Biography
Rockabilly singer Joe Melson achieved his greatest commercial impact through songwriting rather than performing, most notably through repeated partnerships with Roy Orbison that produced several of the latter’s signature recordings. Born in 1935 in the west Texas community of Bonham, Melson later fronted the Midland-based rockabilly group the Cavaliers. Introduced to Orbison—who was then seeking to rebuild momentum following his departure from Sun—by a shared acquaintance, the pair quickly formed a songwriting alliance. Their initial effort, “Up Town,” served as Orbison’s debut release on the Monument label and, upon its early-1960 appearance, marked his strongest chart showing in four years. The immediate successor, “Only the Lonely,” elevated Orbison to stardom by introducing the sweeping, operatic ballad approach that would define his sound. Between 1960 and 1961 the duo delivered further successes such as “Blue Angel,” “I’m Hurtin’,” the major hit “Running Scared,” and the chart-topping “Crying.” During the same span Melson issued his own singles on the Hickory imprint through 1963 while also supplying material for other artists on that roster. The regular Orbison-Melson collaboration concluded around 1961 once Orbison opted to compose during tours and Melson chose to withdraw from constant travel in favor of family life. Their final joint success arrived in 1963 with “Blue Bayou,” later recognized as a country standard via versions by Linda Ronstadt and additional interpreters; Melson simultaneously issued his last Hickory single late that year. He nevertheless maintained stage appearances at rockabilly festivals into the new millennium.