Photo © Alec Byrne

Roy Orbison’s voice was haunted by dramatic sweeps of pain and pondering. His songs were equally operatic and intense. And his eyewear duplicated these traits. While on tour with The Beatles, he lost his thick eyeglasses. Forced to wear his prescription sunglasses on stage, Orbison realized the shades secured the confidence his voice commanded. The ever-present shades literally became part of his legendary all-in-black visual trademark on and off stage. Roy was also quite the motorhead, and this month’s highlighted capture by Alec Byrne illustrates that driving passion perfectly.

Visit alecbyrnearchive.com in order to peruse many of the other images by Byrne and also have a look at his book London Rock with its rich treasure of rock and pop culture captures.

–James J. Spina