28 April 2023 | Updated: 12 April 2024
By Thomas Curtis-Horsfall
For music enthusiasts, the concept of a supergroup – a band comprised of already famous musicians – is endlessly fascinating. The potential blend of talents and styles from iconic figures creates an irresistible allure. In the 1980s, however, a supergroup emerged that surpassed all expectations: The Traveling Wilburys. But who were Traveling Wilburys and how did this extraordinary collaboration come to fruition?
Composed of George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison, the Traveling Wilburys boasted a lineup where even Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra and Tom Petty were arguably the ‘junior’ members. When you consider that the ensemble also included Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, and George Harrison – a former Beatle – the sheer star power becomes evident.
The logistics of assembling such a constellation of musical giants seem daunting. Scheduling conflicts and potential ego clashes are just the tip of the iceberg, even before considering whether creative synergy exists. Yet, the story of how the Traveling Wilburys formed is surprisingly organic, almost serendipitous. In essence, it was a fortunate accident that birthed one of music history’s most beloved supergroups.
The Accidental Genesis of a Supergroup
Before officially becoming the Traveling Wilburys, each member was already connected, either through friendship or mutual acquaintances within the music industry. Having all reached significant levels of fame and influence, their paths had crossed at various points.
George Harrison became the catalyst for their unprecedented collaboration. He was working on a follow-up to his successful album Cloud Nine and needed a bonus track, a B-side, to complete the record. Already collaborating with Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty on various projects, Harrison casually invited Lynne and Roy Orbison to contribute to a new song during a dinner. They agreed, and due to the short notice, the impromptu recording session took place in Bob Dylan’s garage studio.
The track, later titled ‘Handle With Care’ – inspired by a label on a box in Dylan’s garage – was unexpectedly well-received by Harrison’s record label. In fact, they felt the song was too good to be just a B-side and encouraged Harrison to develop it further, along with Orbison and Lynne. Tom Petty was also brought in to work on the track, solidifying the initial core group.
Bob Dylan Joins the Ranks
The prospect of continuing to create music with fellow rock icons was exciting for George Harrison, who was particularly keen to involve Bob Dylan. At the time, Dylan was perceived to be in a creative and commercial slump.
Despite Dylan’s legendary status, Tom Petty recounted that Harrison felt it necessary to establish a level playing field from the outset. As Petty recalled, Harrison addressed Dylan directly on their first day of songwriting, saying, “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.” Dylan’s response was equally grounded: “Well, great. Believe it or not, I’m in awe of you guys, and it’s the same for me.” This mutual respect proved crucial to their creative chemistry.
Their shared admiration for 1950s rock ‘n’ roll and skiffle music further cemented their bond and inspired the band’s quirky name, The Traveling Wilburys. Roy Orbison’s talent for impersonations, especially his Monty Python sketches, greatly amused George Harrison, who had close ties to the British comedy group.
Driven by the enthusiasm surrounding ‘Handle With Care’, the Traveling Wilburys officially formed and embarked on recording their debut album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1.
A Harmonious Creative Environment
Recording sessions for Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 took place at Dave Stewart’s home studio. Stewart, of Eurythmics fame, could have potentially been a Wilbury himself, but was focused on his own band’s album at the time. The sessions exceeded all expectations, with each member contributing equally and drawing inspiration from each other’s unique songwriting and recording approaches.
George Harrison naturally assumed the role of de facto bandleader and manager, prioritizing the preservation of their camaraderie. He stated, “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… that their friendship wasn’t abused. Just to preserve our friendship – that was the underlying contribution, I think, that I was trying to do.”
The Traveling Wilburys experience was not only creatively fulfilling but also revitalized the careers of Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. Roy Orbison, in particular, was thrilled with the album’s success, as it brought him his first hit record in many years.
The Traveling Wilburys perform 'End Of The Line' in their official music video.
The Legacy of the Wilburys
Despite the album’s success, the Traveling Wilburys never toured. George Harrison, initially hesitant about the rigors of touring, preferred to avoid the typical rock ‘n’ roll tour lifestyle, even though he briefly warmed to the idea.
Tragedy struck shortly after their debut album’s release when Roy Orbison passed away from a heart attack on December 6, 1988, at the age of 52. His death deeply saddened the remaining members, who found solace in the fact that Orbison had experienced a significant creative resurgence before his passing. Jeff Lynne expressed his devastation, noting, “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.”
The remaining quartet – Harrison, Dylan, Petty, and Lynne – reunited for a second album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, in 1990, even earning a Grammy Award. However, they acknowledged that the magical chemistry of their first album was difficult to recapture without Orbison.
Despite their brief time together and just two albums, the Traveling Wilburys remain a unique and cherished chapter in music history. Emerging during the rise of acid house and hip-hop, their sound was a refreshing anomaly. Author Alan Clayson aptly described their arrival as akin to “a Viking longship docking in a hovercraft terminal,” highlighting their distinctiveness.
Ultimately, the Traveling Wilburys were simply a group of friends enjoying making music together. Their collective genius, however, transformed this casual collaboration into a legendary supergroup that continues to captivate music lovers today.
