Roy would have been proud, I am sure of it! January 24 saw the premier of my Orbison collection at the Tempe Center for the Arts, in Tempe Arizona. This incredible 67 million dollar art center recently opened with “Mercy, A Roy Orbison Pilgrimage”. Over 150 pieces of my collection went on display for the first time in this gorgeous arts center.
The opening of the show was part of the tribute to Roy being given by Arizona State University. They gave Roy a lifetime achievement award and Barbara, his wife, a legacy award. Barbara was in attendance at the opening of the exhibit along with singer/songwriter, Bill Dees, Roy K Orbison Jr., Wesley Orbison and Howard Kramer, curator of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. It was a star studded night with family and friends or Roy. Dr. Peter Lehman, author and film professor at ASU, was the brainchild behind the entire weekend.
Photographer, Dave Shoenfelt was asked by ASU to shoot then entire event and many of the photos can be seen on his website at www.shoenfelt.com under the events section. Dave took the, now famous, “last wave” photo of Roy from his very last concert.
We concluded the evening with a showing of the movie Roadie with commentary by producer and director Zelman King and Carolyn Pfeiffer. Both worked with Roy in his cameo appearance in the movie.
Friday evening opened at the Tempe Center for the Arts main theater and saw a sell out crowd of 650 people. Tickets could not be had. It was a standing room only crowd. The show opened with the group Truly Lover Trio doing Roy’s hits from rockabilly to selections from his final album, Mystery Girl. Barbara was given her Life Time Achievement and Legacy awards after the break. A special treat was a string quartet playing a suite of Roy’s music arranged by the genius Kim Shaumberg. This brought the house down with a standing ovation.
Roy’s presence could be felt and I am sure he was smiling. It was a night that will long be remembered.
A special thanks to ASU and Tempe Center for the Arts!
Mercy……what a night!
glen
Monday, February 18, 2008
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