What might seem an unlikely pair came together for a beautiful tribute to the late Roy Orbison in a 1990 tribute to the late singer-songwriter. According toPhilly.com, friends Patrick Swayze and Larry Gatlin performed this version of “Love Hurts” during a 90-minute Showtime concert.
“We were great buddies,” Gatlin said of Swayze in a CNN interview, after Swayze’s 2009 death. “I met him in 1986. I walked in an elevator in Austin, Texas, during the Texas Centennial Celebration. The elevator opened, and I said, ‘Patrick Swayze. I love your acting.’ He said, ‘Larry Gatlin, I love your singing and song writing.’ I said, ‘Let’s be friends.’ He said, ‘That’s a great idea.'”
According to the interview, Gatlin and Swayze also cowrote the song “Brothers,” which was part of the Swayze film “Next of Kin” soundtrack.
Gatlin, along with his band The Gatlin Brothers, scored numerous chart-topping country songs and many music-industry awards, according to the band’s website. Swayze also hit a musical high with the soundtrack to his film “Dirty Dancing.” His song, “She’s Like the Wind” topped the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart and peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 during 1987 and 1988, according to All Music.
Pass along this haunting performance of two friends making the most of their talent and their mutual respect.
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