The Texan star performed hits such as Only The Lonely, California Blue, and End Of The Line. Characteristically dressed in black and dark shades, Roy was one of the founding fathers of rock ‘n’ roll. Yet, in December 1988, The Caruso of Rock (as he was nicknamed) died at the age of 52.
Nine years prior, The Big O another moniker due to his operatic sound had open-heart surgery in 1979. To be specific, Roy had triple bypass surgery, which cardiologist Dr Jeffrey Lander verified is the “most common type of heart surgery for adults”.
The American artist had died from a heart attack while visiting his elderly mother, The New York Times reported. Taken by ambulance to Hendersonville Hospital on December 6, 1988, Roy could not be revived and passed away just before midnight.
The blood vessels that are used for the graft can be taken from the leg, inside the chest, or the arm. Such an operation is done to improve blood flow to the heart muscle, which has been restricted due to coronary heart disease.
Otherwise known as a coronary artery bypass graft, the procedure involves utilising three blood vessels elsewhere in the body to bypass damaged vessels to the heart. Coronary artery disease occurs when fatty material builds up in the arteries, thereby restricting blood flow.
