roy orbison museum

My trip west in Texas was a mini-“pilgrimage” to visit the Roy Orbison Museum in Wink (as well as the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock).While traveling state highway 115, you could easily miss Wink if you blink! While its population is now only some 940, it was once a booming oil city in the heart of oil country with thousands of residents.But as you drive through this small town, it is hard to miss the orange benches that are outside the City Hall and the almost-next-door Roy Orbison Museum! “Wink, Texas. Home of Roy Orbison” is sculpted into them. The museum is not permanently open, and there is a notice on the door advising the names and phone numbers of several local people, one of whom is hopefully available to come and open up the museum.Within 15 minutes of my call, Walter arrived to open the museum and show me around. The humble room where the exhibits are housed is not large, which has the advantage that it’s easy to get close up to everything on display. And for a long-time Roy Orbison fan, that was a very privileged experience. Many fascinating photographs, some interesting artwork, and displays of albums and 45’s are all on show. It was a fabulous trip down memory lane, and I also enjoyed very much the conversation with Walter.There is a selection of CD’s, DVD’s, and various Roy Orbison souvenirs on sale, and while entry to the museum is free, there is a donations box for those wishing to contribute to the upkeep of this unique and very special tribute to a phenomenal musician.

This is a a small intimate museum to a BIG MAN with a unique voice. The premises are not permanently staffed. Telephone numbers are displayed on the door for you to call out a curator. If you are from ouside the US call in at the City Hall, which is two doors away, where they are most helpful. The contents of the museum pays tribute to Roy's early life in this small oil town, along side his school books and his famous sun glasses. The curators are very informative about his home town life and his world famous career. Sadly his last known home in Wink is no longer standing, but you can still walk the side walks in Roy's memory and sit on the new bench seats outside his museum.

We visited the Roy Orbison Museum in Wink, TX over the weekend. It is a very understated tribute to a man with an incredible voice that produced wonderful music that has been enjoyedby millions. The museum is a tribute by his hometown (where he went thru school) and each year they host the Roy Orbison Music Festival. Many legends of R & R have visited and thelocal curator (Edith Jones, comes down to open it for you) is a walking encyclopedia of Orbison lore. The Rig Theater next door (where Roy"s first band-The Wink Westerners performed) is in need of renovation and the town is trying hard to do that. While its out of the way, if you love his music you should see his roots. Also, a reminder that at nearby Pyote, TX the largest WW2 bomber base (Rattlesnake Air Base) existed and both B17s and B29s were housed therein the thousands. After the war the Enola Gay was housed there for several years. Just off I-20 and the massive hanger can be viewed just off the Interstate. Mike Schaefer

In September 2012 we visited Wink, just for the museum of Roy Orbison. We knew about it because of a Dutch television program 15 years ago (we still remembered because we love the songs of Roy), so when we were in west-Texas, we drove to Wink just for this little museum. Wink is a very small village, but it gave special feelings to think that this great singer lived here quite some time. The museum was not open, but nothing to worry about that we came all the way for nothing; a message on the door sent us to the city hall (next door). Two very kind ladies helped us and made several calls for someone who could come to open the museum. And about 15 minutes later a very friendly lady arrives with the key for the museum and let us in. She lets us see everything which was present in the only room of the museum and told a lot of great stories about Roy and information about all the memorabilia. Most impressive for us: A school year book with his photo and drawings from his hand, but really great ware the original glasses of Roy Orbison, and we were allowed to put them on and take pictures of it, awesome!! There was also a world map where was indicated with little pins from which countries the fans came to visit the little museum (two more now from the Netherlands, lots from Germany and England also). The really helpful lady volunteer directed us also to the place where Roy has lived during his childhood (house unfortunately broken down, just a sign to remember). Yes, it was really worth it to come all the way to see the little place of Wink with the museum, where such a great singer has lived.

It was small but everyone was friendly and willing to tell you all about him. We enjoyed our visit.

I am a big fan of roy orbison and have been for many, many years. When I had the chance to come to Wink just two weeks ago, I was thrilled that his home town remembered him so well, The next time I come to Wink, I want to look around more and maybe come for the next festival in June. Thank you, Billie Boultinghouse