born April 23, 1936, Vernon, Texas, U.S.
died Dec. 6, 1988, Hendersonville, Tenn.
U.S. singer and songwriter.
He formed his first musical group at age 13. His first single, "Ooby Dooby" (1956), was followed in the early 1960s by a string of hits, carefully crafted ballads of loneliness and heartache that included "Only the Lonely," "I Can't Stop Loving You," "Crying," "In Dreams," and "Oh, Pretty Woman." He was known for his soaring voice, one of the most operatic in all rock music. His career waned after the death of his wife in a motorcycle accident (1966) and the death of two sons in a fire (1968). He made a comeback in the 1980s; with Bob Dylan , George Harrison (1943–2001), and Tom Petty (b. 1953) he formed the band the Traveling Wilburys.