A TRIBUTE to music legend Roy Orbison is on at the Thameside Theatre in Grays this March.

Barry Steele and his band will be paying homage to the singer, who was at his peak between 1961-64, at the Orsett Road theatre on Saturday, March 26 at 7.30pm.

The American star, who has more than 500 songs to his name, was most famous for hits including Oh Pretty Woman, I Drove All Night, and All I Have to Do Is Dream.

Orbison co-wrote almost all his hits and often produced them as well.

Successful in the U.S, he was also a hit in Britain after touring with the Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1963.

Many attribute the mournful nature of some of Orbison’s songs to the tragedy he faced in his life.

His first wife Claudette was killed in a motorcycle accident 1966.

More heartbreak followed in 1968, when, while on tour in England, Roy learned two of their three sons had died in a fire at their Nashville home.

A chance meeting with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne in 1987, led to the formation of the extremely successful band the Traveling Wilburys.

At the same time Orbison was on the verge of finishing his next solo album Mystery Girl, which included "You Got It", the song that would become his first top twenty hit in 25 years.

He was on the verge of a solo comeback in 1988 when he died suddenly of a heart attack in Madison, Tennessee, at the age of 52.

Mystery Girl was released posthumously released and became the highest charting album of his career.

It was certified platinum.

A spokesman for Barry Steele and his band said: “Barry Steele puts the Rock back into Roy Orbison as he takes to the stage to celebrate Roy Orbison's 75th birthday accompanied by his five piece band.

“With an upbeat and contemporary slant on Roy Orbison's legacy, Barry will take you on a musical journey from the early Sun year's right through to the late 1980's.

“The show will of course feature the sounds of The Traveling Wilburys.

“With full support from Barry's fabulous band, who will perform a stunning array of iconic hits from the 50's and 60's, and with our very special guests, this show will give you a night to remember.

"If you love music, then this show is the ultimate musical experience."

Tickets for the show are £17 each and can be booked by calling the theatre’s box office on 0845 300 5264.