Joe Melson, 91, Dies; Wrote ‘Only the Lonely’ and Other Hits With Roy Orbison

Working together closely, the pair turned out more than 200 songs, including “Crying,” “Running Scared” and “Blue Bayou.”

​Working together closely, the pair turned out more than 200 songs, including “Crying,” “Running Scared” and “Blue Bayou.” Melson, Joe (1935-2026), Deaths (Obituaries), Pop and Rock Music, Orbison, Roy, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Nashville (Tenn), Odessa (Tex)