The recent passing of Tom Petty served as a poignant reminder of one of rock music’s most unique and beloved supergroups: The Traveling Wilburys. As we reflected on Petty’s immense contributions in a previous article, it’s impossible not to recall the serendipitous formation and the lasting impact of this extraordinary collective. While their official lifespan was brief, primarily anchored by their debut album, the Traveling Wilburys left an indelible mark on music history, amplified by the presence of the incomparable Roy Orbison. His untimely death marked a true “end of the line” for this specific constellation of talent.
Roy Orbison stands as a titan among rock vocalists. His unparalleled range and effortless delivery set a benchmark few could even dream of reaching. Ironically, the Traveling Wilburys project arrived at a pivotal moment, injecting fresh energy into Orbison’s career after the 1970s had seemingly dimmed his star. This collaboration provided a vital platform for his resurgence and reminded the world of his undiminished brilliance.
Orbison’s journey was marked by both extraordinary highs and devastating lows. Discovered in the 1950s by the legendary Sam Phillips of Sun Records, he navigated a period of relative obscurity before achieving phenomenal success in the early 1960s with a string of iconic hits. However, personal tragedy struck repeatedly. The loss of his first wife in a car accident was followed, just two years later, by the horrific fire that claimed the lives of two of his three sons. If ever an artist deserved a resurgence and a moment of joy, it was Roy Orbison.
Fate intervened in 1988 when, after the Wilburys phenomenon, Orbison released “You Got It,” one of his most significant hits in decades. Tragically, his renewed success was short-lived, as he passed away shortly after. Yet, before his passing, a remarkable tribute concert, “A Black and White Night,” captured a night of immense admiration and served as a pre-emptive memorial. A constellation of stars, including Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, k.d. lang, Tom Waits, Bonnie Raitt, and many more, joined Orbison on stage, backed by Elvis Presley’s legendary TCB Band, featuring guitarist James Burton. This unforgettable event, available on DVD, is a testament to Orbison’s enduring influence and is a must-see for any music enthusiast.
Bruce Springsteen, a devoted admirer of Orbison, once spoke of him with reverence typically reserved for icons. For Springsteen and countless others, Orbison’s vocal prowess was the gold standard. It was Springsteen who had the honor of inducting Roy Orbison into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In his heartfelt introduction, Springsteen confessed, “In 1975, when I went into the studio to make Born to Run, I wanted to make a record with words like Bob Dylan that sounded like Phil Spector. But most of all, I wanted to sing like Roy Orbison.” This sentiment echoed the feelings of all the Wilburys members.
While the Traveling Wilburys undoubtedly aimed to spotlight Orbison’s comeback, the project was far from a mere vehicle for his promotion. Each member – George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Orbison – contributed equally to the writing, singing, and production of their seminal album, VOLUME ONE. Embracing the persona of a genuine band, they adopted Wilbury “first names,” presenting themselves as musical brothers. In essence, they were.
Intriguingly, for their second album, the pseudonyms were playfully altered. On VOLUME ONE, the lineup was Otis Wilbury (Jeff Lynne), Nelson Wilbury (George Harrison), Lefty Wilbury (Roy Orbison), Charley T. Wilbury, Jr. (Tom Petty), and Lucky Wilbury (Bob Dylan). Mutual respect and admiration permeated the group dynamic, with egos consciously set aside during the recording sessions. The palpable joy they experienced in creating music together is evident in every track.
The origin of “The Traveling Wilburys” name itself is shrouded in playful mystery. While fanciful theories involving medieval troubadours circulated, the truth is more grounded in the realities of studio recording. “Wilbury” emerged as an inside joke between Harrison and Lynne during the CLOUD NINE sessions. When technical glitches led to minor recording imperfections, Harrison lightheartedly suggested, “We’ll bury ’em in the mix.” “Wilburys” then became their shorthand for any small error, a term that resurfaced when this constellation of stars convened to record their album, adding a touch of lighthearted camaraderie to the supergroup’s identity.
Following the resounding success of “Handle With Care,” the second single from VOLUME ONE was “End of the Line.” This title proved to be unintentionally prophetic, marking the conclusion of this particular lineup due to Orbison’s passing. However, the music and the memories of the Traveling Wilburys Group continue to resonate. As the lyrics of “End of the Line” suggest, “Maybe somewhere down the road aways, you’ll think of me, wonder where I am these days. Maybe somewhere down the road when someone plays Purple Haze,” their music ensures they remain a cherished part of the musical landscape, forever traveling down the road in our collective memory.
