By David DeRocco

He sits at number 13 on Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 100 singers of all time, inconspicuously wedged between the immortal Little Richard and soulful Al Green.  Deservedly ahead of Whitney and Mariah, ranked higher than Wilson Pickett and Paul Rodgers, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Tyler and Elton John – ahead of Mick and Hank and Janis and Jim, Michael and Bono and the irreplaceable Freddie Mercury. He’s often forgotten in discussions where people debate arbitrary parametres of greatness in pop music history. But don’t tell that to Mike Demers, a man who spends his time on stages reintroducing music lovers to the unmistakable voice of Roy Orbison

“For sure it’s not for the meek,” said Demers, in reference to his challenge of delivering songs sung by Orbison and his nearly four octave vocal range. Demers is the frontman for a loving tribute called THE LONELY – A Celebration of the Music of Roy Orbison, that’s been playing to sold-out houses across the country. As a singer, Orbison was unmatched; as a performer, he was stoic and conservative, so much so that John Belushi once depicted him as a tree on stage.  Demers is well aware of Orbison’s less-than-Elvis-like stage persona and the folly in trying to attempt a perfect note for note impersonation of the legend. Instead, he strives to give audiences a well-rounded appreciation of Orbison as a singer, songwriter and human being.

“Certainly there’s not a lot of jumping around on stage,” said Demers, who got the idea for the tribute while performing in sunglasses at outdoor music festivals on British Columbia’s Saltspring Island. “More than anything else, I’m hoping  that the audience gets the impression that we love Roy Orbison as much as they do. What I try to do is provide  bits of information, introduce them to songs they may or not be aware of, and talk about certain parts of his life as well. I think a lot of people younger  than 55 don’t’ really understand how big  he was. He was once booked to headline a tour in Britain in ‘63 and The Beatles were to open for him.  By the time he got there he was opening for The Beatles. But John and Paul had to hold him back after 14 encores. That gives you an indication.”

The Lonely offers audiences a full playlist of Orbison classics, including “Oh Pretty Woman,” “Blue Angel,” “I’m Hurtin,” “Domino” and his first number one hit, “Only The Lonely,” a song Orbison had tried to sell to both Elvis and The Everly Brothers but was turned down. Of all the songs in the set, however, there’s one that is both a joy and a struggle for Demers to sing each night.

“ If there’s a song I need to be careful with it’s  “Crying.”  My journey to Roy Orbison started after a five year relationship ended. For my set list I picked up the song “Crying” and I was shocked by the impact it had on me. I have to say every time I sing that song I’m back on the street with that woman and we’re bumping into each other and my heart’s in my throat. I’ve sang it so many times now. That song changed me as a singer. A great songwriter like Roy has us all have the same experience in the room at the same time. Whether you’re singing or listening, that song takes you somewhere.  I’m just lucky enough to be the one singing it.”

THE LONELY – A Celebration of the Music of Roy Orbison also includes Orbison songs from his days with The Travelling Willburys, plus a few classics from the era made popular by The Everly Brothers.  See it February 11^th at Hamilton’s Lincoln Alexander Theatre or February 12^th at the FirstOntario PAC in St. Catharines.