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In addition to looking at the lighter and weirder side of the game industry, System Update provides the latest information on weekly console updates, DLC, game-specific updates, and other game-industry flotsam and jetsam.

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Rock Band inducts Roy Orbison

Nobody can sing like Roy Orbison, but Harmonix still wants to let people try. The Rock Band developer is adding a six-pack of songs to its online music store this week, allowing players to strum, drum, and sing along to some of the vintage singer-songwriter's greatest hits.

Set for release on the Xbox Live Marketplace on Tuesday and the PlayStation Network on Thursday, January 15, the Roy Orbison Pack 01 will include the singer's biggest success, "Oh, Pretty Woman," as well as "Ooby Dooby," "In Dreams," "Claudette," "Mean Woman Blues," and "You Got It." Each song will be available individually for $1.99 (160 Microsoft points), or bundled together for $9.99 (800 Microsoft points).

Rising to prominence in the 1950s, Orbison's musical career spanned four decades. He eventually served as a lynchpin of the '80s supergroup The Traveling Wilburys, which also boasted George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne among its members. Orbison died of a heart attack in December of 1988, at the age of 52.

57 Comments

  • Everdeane75

    Posted Jan 22, 2009 12:48 pm PT

    Roy Orbison is the greatest ever! I am so glad they finally came out with such a tribute to the great, Roy Orbison!

  • BithaM

    Posted Jan 21, 2009 1:57 pm PT

    Hey Socal982, why you gotta cut up on Roy's offspring? And who, might I ask, are you referring to? He can't be disgraced! He's ROY ORBISON for God's sake!

  • Walkster7o

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 2:57 pm PT

    Haha Du Hasdst! Roy Orbison though....that's phenomenal! He was the soul of rock and roll! I can't wait to give this a try!

  • socal982

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 8:53 pm PT

    No One Will Ever Sound Like Roy. Including His Pathetic Offspring, please stop disgracing his name.

  • Creeper6

    Posted Jan 7, 2009 11:37 am PT

    Wheres Rammstein? I would love to jam to Reise Reise and Mutter!

  • norabbitnofun

    Posted Jan 7, 2009 11:15 am PT

    yes!!!

  • Media_Mind

    Posted Jan 6, 2009 8:07 pm PT

    goody

  • WARLOCK234

    Posted Jan 6, 2009 2:59 pm PT

    roy orbison's got alot of hits and he's good,adding a large diversity to the music is great,it be cool if they would add some jazz also,mix it up alittle

  • missonrs

    Posted Jan 6, 2009 12:09 pm PT

    Love the diversity harmonix is adding to rock band.

  • maccer101

    Posted Jan 6, 2009 10:48 am PT

    you got it is brilliant, if your only gonna get one then that's the one to get

    glad they're getting more diverse with the music they release for it

  • ftjx

    Posted Jan 6, 2009 10:26 am PT

    anybody that dont 'get' this, please watch the movie 'Blue velvet'

  • uwiwami

    Posted Jan 6, 2009 7:49 am PT

    @OorahDevil
    GH and RB both have good DLC, just rockband has a lot more.
    .. btw, how can you say a travis barker track pack is laughable?

  • tyzwain

    Posted Jan 6, 2009 5:46 am PT

    Anything you want... you got it (on Rock Band anyway)

  • the_Hippest_Cat

    Posted Jan 6, 2009 5:30 am PT

    I was hoping they'd get the licks to Pretty Woman out one day, and now I may have to drag out the Rock Band instruments again. Classic Rock can't be beat when you're getting a buncha people together, it's something everyone can agree on as a feel good rhythm

  • Balthazar316

    Posted Jan 6, 2009 2:34 am PT

    great songs by a great singer but not for me great downloads again by rb keep it up and how about more avenged sevenfold, bon jovi and how about some velvet revolver!!!!!

  • Jedited255

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 11:49 pm PT

    Okay now i gotta get Rock Band! Your crazy if you've never heard of Roy Orbison, who hasn't heard of "Pretty Woman" on some radio station?! What's wrong with Harmonix having a love for the classics?

  • jessdevilboy21

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 10:37 pm PT

    lol..

  • Pete5506 posted Jan 5, 2009 7:51 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Pete5506

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 7:51 pm PT (hide)

    Its nice to see more music but I want to see better music then this

  • OorahDevil

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 6:56 pm PT

    Even though I don't plan on buying this I'm just glad to see Rock Band continuing to beat Guitar Hero into the dirt. The DLC for World Tour is beyond laughable and they have much fewer releases than RB.

  • msudude211

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 6:20 pm PT

    I want some more Bon Jovi.

  • x-wing20

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 5:58 pm PT

    you want coldplay? although keyboard and synth would be great songs by the who or the doors but coldplay are joking? Rot Orbsin sounds like it could be great choice for those who are looking for oldies. Its better then the same old same old alternative bands. we need more metal and more classic rock.

  • Dea7htrap-101

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 4:12 pm PT

    I agree Lockedge, there is quite a bit of the coldplay and depeche mode songs that are keyboard, but im dreaming for those groups more than really requesting them lol. I really would like Yellowcard, Simple Plan, and Good Charlotte, and Harmonix would make some serious dough if they coughed up the money to get the licensing, for U2. You are absolutely right that U2 is stubborn with their music, but I think that Harmonix would make more money from people buying the songs than it would cost to get the licensing for the songs. Good points though

  • baystatethrashr

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 3:49 pm PT

    he was probably the greatest singer in rock music

  • Lockedge

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 3:47 pm PT

    It's nice to get a different era of music in there. And Dea7htrap-101, Depeche Mode is mostly synths and drum machines. Wouldn't fit too well with the guitar-drum-vocals aspect, if they would be looking for a realistic transition. I love Depeche Mode to Death, and maybe some of their earlier stuff would work, but not many tend to listen to "Construction Time Again".
    U2 is probably withholding their rights, holding out for the Metallica treatment. Coldplay tends to involve piano, and that doesn't shift into RB1 or 2. They've definitely got numerous songs that could make the jump, but like U@ they probably want the moneys. I'm simply ecstatic that Simple Plan isn't in the game, and that Good Charlotte isn't as well(to my knowledge).

    I definitely agree U2 should be there because they're a huge draw and they've got a number of memorable songs. It'll take time and money tog et them on board.

    I think they need better Radiohead songs on the game. The ones there are decent, but they could get the better ones on their easy, I'd imagine. I'd personally like to see smaller bands like Wolf parade and Tokyo Police Club get a shot. The Hold Steady have had a few small hits and they'd have a good number of fun songs on the ready. But whatever There are decades of music left to delve into. 'Grats on Harmonix getting Orbison's work into the fold.

  • Headfone

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 3:40 pm PT

    @ Dea7htrap-101- You read my mind!!

  • Dea7htrap-101

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 3:21 pm PT

    Can we freaking get some more alternative groups? Where is U2, Depeche Mode, Simple Plan, Good Charlotte, Boys like Girls, Yellowcard, Coldplay, Oh and did I mention there is no U2? Im not saying that everyone one of the above groups has to be in Rock Band but at least one or two dont you think? I mean U2 is arguably one of the biggest groups of all time, ALL TIME, and there is not a single DLC song on the game. I know that some of their songs have keyboard stuff, but you could still program the guitars to play the parts. I was flabbergasted when I didnt see a single song of any of the above groups in the 500 song list. Rock band does not need more rock 'n' roll songs. More alternative please.

  • jrabbit99

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 3:19 pm PT

    So many micro transactions!

  • Arch649

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 3:12 pm PT

    I like this early rock 'n' roll stuff. Now for more Elvis, Hank Williams, Jimmy Work, Bobby Freeman, Johnny Cash . . . well you get the idea.

  • Ohno_Kateh

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 3:09 pm PT

    All hail Ray Orbison!

  • Generic_Dude posted Jan 5, 2009 3:09 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Generic_Dude

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 3:09 pm PT (hide)

    Somewhat of an odd choice, I'd say. Respect to Roy Orbison -- he WAS a big player in the evolution of popular music -- but when I throw in Rock Band, I'm thinkin' more along the lines of Black Sabbath than this.

  • puablo

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 2:58 pm PT

    I agree with some of the other comments - while I won't buy the pack (will probably grab "You Got It" though), I'm continually impressed with Harmonix for their DLC choices. Even with the country pack, which made me want to hurl, a little part of me privately applauded them for releasing stuff to appeal to everybody.

  • NFSU2_RC3

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 2:44 pm PT

    cant say i care or will buy this, but for anyone who does and will this is cool. in other words i don't need to be commenting since i don't really have an opinion.

  • Dire_Weasel

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 2:39 pm PT

    Nice! More variety is always a good thing.

  • yoyoman10 posted Jan 5, 2009 2:24 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    yoyoman10

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 2:24 pm PT (hide)

    who?

  • Azwethinkweiz89

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 2:24 pm PT

    Good DLC for those who like classics.

  • DrakeNOwns

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 2:21 pm PT

    I'm only 17 and I think of Orbison as a classic. I love the way he sings in every song, its like he is truly singing from his heart. Can't wait to play You Got It and In Dreams.

  • dmish82

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 1:53 pm PT

    I'm not a huge Roy Orbinson fan although I enjoy some of his songs but I have to hand it to Harmonix here. They're really traversing the musical spectrum with DLC. Good to see they're tapping such various artists for DLC.

  • Kakua_Omari

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 1:41 pm PT

    Dear harmonix, Good call on the Orbison pack, now if you would just put up some Cake songs.....

  • Sabin55

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 1:40 pm PT

    Be nice if Guitar Hero could provide the quality DLC that Rock Band has been releasing.

  • vedomedo

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 1:33 pm PT

    @789shadow i hope for your sake that you're kidding

  • jcloverboy

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 1:29 pm PT

    This is a nie pack. I'll def. DL.

  • TWOTOESJR

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 1:25 pm PT

    thin lizzy

  • 789shadow posted Jan 5, 2009 1:24 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    789shadow

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 1:24 pm PT (hide)

    I don't believe I've heard of him.

  • orionthescorpio

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 1:22 pm PT

    Nice to see this. I like Pretty Woman but I am also looking forward to playing In Dreams. One of my favs! Good to see that some of the older songs are coming back to Rock Band. You to go back to the roots of rock to appreciate how far rock has come! The newer bands are good as long as they play good in the game. Hope to see more Fleetwood Mac, "The Chain" would be awesome!! Some Iron Man also, I don't even play GH 1 anymore, I want it for the current gen systems!!! Come On!!!!

  • xbroesslerx

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 1:20 pm PT

    @ The_AI

    I agree 100%, good classic music, and Billy Talent would be pretty awesome.

  • The_AI

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 1:00 pm PT

    Roy Orbison? Cool. I love the interest in the classics.

    Am I the only one who thinks that Billy Talent would make for a great pack?

  • Unheard-Volume

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 12:59 pm PT

    It would be awesome to get to play some U2 songs in RB, but I'm sure that it would be WAY too expensive for Harmonix to get. Eventually I do hope to see some more of my favorite bands in DLC.

  • Blackhawk692

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 12:57 pm PT

    .......they better get some Cash soon

  • XFoogyX

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 12:54 pm PT

    sweet. I love the interest Rock Band is taking in the classics lately. Deep Purple. Jethro Tull! Now Orbison. Good times.

  • ASG_

    Posted Jan 5, 2009 12:54 pm PT

    *sigh*
    We need more metal.
    Like In Flames, the whole Clayman album, I'd buy the game just for that.

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