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Traveling Wilburys: How did the all-star supergroup get together?

28 April 2023, 13:40 | Updated: 12 April 2024, 10:15

By Thomas Curtis-Horsfall

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Everyone loves a collaboration between major music icons.

And the idea of a supergroup whet's the appetite even more - a melting pot of styles and influences from beloved stars from across the music spectrum.

But during the 1980s a supergroup came into being which was more extraordinary than anyone could've imagined. The band? Well, the Traveling Wilburys of course.

The creative components of the band were so stellar, that Electric Light Orchestra's Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty were considered to be the junior members.

Given that Roy Orbison , Bob Dylan , and a bonafide Beatle in George Harrison made up the rest of the group, you can understand why.

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Getting a band of music icons together in the same room at the same time sounds like a stretch of the imagination in itself.

There's scheduling conflicts, clashing egos to contend with, and that's before even knowing if there's a creative chemistry worth pursuing.

But the story of how the Traveling Wilburys came together was in fact quite organic, or cosmic if that's your perspective. But if anything, it was a stroke of dumb luck.

Before they all got in a room together, each member of the Traveling Wilburys were friends or at least connected in some varying degree of separation.

They've all achieved stardom and cultural significance on some levels, so had crossed paths previously and attended each other's shows.

But it was George Harrison who acted as the catalyst for their unique coming together, having been working on the follow-up album to Cloud Nine which re-ignited his solo career.

The former member of the Fab Four had already been working with Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne in the studio on each other's projects, but having handed his new record to the label, they required one more B-side to complete the album.

During a dinner with Lynne and Orbison he invited them both to contribute to a new song he was working on the off chance they'd agree. They did, and recorded in Bob Dylan 's garage studio as it was too short notice to book a major studio.

The song was later dubbed 'Handle With Care', named after a label he saw in a box in Dylan's garage, and the record label went mad for it.

In fact, they thought the song was too good, so encouraged Harrison to continue recording with Roy and Jeff, who had also invited Tom Petty into the mix to workshop the track.

The Traveling Wilburys - Handle With Care (Official Video)

The opportunity to continue recording with fellow rock legends and peers wasn't wasted on George, who was incredibly eager to get Bob Dylan involved, who at the time was enduring his lowest point both creatively and commercially.

Though everyone was in awe of Dylan and his prestige, with Tom Petty later recalling that Harrison needed to clear the air on the first day of writing.

"We know that you're Bob Dylan and everything, but we're going to just treat you and talk to you like we would anybody else" Harrison said in front of the soon-to-be supergroup.

Dylan replied: "Well, great. Believe it or not, I'm in awe of you guys, and it's the same for me" and the mutual respect was vital to their chemistry.

They also bonded over their love 1950s rock 'n' roll and skiffle bands which inspired the name, Traveling Wilburys.

What particular enamoured Roy Orbison to George Harrison however, was his knack for impersonations, being able to reel off Monty Python skits at the drop of a hat, as George was friends with the British comedy troupe and even funded The Life Of Brian .

Led by the excitement about 'Handle With Care', the Traveling Wilburys were formed and recorded their first album together: Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 .

Recording sessions took place at the home studio of Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, who could've been a Wilbury himself had he not been focusing on writing the electronic duo's album We Too Are One .

The sessions went better than any of them expected, all contributing in equal measure and drawing inspiration from each artist's process of songwriting and recording.

Because it was George that brought the band together, he was appointed de facto bandleader and manager, saying: "From my point of view, I just tried to preserve our relationship."

"I worked so hard to make sure that all the guys who were in that band, and consequently on record and film, that their friendship wasn't abused. Just to preserve our friendship – that was the underlying contribution, I think, that I was trying to do."

Not only was in a pleasant creative experience amongst friends, it was a miraculous creative venture that later rejuvenated the careers of both Bob Dylan and Tom Petty.

Unexpectedly to the rest of the group, Roy Orbison was ecstatic with the results which gave him his first hit record in some years.

The Traveling Wilburys - End Of The Line (Official Video)

Sadly they never toured as George Harrison wanted to avoid the trappings of a rock 'n' roll tour, despite warming to the idea at first.

Not long after the supergroup's album was released, Roy Orbison died of a heart attack at the age of 52 on 6th December 1988.

It left the remaining band members heartbroken, but relieved in so far as their friend and idol went out on a creative high point.

Jeff Lynne recalled: "I was devastated for ages ... Me and Roy had had plans to do much more together, and his voice was in really good shape. It was just so sad for that to happen."

Harrison, Dylan, Petty, and Lynne did reunite for a second album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 , two years later which bagged the supergroup a Grammy Award .

But they failed to reach the unmatched chemistry and camaraderie they achieved on their debut album together now they were one man down.

Despite not coming together again, the Wilburys look back on their time together fondly. They were a strange phenomenon given that acid house and hip-hop were the trending genres of the time, with author Alan Clayson later likening its release to "a Viking longship docking in a hovercraft terminal".

That was the beauty of the Traveling Wilburys though - they were just a group of mates having a good time. They just so happened to be music legends.

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The rock supergroup was comprised of Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, and Tom Petty.

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They must have been the ultimate Anglo-American supergroup, though that was never their avowed intention. Traveling Wilburys actually fell together by accident. The kismet can be linked to George Harrison and Jeff Lynne’s fortuitous meet in Los Angeles in spring of 1988, with the former looking for studio time to record a B-side. Mutual friends Roy Orbison and Bob Dylan would join the former Beatle and the Move/ELO stalwart, and then, as if that weren’t mind-boggling enough, George was doing some business at Tom Petty ’s house, and the laidback Floridian hopped aboard. Well, you would, wouldn’t you, given that lot’s track record!

In keeping with Harrison’s love of a practical joke and well-chosen pseudonym (or alibi), the quintet adopted alter egos: George became Nelson; Lynne settled on Otis; Dylan plumped for Lucky; Roy took the country option with Lefty; and Petty’s handle was the grand-sounding Charlie T, Jr. While they made two albums, they would never use their real identities. Old masters of the masquerade for sure, but the two discs they left behind – the second was recorded in the wake of Roy Orbison’s posthumously released album Mystery Girl (Roy died in 1988, aged just 52) – are packed with great songs, some real Dylan gems, classic Harrison licks and a smooth country-rock sound courtesy of Petty and Lynne’s studio expertise and genius for harmony and melody. Both albums are recommended for discovery, particularly if you are a fan of any of the above – chances are, you love ’em all.

While they were only properly extant during the years 1988 to 1990, Traveling Wilburys had plenty of previous. George Harrison was pondering what to do after releasing his Cloud Nine album and, during a radio interview in LA, he conversationally dropped the bombshell that he’d like to link up with some mates. He already had the concept, since the name Traveling Wilburys had been an in-joke for him and Jeff Lynne. The idea snowballed and became a reality. Over a meal with Roy Orbison, it was decided to put plans into place and Bob Dylan was contacted for the use of his Malibu studio. As luck would have it Bob wanted in, and when Harrison went to collect a guitar he’d stashed at Tom Petty’s home, he too expressed an interest in joining the session that resulted in ‘Handle With Care’.

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This song was deemed so good that it was used to open the Wilburys’ debut album,  Traveling Wilburys Vol 1 . That track became their most successful single, with high placing in the US, UK and Australia. A definitive country-rock’n’roller with a descending folk-rock chord sequence and an opening salvo that recalled ELO’s ‘10358 Overture’, ‘Handle With Care’ was completed with drummer Jim Keltner.

The album proper would be certified triple-platinum and won great acclaim. Dylan’s ‘Dirty World’, ‘Congratulations’, ‘Tweeter And The Monkey Man’ (a hilarious trip through the mythology of Bruce Springsteen ’s blue-collar hinterlands) and the reissue bonus track ‘Like A Ship’ are the equals of anything the man unleashed around that time. George fans were also delighted by ‘Heading For The Light’ (another bonus track that’s essential to catch is ‘Maxine’). With Roy Orbison bringing in his archetypal weepie ‘Not Alone Any More’, Tom Petty draggin’ on ‘Last Night’ and Lynne delighting all with his powerful ‘Rattled’, the set exceeded all expectations. Sometimes this kind of project can fall flat on its backside, but the Wilburys pulled it off with ease. The group effort ‘End Of The Line’, with its rhythmic freight-train delivery, is particularly poignant since it was released as a single a month after Orbison’s death. (The Wilbury’s next single was a cover of ‘Nobody’s Child’, a song The Beatles had covered in Hamburg in 1961 with Tony Sheridan. It was gifted to the benefit album, Nobody’s Child: Romanian Angel Appeal , released in July 1990.)

Though events surrounding Orbison’s unexpected demise caused the remaining four Wilburys to take stock, they had the Wilbury bug, and the second album, confusingly called Traveling Wilburys Vol 3 (a piece of Monty Pythonesque espionage hammered home by the fact Michael Palin wrote liner notes for the debut, and Eric Idle did the same for the new recordings) was rushed out in Autumn of 1990 while lead-off single ‘She’s My Baby’ was on the airwaves. Featuring Gary Moore on lead guitar, Jim Horn on sax, Ray Cooper on percussion and Keltner (aka Buster Sidebury) behind the kit, this joint effort was credited to four new folks: Clayton (Lynne), Spike (Harrison), Boo (Dylan) and Muddy (Petty).

Once again, Dylan stepped up to the plate with some exceptional songwriting. ‘If You Belonged To Me’ and ‘Where Were You Last Night?’ are full of his colloquial genius, and ‘7 Deadly Sins’ is vintage Bob. Petty stretched out more here too, combining with Dylan on ‘Inside Out’ and bossing the room on ‘Cool Dry Place’ and ‘You Took My Breath Away’. The George’n’Jeff camaraderie shines through on ‘New Blue Moon’; the closing dance number ‘Wilbury Twist’ (“Grace is the key to successful dancing,” according to Eric Idle’s notes) was a fitting finale. The reissue bonus tracks restore ‘Nobody’s Child’ to the fold, while there’s a stirring corer of the Del Shannon hit ‘Runaway’ (tying in with the fact that Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers were working on a new album with the great man, Drop Down And Get Me – and very fine that was as well).

Both of the Wilburys’ essentially good-natured and entertaining albums are also available on the box set The Traveling Wilburys Collection , with a DVD featuring their five music videos, a tongue-in-cheek documentary called The True History Of The Traveling Wilburys (rest assured, it’s not) and a choice of formats including the desirable deluxe edition, linen-bound and containing a collectable book for the connoisseur. You might then hunt down the vinyl edition since that comes with a bonus 12” featuring some extended versions and a great remix of ‘Not Alone Anymore’. The box was issued six years after George’s death; his son Dhani plays lead guitar on Bob Dylan’s ‘Like A Ship’ and adds backing vocals to that and the reconfigured ‘Maxine’, a song that his father had written, so bringing the project to a suitable close.

Grand sales and sterling press aside, it’s worth pointing out that Traveling Wilburys Vol 1 won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group in 1989. The pity is that this crack group never toured – though none were averse to the principle. But as Tom Petty pointed out, that might spoil the moment. “I think it would ruin it in a way. Then you’re obligated to be responsible, and it’s not in the character of that group. It would make it very formal and that would be the wrong spirit.”

He was probably right, but then we still have the original music made by the five sons of Charles Truscott Wilbury, Sr. Sir, we all owe you a big one.

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The Traveling Wilburys

Perhaps the biggest supergroup of all time, a roots combo formed by George Harrison with hired guns Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison.

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M A G A Z I N E

The traveling wilburys: a supergroup.

The Traveling Wilburys, a folk-rock band during the late 1980s, had a short yet successful career. The five members included five well-known musicians coming from England and America. They had careers that were very successful such as George Harrison’s career as The Beatles’ lead guitarist and Tom Petty’s career as the lead singer and guitarist of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. What made these successful musicians come together and merge genres to become the Traveling Wilburys? According to Mo Ostin on The Traveling Wilburys’ website, George Harrison was working on the release of his single, “This is Love” and was asked by his label to create a B-side for this single. He along with his friends spent time together at Bob Dylan’s studio and made music. The song that came out of their time together was “Handle with Care,” but it was a song too good for a B-side and needed to be made into an album. The idea of a collaboration was in the works. George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison make up The Traveling Wilburys. The creation of their band name was started by Harrison and Lynne who called some studio equipment “wilburys.” The name that was inspired by Harrison and Lynne’s nickname was “The Trembling Wilburys.”

Later on, Lynne made the creative suggestion for, “The Traveling Wilburys,” which is what this band is known as now. As a group, they also decided to use pseudonyms on both their records using the same last name, so they could appear more like brothers. In the Traveling Wilburys, the work was shared between all the members. Everyone wrote, produced and sang the music their fans came to love. Their debut album was released October 18 of 1988 and named, “The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1.” This album had amazing success reaching the top of charts in multiple countries. The Recording Industry Association of America certified the album as multi-platinum, meaning it sold over 2 million copies. “The Traveling Wilburys Vol 1” was nominated for two Grammys including Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, which they won and Album of the Year. This album was also nominated for an American Music Award, Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist. Their first single, “Handle with Care” had significant success around the world as well and was listed on many charts. Shortly after their album’s release, Roy Orbison passed away due to a heart attack. He died December 6 of 1988 at the age of 52, so he didn’t have the opportunity to see the album’s success. A month after his death, “You Got It,” a song he wrote along with Lynne and Petty, was released. This song was his first solo song to top the US charts in over 25 years. After Orbison’s death the other four released their second and final album, “Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3.” This album was released October 29 of 1990 as a continuation of their first studio album. This album was not received the same way as their first album, but still received significant success. This album did not reach the success as the first but did manage to chart in multiple countries. This album sold over a million, so The Recording Industry Association of America certified this album as platinum. “She’s My Baby” and “Inside Out” had a lot of radio success.

Despite being their sophomore release, the title is listed as “Vol. 3.” There has been guesses on why the title is misleading, but on the group’s website, it mentions that George Harrison cleverly named the album. Jeff Lynne said “That was George’s idea. He said, ‘Let’s confuse the buggers.’” The Traveling Wilburys only released two studio albums in their short career. This famous group never toured, but their music did reach people around the world. These five musicians who reached incredible individual success joined together making The Traveling Wilburys into a music Supergroup .

Written by Allison Jones

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Exploring the Musical Legacy of the Traveling Wilburys and Their Members

By Happy Sharer

Introduction

The Traveling Wilburys were a supergroup comprised of five legendary musicians: George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, and Tom Petty. Together, they created some of the most memorable music of the late 1980s, and their influence can still be felt today. In this article, we’ll explore who the members of the Traveling Wilburys were, what their musical legacy was, and how each member contributed to the band’s success.

Biographical Overview of the Members of the Traveling Wilburys

The members of the Traveling Wilburys were all highly successful musicians in their own right, and each brought something unique to the group. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

George Harrison

George Harrison was an English musician, singer-songwriter, and producer who was best known as the lead guitarist of The Beatles. He was also a solo artist, releasing several acclaimed albums such as All Things Must Pass and Cloud Nine. After the breakup of The Beatles, Harrison formed the band The Traveling Wilburys with four other iconic musicians.

Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison was an American singer-songwriter and musician whose career spanned four decades. He was known for his powerful voice and emotive lyrics, and he had a string of hits including “Oh, Pretty Woman” and “Crying.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and was one of the founding members of the Traveling Wilburys.

Jeff Lynne is an English songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist who was a key member of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). He has produced albums for artists like The Beatles and Tom Petty, and he has written and performed many hit songs, including “Don’t Bring Me Down” and “Evil Woman.” He was a founding member of the Traveling Wilburys.

Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, author, and visual artist whose career has spanned more than six decades. He has released dozens of critically acclaimed albums, including Blood on the Tracks and Highway 61 Revisited, and he has won multiple Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Nobel Prize in Literature. He joined the Traveling Wilburys in 1988.

Tom Petty was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer who rose to fame in the 1970s with his band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He released 13 studio albums, including Damn the Torpedoes and Full Moon Fever, and he received numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards. He was the last member to join the Traveling Wilburys.

Exploring the Musical Legacy of the Traveling Wilburys

The Traveling Wilburys released two studio albums during their brief tenure together, and both were met with critical and commercial acclaim. Here’s a look at the music they released.

Album Releases

The Traveling Wilburys released two studio albums: The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 in 1988 and The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 in 1990. Both albums were certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and reached the top 10 in the US and UK album charts. They also won two Grammy Awards, for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Long Form Music Video.

Singles and Other Songs

The Traveling Wilburys released five singles during their time together. Their biggest hit was “Handle With Care,” which reached number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 18 on the UK Singles Chart. Other notable songs include “End of the Line,” “She’s My Baby,” and “Wilbury Twist.”

Music Videos

The Traveling Wilburys also released several music videos for their songs. These included the videos for “Handle With Care,” “End of the Line,” and “Wilbury Twist.” The videos were well-received, and they helped to popularize the band and their music.

An In-Depth Look at the Members of the Traveling Wilburys

The members of the Traveling Wilburys were all iconic musicians in their own right. Here’s a closer look at each one.

George Harrison was a critically acclaimed musician and songwriter who was best known as the lead guitarist of The Beatles. He released several solo albums after the breakup of The Beatles, including All Things Must Pass and Cloud Nine. His guitar playing was praised by critics and fans alike, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

Roy Orbison was a singer-songwriter and musician whose career spanned four decades. He was known for his powerful voice and emotive lyrics, and his hits included “Oh, Pretty Woman” and “Crying.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and he was a founding member of the Traveling Wilburys.

Jeff Lynne was a songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist who was a key member of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). He has produced albums for artists like The Beatles and Tom Petty, and he has written and performed many hit songs, including “Don’t Bring Me Down” and “Evil Woman.” He was a founding member of the Traveling Wilburys.

Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, author, and visual artist whose career has spanned more than six decades. He has released dozens of acclaimed albums, including Blood on the Tracks and Highway 61 Revisited, and he has won multiple Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Nobel Prize in Literature. He joined the Traveling Wilburys in 1988.

A Timeline of the Traveling Wilburys and Their Members

The Traveling Wilburys formed in 1988 and released two studio albums before disbanding in 1991. Here’s a timeline of the band’s formation, successful album releases, and tours and appearances.

Formation of the Group

The Traveling Wilburys were formed in 1988 when George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, and Bob Dylan got together to record a song for Harrison’s album Cloud Nine. They wrote and recorded the song “Handle With Care” in just two days, and they decided to form a band. Tom Petty was invited to join the band shortly thereafter.

Successful Album Releases

The Traveling Wilburys released their first album, The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, in October 1988. The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching number three on the Billboard 200 and number one on the UK Albums Chart. They released their second album, The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, in October 1990. The album was also a success, reaching number 14 on the Billboard 200 and number seven on the UK Albums Chart.

Tours and Appearances

The Traveling Wilburys did not tour extensively, but they did make several live appearances. They appeared on Saturday Night Live in 1989 and made an appearance on MTV Unplugged in 1990. They also performed at a benefit concert for Nelson Mandela in London in 1988.

The Influence of the Traveling Wilburys on Music History

The Traveling Wilburys were a short-lived supergroup, but their influence on popular music can still be felt today. Here’s a look at their impact.

Impact on Popular Music

The Traveling Wilburys’ two albums were both critically and commercially successful, and they spawned several hit singles. The band’s sound was a blend of rock, pop, and folk, and it was unlike anything else that was being released at the time. The band’s influence can be heard in the music of subsequent generations of artists, from alternative rockers to pop stars.

Legacy in the Genre of Rock

The Traveling Wilburys left an indelible mark on the genre of rock music. They showed that a band could be comprised of members from different backgrounds and genres, and still create something unique and special. They also showed that even the most established musicians can come together and create something new and exciting. The Traveling Wilburys will always be remembered as one of the greatest bands in rock history.

How Each Member of the Traveling Wilburys Contributed to the Band’s Success

Each member of the Traveling Wilburys brought something unique to the group. Here’s a look at how each member contributed to the band’s success.

George Harrison was the leader of the group and the primary songwriter. He wrote the majority of the band’s songs, including “Handle With Care” and “End of the Line.” He also provided the band with a strong sense of direction and purpose.

Roy Orbison provided the band with a powerful vocal presence and emotive lyrics. His songs, such as “Not Alone Anymore” and “Congratulations,” showcased his unique style and gave the band a distinctive sound.

Jeff Lynne contributed his songwriting and production skills to the band. He co-wrote several songs, including “She’s My Baby” and “Margarita,” and he produced both of the band’s albums. He also provided the band with a strong sense of organization and structure.

Bob Dylan provided the band with a sense of credibility and legitimacy. His songwriting and vocal contributions, such as on “Tweeter and the Monkey Man” and “Nobody’s Child,” gave the band an edge and helped to broaden their appeal.

Tom Petty provided the band with a strong sense of energy and enthusiasm. His songs, such as “Last Night” and “Inside Out,” gave the band a more upbeat sound, and his vocals added an extra layer of depth to the band’s sound.

The Traveling Wilburys were a short-lived supergroup, but their influence on popular music can still be felt today. The five members of the group—George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, and Tom Petty—were all highly successful musicians in their own right, and each brought something unique to the band. Together, they created some of the most memorable music of the late 1980s, and their legacy will continue to live on.

(Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)

Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

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The Traveling Wilburys

The traveling wilburys artistfacts.

• 1988-1991 Bob Dylan 1988-1991 Tom Petty 1988-1991 George Harrison 1988-1991 Jeff Lynne 1988-1991 Roy Orbison 1988
• Based on the accomplishments of their members, Traveling Wilburys were the most super of supergroups. The lineup was Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne of ELO, all future members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• Harrison was the leader of the group. It came together when he needed a B-side for a single. He got his friend Jeff Lynne to work on it with him and Bob Dylan offered use of his garage studio. Tom Petty and Roy Orbison came along, so the five superstars found themselves together writing and recording the song on the spot: " Handle With Care ." They had such a good time making it and were so impressed with the results, they decided to form a band and include the song on a full album, which they recorded a month later.
• They were named after a slang term George Harrison and Jeff Lynne gave to studio equipment. The pair referred to equalizers and limiters as "wilburys," as in " we'll bury that mistake in the mix."
• Like the Ramones, each member took a moniker with the band name in it, although they changed their names for each album. Harrison was "Nelson Wilbury" for the first album and "Spike Wilbury" for the second.
• With the exception of "Handle With Care," the songs on their first album were all written and recorded in a two-week span at the house of Dave Stewart of Eurythmics. Stewart is British, but fell in love with Los Angeles when he came there in 1983. He befriended Tom Petty and co-wrote three songs for Petty's 1985 Southern Accents album, including the hit " Don't Come Around Here No More ." Stewart bought a place in the Encino area of Los Angeles and built a small studio on the grounds. His home became a gathering spot for the future Wilburys, and when they decided to make their album, Stewart gave them the keys. In a Songfacts interview with Stewart , he explained why he wasn't a Wilbury. "I would have loved to and I would have easily been an accepted Wilbury, but it was right at the period of Eurythmics making We Too Are One and touring it."
• Roy Orbison died in December 1988 just two months after their first album was released. The remaining Wilburys decided to make another album without him, which they released in 1990.
• They needed a drummer, so they brought in one of their favorite session players, Jim Keltner, to fill that role. He was credited as "Buster Sidebury," as he was a "sideman."
• The never performed live, in part because Harrison hated touring.

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• Pat Patrick from 98226 Music you can spend time with - Thank you Wp

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Traveling Wilburys: Tom Petty on the cosmic genesis of an extraordinary supergroup

“I was never afraid of Bob Dylan, he was always nice to me" - in 2010 the late Tom Petty told us how the Traveling Wilburys came into being

When people complain about overuse of the word 'Supergroup', it's not the Traveling Wilburys they're talking about. For this was a band so super that Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne were the junior partners. 

The rest? Bob Dylan . Roy Orbison. Oh yeah, and one of The Beatles . 

The Traveling Wilburys only managed to record one album with the original line-up before the death of Orbison, but a second arrived almost exactly two years later. And since then, two more of the Wilbury family have departed (Beatle George Harrison in 2001 and Petty in 2017).

In 2010, Tom Petty told Classic Rock about the band's cosmic origins, a serendipitous tale involving hurricanes, traffic lights and Christmas shopping. 

“My Wilbury nickname was Charlie T. Near the end of the [Heartbreakers] tour in 1987, we were in London. While we were there, George [Harrison] and Jeff [Lynne] would come to see us every night and usually come backstage afterwards. I remember we were having such a good time after one of the shows we stayed back there for hours. It was one of those, ‘You’ve got to leave, we are shutting the building down’ nights. I felt really inspired by it all. I remember thinking, ‘My God, this is great. I love these guys.’ 

“We went back to the hotel and a hurricane hit the middle of London the same night. They didn’t even predict it, but it ripped huge oaks out of the ground. I got up the next day and thought, ‘Holy cow, this is something.’ I always thought that hurricane had something to do with something. My life was different after that."

“I was back in America and it was a holiday. I think it was Thanksgiving, and I went to buy baseball gloves for a game. I pulled up to a red light and there was Jeff in the car next to me. I had seen him a few weeks before in England, but it seemed strange that he was at the red light and I waved at him. He was shocked too. We pulled over and he said, ‘Where are you going? Want to go to a session?’ I said, ‘No, I have got a thing going on at home.’ But I gave him my number and he called me the next day. 

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“We are very similar people in that we live the same kind of life. So it was great, he would come over and I would have a friend to hang around with. Then one day a week or two later, I was out Christmas shopping with my oldest daughter and there was this really nice French restaurant that we used to go to for special occasions. So we stopped. The waiter came up to us and said that there was a friend of mine in a private room and he would like to see me. 

"It turned out to be George [Harrison]. When I got there, he said, ‘This is so strange. I was writing your number down from Jeff and they told me you were in the next room.’ I agreed it was strange. Cosmic, even."

“Then he asked me where I was going. I told him I was going home and he asked if he could come with me. Without even thinking about it I said, ‘Yeah.’ So he came home with me and he spent the holiday and we became good friends. “Jeff kept telling me that he had been talking with Roy Orbison about coming out to California, and I said, ‘Wow, that is pretty supernatural.’ 

"Jeff said that he’d talked to him about recording and thought he’d be up for it. I said that I’d love to see that if he comes out. I didn’t hear any more about it for a while, but Jeff phoned me one afternoon and said, ‘Hey man, Roy Orbison is over here and we are going to write a song. Roy asked if you would come over and help us with it.’ I said, ‘Hey man, I am there, baby!’. 

“I was never afraid of Bob [Dylan], he was always nice to me. I have never been in awe of anyone and I think it’s worked in my favour. Dylan comes from folk music where if you wanted to play an extra bar you could, so he might play five bars instead of four and think nothing of it. There is an air of spontaneity about him; if things get too well rehearsed he doesn’t seem to like it. Although he never said it to me, I think he likes to keep things a little bit edgy. 

“A lot of people think that the Traveling Wilburys were united because it was a good idea, but really we were pals and hanging out long before the Wilburys.”

Online Editor at Louder/Classic Rock magazine since 2014. 38 years in music industry, online for 25. Also bylines for: Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, The Word Magazine, The Guardian, The New Statesman, Saga, Music365. Former Head of Music at Xfm Radio, A&R at Fiction Records, early blogger, ex-roadie, published author. Once appeared in a Cure video dressed as a cowboy, and thinks any situation can be improved by the introduction of cats. Favourite Serbian trumpeter: Dejan Petrović.  

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The 10 Best Traveling Wilburys Songs of All-Time

The 1970s may have been the era of the supergroup, but the most super of them all arrived nearly two decades later. Formed by George Harrison , Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan , and Tom Petty in the late ’80s, the Traveling Wilburys bought together some of the best singers and songwriters of the 20th century.

But while they may have been the ultimate supergroup, they were also the antithesis of every supergroup that had come before. There was no self-importance, no egos, and no attempt to be anything other than a bunch of song and dance men trying to introduce a little sunshine into the world – something that, as our pick of the 10 best Traveling Wilburys songs of all time shows, they more than achieved.

10. Congratulations

Kicking off our roundup of the 10 best Traveling Wilburys songs of all time is Congratulations, a slow-burning, emotionally charged number that chronicles the breakdown of a relationship. Despite the heaviness of the subject matter, the song, like the rest of the band’s output, is studded with enough humor and freewheeling whimsy to give it a sense of charming buoyancy.

9. Heading for the Light

Heading for the Light was written primarily by George Harrison, who also takes the lion’s share of the vocals alongside Jeff Lynne. The lyrics, which describe the singer’s journey from a point of doubt and confusion to a place of surety, have been described by author Ian Inglis and various other biographers as Harrison’s “most joyous account to date of the spiritual journey that had saved him from despair.”

An upbeat rocker with an exhilarating melody and a wonderfully ebullient vocal performance from the two leads, it’s one of the most joyously life-affirming records in the band’s catalog. Released as a single in October 1988, it reached number 7 on Billboard’s Album Rock Tracks chart.

8. Nobody’s Child

After George Harrison’s wife, Olivia, asked for the band’s help in raising awareness for the plight of thousands of Romanian orphans left abandoned in state-run orphanages following the fall of communism, Bob Dylan suggested they record Nobody’s Child, an old pop standard from the 1940s.

Harrison subsequently reworked the lyrics to include a new verse about the abandoned children, and the lead vocals were shared out between Dylan, Harrison, Petty and Lynne. It was released as a charity single in June 1990, with all proceeds from the sale going towards the Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation.

There’s some jaw-dropping guitar playing from George Harrison on Rattled, but the stars of the show on this rockabilly showstopper are Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne, whose exquisite vocals add enough body and character to the song for it to get up and walk. A lusty romp rich in humor and good-time vibes, it’s an unmissable highlight from the band’s equally unmissable debut album.

6. She’s My Baby

She’s My Baby, the opening track to The Traveling Wilbury’s final album (and the first following the death of Roy Orbison), Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, was written by all four remaining members of the band, with each also taking a share of the vocals. Released in November 1990 as the first single from the album, it became one of the band’s biggest hits, spending three weeks at number 2 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks.

5. Last Night

As Classic Rock Review explains , most of the writing of Last Night was taken care of by Tom Petty, with the rest of the group jumping in from time to time with their own contributions. The approach demonstrates one of the key strengths of the band’s attitude to songcraft, with Petty’s straightforward, three-chord folk pattern contrasting beautifully with Orbison’s elaborate, Latin-inspired bridges.

A whimsical tale of romance laced with a vague menace and a big helping of humor, it’s a delight, particularly in respect of how genuinely joyful the band seems to be in each other’s company.

4. Dirty World

The second Dylan-led track from the band’s debut is Dirty World, a loose, buoyant rocker about lasting love. Sung with a lusty relish by Dylan, it’s a gleeful, toe-tapping delight, with a propulsive melody and enough energetic blasts of horn to keep you bopping the whole way through. The final round featuring all four members of the band adds to the freewheeling appeal.

3. Tweeter and the Monkey Man

According to Wikipedia , Tweeter and the Monkey Man is thought to have been written as a playful homage to Bruce Springsteen, someone who at the time was constantly being referred to as the next in a very long line of Bob Dylans.

Considering the number of Springsteen song titles scattered throughout the lyrics, not to mention the seedy, Springsteen-esque story filled with desperate characters and dark goings-on, it could well be. Either way, it’s a delicious slice of rock, with a dark, folky melody and elaborate arrangments that perfectly echo the cinematic quality of the lyrics.

Since its release, it’s been covered by numerous artists, including Canadian rock band Headstone, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and P. Paul Fenech of The Meteors.

2. End of the Line

End of the Line, the closing track from The Traveling Wilburys’ multi-platinum selling 1989 debut, finds the band on familiar territory, singing about spiritual strength and survival with the same sense of warm camaraderie that undercuts the entire album.

Each of the band’s members takes a turn at the mic, creating what All Music describes as a fun, almost hootenanny style. Released in January 1989 as the band’s second single, the song peaked at No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and at No. 2 on the Album Rock Tracks chart.

1. Handle with Care

George Harrison and Jeff Lynne had originally intended Handle with Care to serve as a bonus track to one of Harrison’s European singles, but Harrison’s record label recognized its strength and suggested they find a bigger outlet for it… a request that subsequently led to them forming the Wilburys.

Fittingly, the band issued the song as their debut single, with Harrison taking care of the verses, and Orbison and Dylan managing the bridges. With its joyous camaraderie and theme of survival, it was a superb introduction to the group, and remains their most enduringly popular record to this day.

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No, do not confuse this Thomas Newman with the composer. But I'm still a music lover nonetheless. You'll catch me mostly writing articles about the artists and bands I love. Maybe some theory. Maybe some analysis. Whatever lands in the world of music is something I'm likely interested in. In particular I'm a huge fan of classic rock and the oldies. Zeppelin are among my favorites and Foghat's "Slowride" is one of my favorite tracks.

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Heading for the Light should be #3, if not higher.

One of many I love ❤️ to dance to. Get rhythm and 💓 💓 beats.

Mindbogglingly good. It does not and can not get better than this.

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Top 10 Traveling Wilburys Songs

The supergroup known as the Traveling Wilburys originally came as an idea from George Harrison and Jeff Lynne while Harrison was on his 1987 Cloud Nine tour. As of April 1988, the five-man band saw the talent of George Harrison and Jeff Lynne team up with Bob Dylan , Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty. These artists had already earned their brand of fame as individual artists and as part of another big-name music group. Initially, the idea was to collaborate on the single “Handle with Care simply,” but those involved agreed it was too good to become a limited release simply. As a result, all five band members recorded a full studio album, the Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 .

After Roy Orbison’s death in December 1988, the Traveling Wilburys released a second studio album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, released in 1990. This somewhat shortened the vision George Harrison had in mind for the group, as it was intended to have a series of albums and a film about the band. The group released its final music production in February 1991. There was a 2007 DVD box set that George Harrison’s estate released that was titled The Traveling Wilburys Collection . It featured a series of music videos and a documentary about the band’s short-lived existence.

In the Beginning

The concept behind the Traveling Wilburys began to take root after George Harrison mentioned he was doing an album with some of his closest peers in the music industry. For George Harrison , he chose Bob Dylan to become a Wilbury, while Jeff Lynne chose Roy Orbison. The meaning behind “Wilbury” came from recording sessions for George Harrison’s Cloud Nine album that began in 1987. There were recording errors when George Harrison jokingly commented to Jeff Lynne , “We’ll bury ’em in the mix.” From then on, it became a term each time something went wrong while performing music. The name of Wilbury took form and soon expanded to become the Traveling Wilburys by Lynne’s naming suggestion.

George Harrison , a fan of Bob Dylan and his music, invited him as a Traveling Wilbury when Dylan’s career as a recording artist seemed to hit the skids. This project served as a revival for him and Tom Petty , who was already friends with George Harrison and Jeff Lynne  as of 1987. At the time, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were touring in Europe as Bob Dylan’s backing band. The rapport that was built, namely between George Harrison and Petty, grew as the two shared their fondness for 1950s rock music. As for Jeff Lynne , working with his musical idol, Roy Orbison , was like a boyhood dream come true. Jeff Lynne also worked with Tom Petty and Roy Orbison for their solo albums Full Moon Fever and Mystery Girl , respectively.

Each member of the Traveling Wilburys already established music styles that made each man his star. It was classic to see the blending of such talent come together as a band that made a niche out of pseudonyms as half brothers calling themselves members of the Wilbury family. For George Harrison , the formula of this talent pool meant each member had to get along with each other, and this wasn’t a problem for any of the men involved. They shared common interests, including the Monty Python comedy troupe, who Roy Orbison was able to impersonate with remarkable perfection.

When the band officially came together in 1988, it was hard to believe the Traveling Wilburys technically was a band that featured five men each with his taste of fame. When Roy Orbison was recruited to join the group, the excitement level of Bob Dylan , George Harrison , Jeff Lynne , and Petty wasn’t much different than a group of teenagers realizing they’ve just brought a beloved icon into their midst. Also, due to the lack of professional studio availability, the recording of “Handle with Care” took place out of Bob Dylan’s  garage studio in Malibu, California.

Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1

The album Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 came about after the song “Handle with Care” inspired each group member to work on additional music material. This also led to filming the group’s creative process, which Harrison later edited to use as a promotional film for Warner Bros. It was titled Whatever Wilbury Wilbury . The album’s recording took approximately ten days in May 1988 as Bob Dylan prepared for his upcoming Never Ending Tour .

The recording sessions for this album took place in the Los Angeles home of Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame. In his kitchen, all five men sat in a circle to play acoustic guitar. Their vocal work was recorded in another room, usually timed at night after dinner. For each of these five men, there was mutual respect for each other as artists and as people. As they treated each other, George Harrison was respected as the band’s leader as he had the instinct to bring out the best in each person involved. Accompanying the Traveling Wilburys was also the “Sideburys” that featured Jim Keltner on drums, Jim Horn on saxophone, and percussionist Ray Cooper.

On October 18, 1988, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 was released through Warner Bros. As a means to be regarded as a group with its own identity, Bob Dylan , George Harrison , Jeff Lynne , Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty pretended to be sons of the same father but from different mothers. The fictional Charles Truscott Wilbury Sr. was hammed up even further by Orbison as he described this father figure as a cad who also happened to be a Baptist minister. Even Monty Python’s Michael Palin got in on the act as he wrote the fictional history of the Wilbury Family as liner notes on the album’s cover.

The style of music that defined Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 deliberately contrasted against the contemporary music styles that were trendy at the time. This formula worked in the group’s favor as it was recognized in 1990 by the Grammy Awards for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group. The critical and commercial success of Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 inspired the five to keep this good thing going. Unfortunately, Roy Orbison died of a heart attack on December 6, 1988, bringing the five-man roster down to four.

Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3

The loss of Roy Orbison shook up Bob Dylan , George Harrison , Jeff Lynne , and Tom Petty . It also shook up the entire music industry and the fans. After Roy Orbison’s death, there was speculation Del Shannon or Roger McGuinn would join the Traveling Wilburys but it was determined by the remaining four members that Roy Orbison was not to be replaced. Now as a quartet, the men agreed to keep moving forward. Clean into 1989, George Harrison kept promoting the Traveling Wilburys, waiting for each artist to finish his solo artist schedules so the group could pick up where they left off. However, this also occurred when Bob Dylan was determined to capitalize on the revival of his solo career, which led to scheduling issues.

When the group began to record together again, it was intended to label the second album as Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, and on October 29, 1990, it was released. As was the case during the first album’s recording, Dylan’s tight schedule dictated the duration of the main album sessions. With Roy “Lefty Wilbury” Roy Orbison no longer with the band, the lead vocals were shared more prominently among Dylan, Harrison, and Petty. Just like the first album, a member of Monty Python’s cast, this time Eric Idle, used a pseudonym to write up notes about the Wilburys. Unlike the first album, however, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 wasn’t quite as successful as the first.

After the album’s release, Dylan, Jeff Lynne , and Petty were eager to reunite again. As for George Harrison , he no longer shared the same enthusiasm of the Traveling Wilburys as he did in the beginning. There was talk of a potential 1991 tour but that never materialized, despite the fact the popularity was there for the men to pull it off successfully.

Traveling Wilburys Legacy

According to The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll, the Traveling Wilburys were described as the ultimate supergroup. The fraternal alter egos involved, along with the humor, served as the key element to what made the Wilburys so appealing. The lightheartedness that went into the supergroup’s presentation as half-brothers of some fictional family instead of exploiting each artist’s musical resume served as a piece of sunshine into the world that’s become too dark and severe for its good. In the least offensive manner possible, the buck against global authority and expectations were beautifully carried out by all five band members in a manner Harrison purposely engineered.

The legacy of the Traveling Wilburys recorded and released two studio albums and a box set. In total, ten songs from the group appeared on the music charts, as well as thirty-three registered collaborations.

# 10 – Tweeter and the Monkey Man

In 1989, “Tweeter and the Monkey Man” peaked at number forty-one on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, coming from the album Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 . In this ballad, Bob Dylan served as the lead vocalist that featured George Harrison Jeff Lynne  and Tom Petty singing as backing vocalists. It is the only song that excluded Roy Orbison’s vocal talent. The lyrical tale is about two drug dealers, “Tweeter and the Monkey Man.” It brought up a situation they had with an undercover cop whose sister was the love interest of one of the dealers. The verbal content in the song raised questions about one of the drug dealer’s gender as it seemed to toy with him, starting as a man, only to become a woman at some given point in the storyline.

Read More: Top 10 Bob Dylan Songs Of The 1970s

# 9 – Wilbury Twist

The music video behind “Wilbury Twist” featured a handful of comedic celebrities, including John Candy, Whoopi Goldberg, Woody Harrelson, Eric Idle, Cheech Marin, Jimmy Nail, Ben Savage, Fred Savage, and Kala Savage. The highlight features attempts to master the song’s eponymous dance style as the band members perform the song. Fast, comedic, and dance-happy, “Wilbury Twist” seemed to serve as a friendly jab to famous 1950s and 1960s hits like “The Twist” and “Let’s Twist Again.” There’s even an offbeat reference to the folk classic, “Hokey Cokey/Pokey,” that’s had several versions of that song since the early 1800s.

# 8 – Nobody’s Child

The 1990 song “Nobody’s Child” was recorded by the Traveling Wilburys for Olivia Harrison’s charity project, Romanian Angel Appeal. It was a cover version from Hank Snow’s 1949 original that had become a standard despite failing to appear on any music charts when he released it. George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, and Tom Petty agreed to record this single at the request of George Harrison’s wife, Olivia. The purpose behind the single was to raise awareness and funds for the Romanian orphans who were abandoned in state-run orphanages after the fall of Eastern Europe’s Communism. Bob Dylan suggested “Nobody’s Child” as a song for its relevance.

The first verse of Snow’s original was used, followed by a new second verse to address the situation of the children in Romania. The recordings featured the vocals of Dylan, Harrison, Lynne, and Petty, which took them forty-eight hours to do after receiving Olivia Harrison’s pleading phone call. “Nobody’s Child” was released as a charity single on June 18, 1990, followed by a music video that used animation and news footage of the Romanian children. On the Official New Zealand Music Chart, “Nobody’s Child” peaked at number nine. In the UK, it was a number forty-four hit. “Nobody’s Child” also appeared on Australia’s ARIA chart, peaking as high as number sixty-six.

Read More: Top 10 George Harrison Songs

# 7 – Not Alone Any More

Roy Orbison was the lead vocalist of “Not Alone Any More,” a song from the 1988 album Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1. The lonely yet romantic theme served as a trip down memory lane, as Orbison’s dark ballads of the 1960s seemed to influence the performance that went into “Not Alone Anymore.” Although this song was not released as a single and did not appear on any music charts, it was highly favored by many music critics and fans.

Read More: Top 10 Roy Orbison Songs

# 6 – Inside Out

Released as the second single from the Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 album, “Inside Out” became a number sixteen hit on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and a number fifty hit on the Canadian Singles Chart in 1990. The focus of “Inside Out” revolved around a world that has turned yellow due to the environmental issues that have plagued it. It was issued as a promotional single in the U.S. and as a commercial single among some other nations. According to George Harrison , he and the remaining bandmate roster of Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne , and Tom Petty had the musical part of “Inside Out” completed within an hour, which served as encouragement that the Traveling Wilburys could still carry on despite the tragic loss of bandmate Roy Orbison .

Read More: Complete List Of Tom Petty An The Heartbreakers Albums

# 5 – Heading for the Light

“Heading for the Light” was a number seven hit on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and a number eighty-eight hit in Australia after it was released in 1989. It was the third and final single from the Traveling Wilburys’ first album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 . Although George Harrison wrote the song, the entire supergroup received the credit. George Harrison and Jeff Lynne were the lead vocalists in this song, and it was issued as a promotional single in the U.S.

“Heading for the Light” was a song that illustrated the singer’s decision to trek on a sure path after dealing with personal issues as he reconnected with his spiritual side. The saxophone solos are credited to Jim Horn, acting like a transitional bridge from self-doubt to self-confidence. The backing vocals provided by Roy Orbison carried forth an ethereal presence while the guitar riffs by George Harrison seemed to set the overall tempo of a spiritual song.

Read More: Top 10 Electric Light Orchestra Songs

#4 – She’s My Baby

On the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, “She’s My Baby” peaked as high as number two after its release in 1990. It was a number thirty hit on the Canadian Singles Chart, a number fifty-eight hit in Australia, and a number seventy-nine hit in the UK. It was released as the first single from the Traveling Wilburys’ second album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 . Now with a roster of four stars instead of five due to the untimely death of Roy Orbison , the vocal performance was shared between George Harrison , Jeff Lynne , Bob Dylan, and Tom Petty as each sang a portion of the track. In the U.S., “She’s My Baby” was only issued as a promotional single.

Read More: Top 10 Tom Petty Songs

# 3 – You Got It

Technically speaking, “You Got It” is credited to Roy Orbison as it came from his final album before his death, Mystery Girl . At the time of recording, he was still a Traveling Wilbury member, but working with the supergroup inspired him to record his first all-new material album since 1979. Some fans thought “You Got It” was a hit single by the Traveling Wilburys, but this was not the case. However, the bandmates from that group, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne , co-wrote this song, sang as backup, and played the instruments for it and the rest of the music on the Mystery Girl album. Jeff Lynne was also the record’s producer.

Even George Harrison , the brainchild behind Traveling Wilburys, was involved. Bob Dylan was the only name missing from the lineup, but he was very busy with his solo career. Mystery Girl was Roy Orbison’s twenty-second studio album. It was released posthumously on January 3, 1989, nearly a month after he died of a heart attack at fifty-two years old. “You Got It” peaked at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was a number one hit on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It would be the first time Roy Orbison had a top ten hit in twenty-five years. This single peaked as high as number three on the UK Singles Chart. The music video for “You Got It” came from the performance Roy Orbison did at the Diamond Awards Festival in Belgium on November 19, 1988.

Orbison died seventeen days later, on December 6, 1988. This single earned a gold certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association, Music Canada, and the Swedish Recording Industry Association. It also became certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry. Despite the credit of “You Got It” going to Roy Orbison as a solo artist, it still has the solid influence of the Traveling Wilburys that is heard in it from start to finish.

# 2 – End of the Line

“End of the Line” was a tribute song the remaining members of the Traveling Wilburys performed in memory of Roy Orbison . The music video showed Roy Orbison’s guitar and photo rocking in a chair whenever his vocals were heard. It was the final track on Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 , released in October 1988. Shortly after Orbison died in December of that year, “End of the Line” was released in January 1989. This was released during the same time as Roy Orbison’s twenty-second and final studio album, Mystery Girl .

That recording also involved most of the Traveling Wilburys and had been mistaken as the supergroup’s second studio album. This is partly why the supergroup’s second studio album was titled Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 . “End of the Line” featured George Harrison , Jeff Lynne , and Roy Orbison singing the choruses in turn while Tom Petty sang the verses.

When it was released as a single, it peaked as high as number two on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, a number twenty-eight hit on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and a number sixty-three hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. On the Canadian Singles Chart, “End of the Line” peaked at number eight. It was also an international hit, peaking as high as number eleven in New Zealand, twelve in Australia, and at number fifty-two in the UK.

#1 – Handle with Care

“Handle with Care” earned its name after seeing this label on a box inside Bob Dylan’s garage studio. After it was recorded and presented to the executives of Warner Bros., the appeal of the song was so great that it prompted the full studio album recording of Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 . On the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and the Canadian Singles Chart, “Handle with Care” peaked at number two. On the US Billboard Hot 100, it charted as high as number forty-five, and it was a number thirty hit on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

“Handle with Care” also made a top five chart impression on the music charts belonging to Australia and New Zealand. On the official UK Singles Chart, it peaked at number twenty-one. Of all the singles the Traveling Wilburys released as a supergroup, “Handle with Care” was the most successful. The survival-themed storyline behind the song reflected on a generation that came out of the shadows of the 1960s, heading into the 1970s with the ability to handle each obstacle with care.

After the song was written and recorded, the issue of coming up with a title came up. After looking around Dylan’s garage, George Harrison spotted the label “Handle with Care.” Given the song’s content and mixed music styles that meshed country, folk, and rock together, it was perfect.

Updated May 14, 2024

Feature Photo: Takahiro Kyono from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Traveling Wilburys Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024

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About the author.

Millie Zeiler

Millie Zeiler is a long time music journalist from Canada who covers all styles of music.

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