Roy Orbison Estate Signs With Sandbox Succession for Management

Sandbox Succession has signed the Roy Orbison estate for exclusive management. The legacy division of Sandbox Entertainment will manage the estate with Orbison’s sons — Wesley, Alex and Roy Jr. — who had been handling their father’s affairs.

“Roy Orbison is an American icon whose music and reflections of love and life are woven into the fabric of pop culture,” said Josh Matas, president of Sandbox Succession, in a statement. “It is an honor to further that legacy for generations to come.”

Sandbox Succession will handle all facets of music, publishing, NIL (name, image and likeness) licensing, hospitality and film and TV projects for the legend, who was revered for his crystalline, haunting voice and dramatic, vulnerable tunes such as “Only the Lonely,”  “Crying” and “In Dreams,” as well as the flirty “Oh, Pretty Woman.” Renowned for his jet black hair and dark sunglasses, Orbison was also a member of Traveling Wilburys, along with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty.

Orbison, who died in 1988 at age 52, has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame. In addition to winning five Grammys, he was recognized by the Recording Academy with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.  

“We the sons of Roy Orbison are very excited to work with Sandbox on continuing the legacy of our father,” said West, Alex and Roy Jr. in a statement. “Sandbox, under the leadership of Jason Owen and Josh Matas, has developed into the world’s premiere management agency and a company that we trust. We feel Roy Orbison’s timeless body of work and Sandbox’s modern capabilities are a perfect match.  We can’t wait to see ‘The Big O’ grow even bigger!”

Sandbox Succession also represents the estates of Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline, as well as racing icon Richard Petty.