Oh Pretty Woman, Roy Orbison

"Oh, Pretty Woman" or simply "Pretty Woman" is a song recorded by Roy Orbison, written by Orbison and Bill Dees, released as a single in August 1964 on Monument Records. It spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 from September 26, the second and final single by Orbison to top the US charts and the third single to top the UK Singles Chart (for a total of three weeks).

The single version (in mono) and the LP version (in stereo on the Orbisongs LP) have slightly differing lyrics. The LP version with the intended lyric: "come with me baby" was changed for the single to "come to me baby" as the former was considered too risque. The record ultimately sold 7 million copies and marked the high point in Orbison's career. Within months of its release, the single was certified gold by the RIAA. At the year's end, Billboard ranked it the number four song of 1964.

The title was inspired by Orbison's wife, Claudette, interrupting a conversation to announce she was going out. When Orbison asked if she had enough cash, his co-writer Bill Dees interjected, "A pretty woman never needs any money."

Orbison's recording of the song was produced by Fred Foster on August 1, 1964. There were four guitar players at the session: Roy Orbison, Billy Sanford, Jerry Kennedy, and Wayne Moss. Sanford, who later played on sessions for Elvis Presley, Don Williams, etc, played the intro guitar. Other musicians on the record included Floyd Cramer (piano), Henry Strzelecki (upright bass), Boots Randolph and Charlie McCoy (saxophones), Buddy Harman (drums) Paul Garrison (percussion). Co-writer Dees sung high harmony, as he did on many Orbison songs. Bill Porter served as recording engineer. Billboard described the song as having a "great dance beat coupled with fine arrangement." Cash Box described it as "a catchy, quick-beat salute with a number of ear-catching rockin' ingredients."

A music video was filmed on October 19, 1964, in the rooftop garden of London's Kensington-based Derry and Toms department store, to air on Top of the Pops on October 22 as a visual accompaniment to Orbison's song as he was unable to attend the live taping. It subsequently aired on October 29, November 12, and November 19. It was directed by Stanley Dorfman.

Death of Alan Ladd

Alan Ladd the American actor and producer was born in 1913 and died on January 29, 1964. He found success in film in the 1940s and early 1950s, particularly in films noir and Westerns. He was often paired with Veronica Lake in films noir such as This Gun for Hire (1942), The Glass Key (1942) and The Blue Dahlia (1946). Whispering Smith (1948) was his first Western and colour film and Shane (1953) was noted for its contributions to the genre. He also appeared in ten films with William Bendix. Other notable credits include Two Years Before the Mast (1946) and The Great Gatsby (1949). His popularity diminished in the mid-1950s, though he continued to appear in numerous films, including his first supporting role since This Gun for Hire in the smash hit The Carpetbaggers released in 1964. He died of an accidental combination of alcohol, a barbiturate and two tranquilisers.