"All the songs I wrote that were successful were written when I was in a contented state of mind," said Orbison of his more woeful ballads.

Buddy Holly influenced the Beatles in countless ways, including one eye-opening way you might not have considered.

A Curious Industry Once Gave Anyone With a Song in Their Heart a (Long) Shot at Stardom How the dubious tradition of song-sharking led to a strangely beautiful repository of folk art ...