It seemed only fitting that Barbara Orbison would die on the anniversary of her beloved husband Roy Orbison’s death in 1988. She remained devoted to him and his music when she herself passed Dec. 6th in Los Angeles from pancreatic cancer--23 years to the day after Roy Orbison died of a heart attack.

In the intervening years, Barbara Orbison, who was 61, worked hard to keep her husband’s music alive while developing her publishing company’s catalog--and making lifelong friends.

“Barbara was so beautiful and charming that people often wouldn’t realize how smart she was,” says Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Cynthia Weil. “I adored her.” Weil’s observations and sentiments are echoed by all who knew Orbison.

“She was a beautiful, smart, savvy woman who was also a formidable force in the business world and developed Roy’s songs into a publishing and merchandising empire,” notes Songwriters Hall of Fame president/CEO Linda Moran. “Everyone knew and everyone loved Barbara--you felt very special being her friend.”

Del Bryant, president/CEO of the BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) performing rights organization, was long close to Orbison, his parents Felice and Boudleaux Bryant being the songwriting team behind The Everly Brothers and other artists including Roy Orbison.

“Barbara Orbison’s passion for her beloved Roy’s otherworldly voice and extraordinary gift for writing songs has never been in question,” says Bryant. “Her love for and belief in the gentle and shy soul behind the trademark dark glasses helped elevate him from star to pop culture icon. In fact, Barbara could have taught a Harvard Business School course in global branding: She was always ‘working for the man’ and for the beautiful sons they shared. Her feverish work ethic, take-no-prisoners style and success ultimately made her as iconic as Roy. She was totally unique and our only solace is that our ‘pretty woman’ joins the love of her life, on the anniversary of his death. Now that’s true love.”

Bryant references, of course, Roy Orbison’s immortal 1964 hit “Oh, Pretty Woman.” Barbara Orbison, as the song’s publisher, was particularly proud of the copyright--and particularly successful in perpetuating it internationally.

“Here’s a song written and recorded such a long time ago, and then Roy passes on and then we have a movie called Pretty Woman and then his version from A Black & White Night Live gets a [1990] Grammy,” she told Billboard in 2003. “And now all of a sudden I get a call from India, which is so far away from our culture. It gives another lifetime to our copyright.”

She was referring to “Oh, Pretty Woman“‘s placement in the Bollywood blockbuster Kal Ho Naa Ho, and it’s India-wide popularity as the soundtrack’s biggest song.

“She was so in touch with the business and kept Roy’s spirit alive,” says Billy Burnette, whose song “(All I Can Do is) Dream You” was performed in the stellar Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night 1988 TV special. “She was a brilliant person and so generous--and gave a lot to the business.”

Burnette was published via Orbison for 12 years; his songs were recorded by the likes of Faith Hill, Alan Jackson and George Strait, who hit No. 1 with his “River Of Love.”

“What can I say? She was just a great friend as well as business partner--as beautiful inside as out,” continues Burnette. “I will miss her forever.”

Concludes Moran: “Her powerful spirit will live on in the hearts and souls of all of those whose lives she touched.”

As if all that weren’t enough, a series of video tributes were featured throughout the show, including homages to Holly from Keith Richards, Ringo Starr, Natalie Merchant, Jackson Browne, Brian Wilson, Pat Monahan (of Train), Imelda May, and the one and only Eric Idle, of Monty Python’s Flying Circus fame.  Both the Listen to Me album and concert DVD generate support for the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the GRAMMY Foundation/Grammy Camps, and Artists’ House Music for programs that support the development of the next generation of music’s greats.  SHOF rep Mary Jo Mennella and SHoF Holly Prize winner, Laura Warshauer, were acknowledged during the concert and Laura joined the all star cast in a grand finale of “That’ll Be The Day.”

Preview the concert and learn more about the album and project.

David was born September 3, 1952 in Long Island NY to Russell Sanjek and Elizabeth TarpeySanjek, both of whom preceded him in death.  He is survived by brothers Roger (Lani) of New York NY and Rick of Nashville TN.

A world recognized authority on music archiving, since 2007 he had served as the head of the Popular Music Research Centre and a professor in the School of Media, Music and Performance at Salford University in England. He previously served as the Director ofthe BMI Archives in New York for sixteen years. He had a Ph.D. in American Literature from Washington University in St Louis. 

He had also served as an advisor to The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Rhythm & Blues Foundation, The Blues Foundation, The Experience Music Project Museum and on several committees for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).

He was blessed with an ebullient spirit and expansive mind.  He willingly and enthusiastically shared his vast wealth of knowledge with all those who shared his thirst for learning.  His particular passion was for the creators of music in all genres, but particularly in American roots music.  He was proactive throughout his life as a champion for their just compensation and public recognition.

Dr. Sanjek was a long-time friend of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, providing years of assistance with questions related to the history of Popular Music.

Plans for a memorial service are still under discussion.  In lieu of flowers or other consideration, please make any donations to the MusicCares program of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Frey then took the audience on a magical ride through his early days of collaborations with celebrated songwriters the likes of Jackson Browne, JD Souther and, ultimately, Don Henley, along with some of his other influences, one of whom was Joni Mitchell who, he said, taught him a “love of words.” Frey imparted key insights into his method of songwriting, at one point saying “don’t tell me how you feel, tell me a story.” He said one of the many ways he learned his craft was by dissecting other hits; taking songs apart to see how they were put together and what made them work. Throughout the session, Phil Galdston periodically played bits of some of The Eagles iconic hits to illustrate Frey’s stories, such as “Lying Eyes,” “Life In The Fast Lane,” and the inimitable “Hotel California,” also featuring a great cover by the Gypsy Kings. Frey took to the keys himself now and then, and ended the night on guitar, playing one of his most touching songs, a collaboration with Jack Tempchin, “It’s Your World Now.”

It was most certainly an evening to be remembered, and look for news of more to come in the ongoing series of Songwriters Hall of Fame Master Sessions at NYU.

Photos by Chianan Yen, Courtesy NYU Steinhardt