worth.

In addition to his formidable music career, Roy Orbison Jr.’s endeavors include his positions as a co-founder of the label Roy’s Boys and the president of Still Working Music. Roy Orbison Jr.’s net worth has greatly benefited from his varied portfolio.

He also co-produced a tribute in memory of his father Roy Orbison Jr., called Roy Orbison: The Ultimate Collection, released in 2016.

Who is Roy Orbison Jr.?

 

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Roy Orbison Jr. is one of the sons of the late famous artist Orbison Jr. His peculiar family background (the son of a musician and a music business executive/producer) influenced his life greatly since he chose to build a career in the same sphere his parents were best known for.

He is also the godson of legendary country-rock artist Johnny Cash and his wife June Carter Cash. He has also helped sustain and maintain his father’s legacy, whose songs are still widely loved and have been adopted into the soundtrack of recent films that have been in the spotlight, such as A Star Is Born and Aqua Man.

Some of Orbison Jr.’s notable life occurrences also serendipitously mirror his dad and mum. Just like his dad, Orbison Jr.’s met the love of his life in a country abroad. This happened after an arduous period in his life. Likewise, Orbison Jr.’s venture into music publishing mirrors his mom’s sojourn into the music business.

He continues to be a significant player in the music industry due to his profound and extensive knowledge about archival country and rock and roll, which includes such notable rock acts like Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and the artist roster associated with the legendary Sun Records. His knowledge stems from his immersion in the culture from a young age.

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Roy Orbison Jr.: Place of Birth and Early Life

Roy Orbison Jr. was born on October 18th, 1970, in Nashville, Tennessee, to parents Roy Orbison (his father) and mother, Barbara Orbison. From a young age, just by his parents being rock stars, he got insider knowledge about the music business.

For example, he got to travel on the tour bus with his father during his father’s major role as a member of the Traveling Wilburys. This group consisted of other legendary rock acts like Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and George Harrison.

Orbison Jr. spent his first few years as a young child in England. He was five years old when he was invited on stage by his late father and handed him a guitar. No wonder Orbison Jr net worth is now worthy of knowing. Keeping with the family tradition, the first song he learned to play was “You Are My Sunshine,” just like his father and grandfather before him.

His proficiency with the guitar only improved from thereon, and he later moved back to America in 1984 Los Angeles. In 1987, he wrote a song with Bono, the Irish rock band U2.

Roy Orbison Jr.’s Career

Roy Orbison Jr. and Barbara Orbison at the induction ceremony for Roy Orbison into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood, CA. 01-29-10

Roy Orbison Jr. and Barbara Orbison at the induction ceremony for Roy Orbison into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood, CA. 01-29-10. Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Roy Orbison Jr’s net worth and career have benefited immensely from his ingenuity as an artist and savvy music business trailblazer and his background. He currently presides over Still Working Music Group, a music publishing firm home to suck well-known hitmakers like Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Blake Shelton and Tim McGraw.

A significant hallmark of his career is his commitment to maintaining the reputation and appreciation of his father’s work. For example, he once curated a compilation of his father’s greatest hits, and it charted in the top 20 in the UK. He also co-wrote a book titled “The Authorized Roy Orbison” in honor of his father, and the book was a best-seller.

He also organized a hologram tour for his late father. His father and Buddy Holly were re-imagined during the tour for contemporary audiences who may not have been fortunate to have had the chance to see both acts while they were alive.

Orbison Jr. oversaw the creation of a four-disc retrospective in 2008 titled ‘The Soul of Rock & Roll’ and a second collection followed in 2016, titled ‘Roy Orbison: The Ultimate Collection.

He has also mastered some of his father’s unreleased recordings, intending to distribute them.

The TV show ‘Strange Inheritance’ on Fox Business Network profiled this unique process. In addition, the song ‘The Way is Love” was included in the 25th-anniversary reissue of his father’s 1989 album ‘Mystery Girl.’

In 2016, Orbison Jr. worked as the co-producer for his father’s biopic ‘The Big O: Roy Orbison’, which Ray Gideon and Bruce Evans wrote.

Roy Orbison Jr. is also the creator and host of a podcast show titled “The Roy Orbison Jr.’s Rock & Roll Circus,” where he discusses the work of legendary artists and dives into their unique styles and songs with show guests.

He also played a crucial role in launching “Pretty Woman the Musical.” The musical was brought to life in several major cities such as Barcelona, New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, London and Hamburg.
Roy Orbison Jr also spearheaded a series of Royal Philharmonic Orchestra albums (especially Unchained Melodies and A Love So Beautiful).

He was responsible for playing several instruments on the record alongside his brothers Alex and Wesley and his son Roy Orbison III, a ten-month-old baby at the time. His wives also helped with backing vocals.

Orbison Jr. was also a part of the Netflix show Below the Deck. He made appearances in both Season 5 and Season 6 of the show. Below, the Deck features young individuals who work privately owned yachts and vessels.

They try to please their clients despite the on going changing requirements of their clients. They get to meet famous and wealthy people and visit several locations worldwide.

Orbison enjoyed his time working with the show crew and claimed that he and his wife were big fans of the show and the captain of the yacht in the tv series Captain Sandy Yawn.

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Roy Orbison Jr.’s Net Worth

Roy Orbison Jr. net worth was amassed from different music business avenues. Roy Orbison Jr net worth is estimated at $3.5 million. Apart from making significant earnings from writing songs and producing records, he owns two companies.

He is the president of a music publishing company founded by his mum “Still Working Music” and the co-founder of “Roy’s Boys.” Orbison Jr. has also successfully launched the careers of several artists from which he earns royalties.

He also handles his father’s recording legacy/rights, and he earns income due to his status as a direct heir. Book sales, concert ticket sales, and royalties from his father’s music are avenues of income for Orbison Jr. too.

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Roy Orbison Jr.’s Love Life and Family

Roy Orbison is married to Asa Hallgreen, a Swedish citizen he met on one of his travels in Stockholm. Hallgreen and Orbison Jr. first met in a bar back in 2013 and hit things off immediately. She was out in a bar that night with a friend but got comfortable with him after a conversation that night so much she chose to hang out with him.

That particular encounter led to several hours of phone calls between them to bridge the distance between Sweden and the US. She later moved in with him after careful consideration, and they got married in a special ceremony performed by Johnny Cash’s son in 2017 at Cash’s cabin.

Roy Orbison Jr. had credited Asa Hallgreen for being a beacon of light that appeared when he felt very alone after losing his mother, Barbara Orbison, to pancreatic cancer in 2011. They both share two lovely sons: Roy Orbison III and Bo Orbison.

Roy Orbison Jr. has two brothers: Wesley Orbison Jr. and Alex Orbison. Wesley is also a singer and helps manage their father’s recordings. Alex is also a drummer, writer and director.

Roy Orbison Jr.’s Father’s Legacy

 

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Roy Orbison Jr.’s father was an enigmatic figure in rock n’ roll circles and was one of the most popular and successful artists ever. He had a widely loved passionate vocal style, and most of his songs tend to be dark ballads. His distinctive trademark was his dark sunglasses.

His style has been described as operatic, which motivated his nicknames such as “the Caruso of Rock” and “The Big O.”

Roy Orbison broke away from the gender norms and behavior expected of male artists since he was one of the first male artists of his generation who showed unfiltered vulnerability. In addition, his trademark dark sunglasses served as a personal defense mechanism that helped him overcome his shyness and stage fright.

Roy Orbison’s success started in the 1960s when he performed as a rockabilly and country singer-songwriter. He shortly became famous after songs like “Only the Lonely,” “Running Scared,” “Crying,” “In Dreams,” and “Oh, Pretty Woman.” The latter became his signature song.

After his success during the 1960s, his career took a downward turn. However, his career enjoyed a second wind of success during the ‘80s due to several successful covers of his old songs. In 1988, the Traveling Wilburys was founded with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne.

The hit romantic comedy ‘Pretty Woman’ was released in 1990 and named after Orbison’s famous song, further increasing his popularity.

Roy Orbison’s signature dark glasses were a corrective tool for his poor eyesight. He began dyeing his originally white hair dark since he was self-conscious about maintaining congruity between his glasses and hair.

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Roy Orbison was involved in two separate marriages during his lifetime. In 1957, he married Claudette Frady, but they divorced in 1964 due to her infidelities. They reconciled ten months later but divorced later in 1966.

Roy Orbison later married a German lady, Barbara Jakobs (mother of Roy Orbison Jr.), and they remained married until he passed away in 1988. Barbara later died in 2011 from pancreatic cancer, with precisely 23 years in between her death and Roy Orbison’s death.

Orbison’s children with his first wife Claudette also tragically died during a house fire that occurred at their home in Hendersonville, Tennessee, while Roy Orbison was away in Bournemouth, UK, touring.

The surviving kid from his first marriage Wesley (born in 1965), was later raised by Orbison’s parents.
Driven by his career resurgence in the late 1980s, Orbison intended to write an autobiography and hoped to have a hand in a biopic with Martin Sheen, his desired choice to play him.

Complaints about pains in his chest preceded Orbison’s death. He confided in Johnny Cash before traveling to Europe to receive an award and playing a show in Antwerp, Belgium.

Orbison’s health kept deteriorating, causing his Boston club manager to worry about him, but he managed to complete the show. His hectic schedule continued with a performance at Front Row Theater in Ohio on December 4th before flying to London to film some music videos after a couple of days of rest in his home in Hendersonville.

On December 6th, 1988, Orbison died of a heart attack after hanging out with his sons and having dinner at his mother’s home. He was 52 years of age.

Roy Orbison Jr Net Worth Summary

NameRoy Orbison Jr.
Birth DateOctober 18, 1970
ZodiacLibra
GenderMale
Net Worth$3.5million
Height5’11” (180 cm)
weight71kg (156.5 pounds)
Hair ColorLight Brown
Eye ColorBlue