On this day in 1960, Roy Orbison achieved his first major hit with “Only the Lonely”, which reached number two in the United States and topped the UK chart. The song established the dramatic vocal style that became central to his career, bringing television appearances and a tour with Patsy Cline.

Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers had both declined the song before Orbison recorded it for his album *Lonely and Blue*, reportedly following the Everly Brothers’ suggestion. Orbison had been strongly influenced by Presley after seeing him perform in Dallas in 1955, and the two later became friends; Presley publicly praised Orbison as “the greatest singer in the world” in 1976.