Orbison's influence felt around the world

WINK Some folks who knew Roy Orbison have left Wink, the ones who've stayed are getting up in years.

But around the world, the singer of hits like "Oh, Pretty Woman"

and "Blue Bayou" will always be remem­bered.

Although he died in 1988 at 52, Orbison's influence continues. And an annual festival, set this year for the third week in June, still brings people to town to commemorate the artist.

The 2007 release of the Traveling Wilburys box set sold more than 1 million copies.

Orbison was a member of the super group along with Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Jeff Lynne.

Orbison's songs have been covered by artists from Van Halen to k.d. lang. And references and influences can be found in music by other artists.

"Like a vision, she dances across the porch as Roy Orbison singing for the lonely," go the lyrics to Bruce Springsteen's classic "Thunder Road."

Springsteen gave the induction speech for Orbison when he went into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

"Only the Lonely" was also an influence on the Beatles song "Please Please Me."

Orbison's influence on The Eagles was shown when he opened for them on a 1980 concert tour.

Orbison's music continues to appear in movies. A version of "Only the Lonely" was in the 2007 Denzel Washington film "American Gangster."

Over the years, his songs have appeared in movies ranging from "Dumb and Dumber" to "Blue Velvet."

Orbison was portrayed by actor Jonathan Rice in the 2005 movie "Walk the Line" about Orbison's neighbor, Johnny Cash.

Orbison is remembered in Wink each year with an annual festival and museum. Orbison's days working in the oilfields there are commemorated in his song "Workin' for the Man."