Roy Orbison Signed "Pretty Woman" Copyright Contract, Music And Lyrics (1962). ...

Roy Orbison Signed "Pretty Woman" Copyright Contract, Music And Lyrics (1962). It bears slight resemblance - other than its title - to the polished Rock classic that became Orbison's biggest all-time hit in 1964. "Oh, Pretty Woman" is a timeless recording that continues to defy relegation to "oldies" stations. It's as well-known to succeeding generations as to the Boomers who were originally moved by its infectious groove and lyrics.
But this isn't it! In fact, the classic "Oh, Pretty Woman" was written by Orbison and his songwriting partner Billy Dees in 1964, but most of Orbison's hits from 1959 to 1963 were co-written by fellow West Texan, Joe Melson. The "Pretty Woman" of our offering was registered in 1962 and credited to Orbison, Melson, and Ray Rush, who had been in a group named The Roses, that had backed Orbison on his first recording, "Ooby-Dooby" on the tiny Je-Wel label in 1956. Note: the title of the song on this Canadian copyright registration is simply "Pretty Woman" (without the "Oh") and the song was eventually recorded by Curtis Byrd on the Joed label of Big Spring, Texas. Perhaps "Pretty Woman" was just the acorn from which "Oh, Pretty Woman" eventually sprouted! In any event, it's a fascinating offering, fraught with sidelight stories - vintage Rock and Roll lore!
Included are three pages of music score with typed-in lyrics and with handwritten musical notes and notations penciled in, plus a copy of the Assignment of Canadian Copyright, signed by Orbison, Melson, and Rush, recorded in Ottawa, May 1962