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Lucky, Lefty, Nelson, Otis and Charlie T, Jr – together, they were known as The Traveling Wilburys, but who was really behind the curly hair and shades?

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Lucky, Lefty, Nelson, Otis and Charlie T, Jr – together, they were known as The Traveling Wilburys, but who was really behind the curly hair and shades? One obfuscating legend claimed they were “the only known surviving members of this once great tribe of wandering musicians,” with an ancestry that “goes back so far that their exact origins have become extremely difficult to… separate from the legends and myths that have grown around them.”

The irony was that this was just one of many myths that surrounded the musicians who, individually, had been the subject of many a rock’n’roll rumor before they joined forces as The Traveling Wilburys. By the time Bob Dylan, George Harrison , Roy Orbison , Tom Petty , and Jeff Lynne convened in 1988, they’d individually been the subject of many an article – and, in some cases, book – that invariably raised more questions than they answered. That said, the fact that the group existed at all seems to have been augured by the fates. Turns out the Wilburys had been crisscrossing each other’s paths for decades.

Listen to The Traveling Wilburys Collection on Apple Music and Spotify .

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Roy Orbison, for instance, had toured with The Beatles at the height of Beatlemania, establishing himself as a massive star in the UK. Shortly after, Dylan and Harrison became life-long friends – and professional rivals – as he and The Beatles pushed rock music to ever greater heights during the 60s. As the 70s dawned, Dylan was guest of honor at the Concert For Bangladesh – a rare appearance during that period in his career, and something only Harrison could have conjured.

A magnet for creative talent, Harrison enlisted Jeff Lynne to produce his 1987 solo album, Cloud Nine . That same year, Dylan was touring with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers as his backing band, and it wouldn’t be long before Lynne was manning the boards for solo albums by Tom Petty ( Full Moon Fever ) and Roy Orbison ( Mystery Girl ).

Despite the self-created myth that surrounded “Lucky,” “Lefty,” “Nelson,” “Otis” and “Charlie T, Jr,” the Wilburys’ creation story is actually pretty well known: Harrison needed a B-side for his Cloud Nine single “This Is Love,” fortuitously had three of the others on hand to pitch in, and brought Petty into the fold when he swung by the erstwhile Heartbreaker’s house to retrieve his guitar. The result, “Handle With Care,” was too good to hide away on a single flip… so while these multi-millionaire rock stars were enjoying making music with no egos or no pressure – playing and recording just for the fun of it – they thought they’d knock out a whole album.

They chose their Traveling Wilburys moniker after the nickname that Lynne and Harrison had for spooky goings on with studio equipment – and, as Petty put it, because they “didn’t want it to sound like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, like a bunch of lawyers.” In the studio they captured magic: a whole history of rock’n’roll, country, and pop, making the Wilburys a perfectly formed supergroup that embodied the very essence of Americana.

With a nod to Orbison’s Sun labelmates, the famed Million Dollar Quartet – Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash , Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins – the individual Wilburys can comfortably claim to be the Billion Dollar Quintet. Come with us behind the shades as we pin these traveling troubadours down…

Bob Dylan (aka Lucky Wilbury)

In the early 60s, Bob Dylan emerged as an astonishingly prolific folk singer who doffed his flat cap to Woody Guthrie; with songs such as “Blowin’ In The Wind” he quickly established himself as a pioneering protest singer. Fast outstripping that scene, however, Dylan altered the face of rock music with his “thin, wild mercury sound,” as captured on Blonde On Blonde , and elevated lyric-writing to the level of poetry with epochal songs the likes of “Mr Tambourine Man” and “Like A Rolling Stone.” “Tangled Up In Blue” remains a masterpiece from his mid-70s “break-up album,” Blood On The Tracks , while “Hurricane” saw him return to the protest themes that he initially made his name with.

Traveling Wilburys highlights: “Tweeter And The Monkey Man,” “Dirty World,” and “7 Deadly Sins”

Listen to the Lucky Wilbury playlist on Spotify .

George Harrison (aka Nelson Wilbury)

As one of The Beatles, George Harrison blazed a trail through pop music like no other guitarist of his generation. He is almost single-handedly responsible for introducing Eastern music into mainstream Western rock and pop, while, as the 60s progressed, he became that rarest of beasts: a lead guitarist with impeccable songwriting skills. “Here Comes The Sun,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Something” remain some of The Beatles’ most-loved songs; after the group split, Harrison burst forth with an almost unstoppable creative flow, penning classics such as “My Sweet Lord” and “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth),” while also recording the definitive version of the Rudy Clark-penned “Got My Mind Set On You.” Though he succumbed to cancer in 2001, his posthumous album, Brainwashed , released in 2002, contained “Stuck Inside A Cloud,” which proved that Harrison’s creativity remained undimmed right until the very end.

Traveling Wilburys highlights: “Handle With Care,” “Heading For The Light,” and “Maxine”

Listen to the Nelson Wilbury playlist on Spotify .

Roy Orbison (aka Lefty Wilbury)

The one Wilbury with roots to Sun Records and the birth of rock’n’roll in the 50s, Roy Orbison brought a special gravitas to the group. With songs such as “In Dreams” and “Only The Lonely,” Orbison patented a strain of emotive songwriting that continues to send chills down the spine, while “Oh, Pretty Woman” showed that he could knock out a transatlantic pop No.1 with ease. A late-period resurgence led to him working with Jeff Lynne on sessions that produced the classic “You Got It,” while “I Drove All Night” (posthumously issued as a single in 1992, but recorded in 1987) took Orbison back into the US Top 10 for the first time in 25 years, and proved that his expressive vocals had lost none of their power over their time. Orbison died of a heart attack in 1988, between Wilburys albums, but his spirit very much pervades the group’s second – and final – album.

Traveling Wilburys highlights: “Not Alone Any More,” “Last Night,” and “Handle With Care”

Listen to the Lefty Wilbury playlist on Spotify .

Tom Petty (aka Charlie T, Jr, Wilbury)

As both a solo artist and leader of The Heartbreakers, Tom Petty has embodied heartland rock like no other artist. The Heartbreakers might have emerged at the height of punk, yet songs such as “American Girl” established the group as a raw roots-rock outfit that could more than hold their own among the political firebrands. As a solo artist, Petty raced to the upper echelons of the charts with the likes of “Free Fallin’” and “I Won’t Back Down.” He has since settled into the role of roots-rock custodian, issuing acclaimed albums at his own pace, while presenting his own radio show, Buried Treasure , on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Traveling Wilburys highlights: “Last Night,” “Cool Dry Place,” and “You Took My Breath Away”

Listen to the Charlie, T, Jr, Wilbury playlist on Spotify .

Jeff Lynne (aka Otis Wilbury)

A leader of Electric Light Orchestra, Jeff Lynne established his group as the 70s’ answer to The Beatles, working up increasingly ambitious pop-rock masterpieces such as “Livin’ Thing” and “Mr. Blue Sky,” which have gone on to define the decade. It’s fitting, then, that in the wake of ELO’s split, Lynne would go on to co-produce George Harrison’s latter-day solo material, and eventually worked with The Beatles themselves when he helped them complete “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love” from unfinished John Lennon demos for the Anthology project in the mid-90s. Though Lynne’s own solo albums have been few and far between, “Every Little Thing” and “She” remain highlights in a hugely varied back catalogue.

Traveling Wilburys Highlights: “Rattled,” “Poor House,” and “Runaway”

Listen to the Otis Wilbury playlist on Spotify .

17 Comments

June 10, 2016 at 9:08 pm

Very informative piece. However, it lists the “Million Dollar Quartet” as Elvis, Jerry Lee, Cash and “The Big O himself”, meaning Roy Orbison. Roy was with Sun Records but was not the fourth member of the “Quartet. That was Carl Perkins.

June 11, 2016 at 1:23 am

Absolutely right, it was Carl (Blue Suede Shoes) Perkins in the famous photo of the million dollar quartet, not Roy. The picture can be seen on the Sun Studios website.

Mick DeLeon

June 15, 2016 at 5:48 pm

And, had he been alive, I’ve no doubt that Carl Perkins would’ve been a Wilbury. He and George were good friends, and Carl was arguably George’s biggest influence.

Wesley Scott

June 11, 2016 at 12:11 am

I Hate to be that guy but, Harrison didn’t pen “Got my mind set on you” it was a cover.

MojoSpindles

October 5, 2017 at 8:12 am

It does read, ‘ while also recording the definitive version of the Rudy Clark-penned ‘Got My Mind Set On You’.

June 11, 2016 at 12:40 am

So, you tease with some mystery about the I.D. of Otis Wilbury. Where’s the intrigue? I see no surprising information, etc.

eljingoslin

June 11, 2016 at 12:56 am

You left out Buster Sidebury, AKA Jim Keltner

Jeffrey Ellis

October 27, 2019 at 6:36 am

Glad you made that point. Jim K was (and still us) a superstar in his own right.

June 11, 2016 at 1:20 am

So sad this world lost such a bright light as Roy Orbison so soon. Not only was he a walking Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame singer, author, performer, he was a source of musical imagination that comes along once in a lifetime. Tom Petty, George Harrison, and Bob Dylan were, and are, stellar musical luminaries in their own right, and together they made a special impact on the world of recording that ended far too soon. Rest well, Lefty and Nelson. Your Stars still shine brightly.

June 11, 2016 at 2:35 am

I’m 59 years old, and I’ve been a Roy Orbison fan as far back as I can remember; listening to my mother’s Mercury LPs. I got to see him in a touring Grand Ole Opry show, probably in the late 60s. On my 32nd birthday, I lost my job because of an accident at work. So I’m unemployed, stitches in my face with a diabetic wife, AND ROY ORBISON HAD DIED! I tell you, it was tough to go on. Earlier this year, I drove to nearby Vernon, Texas, his birthplace, wearing a Roy Orbison t-shirt. There’s a park there named after him. I had gone to a birthday party for him, but I was a day early and missed it. Maybe next year.

June 11, 2016 at 3:30 am

Well, Harrison had cancer that derived from smoking,but it was a brain tumor that finally took him.

June 11, 2016 at 4:46 am

the last of the supergroups – no one else will ever come close

June 11, 2016 at 7:22 pm

Kevin Wlbury

June 11, 2016 at 8:20 pm

George Harrison didn’t write Got My Mind Set On You. Rudy Clark wrote it and it was first released in 1962. George wanted it to be recorded by the Beatles in ’63/’64.

October 5, 2017 at 8:13 am

‘while also recording the definitive version of the Rudy Clark-penned ‘Got My Mind Set On You’.

jasondraper

June 13, 2016 at 12:23 pm

Thanks to everyone who commented – particularly those who spotted some mistakes. The man who wrote this shall hereafter be known as “Chancer Wilbury” and is being forced to travel from here to John O’Groats with no shoes on!

Bill Royaloak

December 13, 2021 at 2:08 am

…And then there were 3; RIP Charlie Jr.

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THE TRAVELING WILBURYS

The official home of The Traveling Wilburys: George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison.

The Birth of the Traveling Wilburys

Introduction by mo ostin.

The birth of the Traveling Wilburys was a happy accident. Warner Bros. Records’ International Department had asked that George Harrison come up with a B-side for “This Is Love,” a single from his Cloud Nine album. At the time it was customary to couple an A-side with a never-before-heard track, giving the single extra sales value.

This was mid-1988. Cloud Nine was just out. George, along with cowriter Jeff Lynne and their friends Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison, had been hanging out in Dylan’s studio. I suppose George figured that as long as his pals were on hand, why not use them to knock off this flipside?

The Wilbury Timeline

Explore the story of The Traveling Wilburys through our interactive timeline, featuring videos, music, key dates, release dates and much more.

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End of the line.

End Of The Line – released 1989 © 2007 T. Wilbury Limited

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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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

Listen to this article

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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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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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.

You can also read:

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• The 10 Best Anne Murray Songs of All-Time
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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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1- The Traveling Wilburys recorded two albums, the first in 1988 and the second in 1990, though Roy Orbison died before the second was laid down.

2- The Traveling Wilburys were the original rock ‘n’ roll supergroup. They consisted of Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Beatle George Harrison, Roy Orbison and ELO’s Jeff Lynne.

3- Their 1988 album  Travelling Wilburys Volume One  won the 1989 Grammy award for Best Rock Performance by a Group with Vocals.

4- According to Petty, Harrison’s dream for the Wilburys was to handpick the participants and create “the perfect little band”, but the criteria for inclusion were governed most by “who you could hang out with

5- The band came together in April 1988,  when Harrison was in Los Angeles to oversee the filming of his HandMade production  Checking Out .

6- George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Roy Orbison, all contributed verses to “Handle With Care” which was to be the B-side. The record company rejected it as a B-side because they felt that the song was “too good to throw away,” and thus the first steps to “Volume 1” began. “That’s What It Takes” and “Zig Zag” took the place as the B-side, depending on what country released the single.

7- They were so super, in fact, that at first blush the Traveling Wilburys sounded like a cruel hoax. Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty in the same band? That couldn’t happen, right? But it did – and on Oct. 18, 1988, we heard our first full-length proof of their union.

8- The band The Traveling Wilburys was formed almost as a joke in order to make a B-side to a George Harrison single This Is Love .

9- Jeff Lynne was leader of the Electric Light Orchestra, Tom Petty’s group was the Heartbreakers and George Harrison was lead guitarist with The Beatles. Genesis was an English rock band whose original lineup was Peter Gabriel, Anthony Phillips, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Chris Stewart. Phil Collins also played drums with Genesis.

10- ‘Traveling Wilburys Vol.1’ was followed by ‘Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3’ in 1980. The reason for this was given as “George being George”. I made up all the wrong answers. In 2007 a box set, ‘The Traveling Wilburys Collection’, containing both albums and a DVD, was released. It went straight to number one in the UK, and also charted at number 9 in the US Billboard 200.

11- Their debut album  Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1  proved an enduring critical success, in 1989 and 1990 winning accolades such as a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group.

12- Roy Orbison sadly died in December 1988, so was not on the second album. The video for the Vol.1 song ‘End of the Line’, shows a rocking chair and Roy Orbison’s guitar as a tribute over his vocals.

13- Harrison first suggested “the Trembling Wilburys” as the group’s name; at Lynne’s suggestion, they amended it to “Traveling Wilburys”

14- “End of the Line” takes place on a train. The four surviving Wilburys take turns singing their parts and when Roy’s turn comes up (after Tom sings “maybe somewhere when somebody plays Purple Haze”) the train enters a tunnel and the lights dim. If you remember the video, next to Tom is a picture frame with Roy’s photo in it, possibly from a photo shoot for his “Mystery Girl” album and a rocking chair with his guitar is between Jeff and Bob.

15- They were named after a slang term that 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.”

16- George Harrison first mentioned the Traveling Wilburys publicly during a radio interview with Bob Coburn on the show  Rockline  in February 1988

17- Tom Petty was Charlie T. Wilbury Jr. on the first album and Muddy Wilbury on the second, George Harrison was Nelson Wilbury and Spike Wilbury and Jeff Lynne was Otis Wilbury and Clayton Wilbury.

http://www.songfacts.com/facts-the_traveling_wilburys.php

http://www.wiki-zero.net/index.php?q=aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvVHJhdmVsaW5nX1dpbGJ1cnlz

bob dylan george harrison facts Roy Orbison facts tom petty facts Traveling Wilburys Traveling Wilburys band members Traveling Wilburys facts

You need Fact 19. End of the Line was recorded in Los Angeles but what train and where was it running in the video?

I think…. it might have been old Number 3 out of Railroad 1897 at Jamestown California. That looks like the proper countryside. Please find out.

This was one of the best band ever.. the talent was amazing

The very first time I heard THEM I fell in love with their music. I hunted for YEARS looking for the 2nd album to complete the set. Then found out there never was a second album. Never the less…the Wilbury’s were (after Tom and the Heartbreakers), in my opinion the best band ever. Dripping with talent, but not one hint of egotism amongst them…

3 is the second and final studio album by the Traveling Wilburys, a group consisting of George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. It was released on October 29,

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Who are the Surviving Members of the Traveling Wilburys?

By Happy Sharer

Introduction

The Traveling Wilburys were a supergroup composed of five legendary musicians: George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Bob Dylan. Formed in 1988, the group released two studio albums and became one of the most successful rock groups of the late 80s and early 90s. In this article, we will explore who are the surviving members of the Traveling Wilburys and look back at their music and legacy.

A Biographical Look at the Surviving Members of the Traveling Wilburys

George Harrison was born in Liverpool, England in 1943. He is best known as the lead guitarist for The Beatles. After the band disbanded in 1970, Harrison pursued a solo career and released several critically acclaimed albums. In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beatles.

Jeff Lynne was born in Birmingham, England in 1947. He is best known as the frontman of the rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). He has also collaborated with George Harrison, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison. In 2005, Lynne was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of ELO.

Tom Petty was born in Gainesville, Florida in 1950. He is best known as the frontman of the rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He has also collaborated with George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Roy Orbison. In 2002, Petty was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Heartbreakers.

Roy Orbison was born in Vernon, Texas in 1936. He is best known as a pioneering singer-songwriter of the rock and roll era. He released several critically acclaimed albums and scored numerous hits throughout his career. In 1987, Orbison was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.

An Overview of What the Traveling Wilburys Accomplished and Who is Left

The Traveling Wilburys released two studio albums, “Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1” in 1988 and “Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3” in 1990. Both albums were commercially successful and received positive reviews from critics. They won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group for their song “Handle With Care.”

Sadly, Roy Orbison passed away in 1988 before the release of “Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3.” Of the four remaining members of the group, George Harrison passed away in 2001, leaving Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan as the only surviving members. All three have continued to have successful solo careers since the disbandment of the Traveling Wilburys.

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

George Harrison was the leader of the group and wrote most of the songs. His guitar playing was the backbone of the band and provided a unique sound. His songwriting skills helped craft some of the group’s biggest hits, such as “End of the Line” and “Handle With Care.”

Jeff Lynne was a major contributor to the group’s sound. He was responsible for producing both albums and wrote several of the songs. His influence can be heard in the group’s use of keyboards and synthesizers. His songwriting skills, along with those of George Harrison, helped create some of the band’s biggest hits, such as “Nobody’s Child” and “She’s My Baby.”

Tom Petty was the voice of the group and wrote some of the band’s biggest hits, such as “Heading for the Light” and “Last Night.” His powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence added a new dimension to the group’s sound. His songwriting skills were an integral part of the group’s success.

Roy Orbison was the elder statesman of the group and brought a unique vocal style to the band. His melodic singing style was a perfect complement to the other members’ voices. His songwriting skills were also a major factor in the group’s success, as evidenced by his contribution to the song “Handle With Care.”

A Look Back at the Music and Legacy of the Traveling Wilburys

The Traveling Wilburys created some of the most memorable songs of the late 80s and early 90s. Some of their most popular songs include “End of the Line,” “Handle With Care,” “Not Alone Any More,” and “She’s My Baby.”

The Traveling Wilburys had a major impact on popular music. Their music was a mix of rock, pop, and country that appealed to a wide range of audiences. They helped expand the boundaries of popular music and influenced many subsequent artists.

The Traveling Wilburys left behind a lasting legacy. Their music continues to be appreciated by fans around the world. Their albums are still popular and their songs are still played on the radio. They remain one of the most influential bands of the late 20th century.

Exploring the Musical Chemistry of the Traveling Wilburys and Its Remaining Members

The Traveling Wilburys had a unique musical chemistry that made them stand out from other bands. The combination of George Harrison’s guitar playing, Jeff Lynne’s production skills, Tom Petty’s vocals, and Roy Orbison’s melodic singing style created a sound that was unlike anything else at the time.

Each member of the group brought something unique to the table. George Harrison was the leader and wrote most of the songs. Jeff Lynne was the producer and contributed heavily to the band’s sound. Tom Petty was the voice of the group and wrote some of their biggest hits. Roy Orbison was the elder statesman of the group and brought a unique vocal style to the band.

The Story Behind the Traveling Wilburys and Its Remaining Members

The Traveling Wilburys were formed in 1988 when George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison got together to record a song for a Harrison solo album. The session was so successful that they decided to form a band and record an album. Bob Dylan joined the group shortly afterward and the band was complete.

The name “Traveling Wilburys” was inspired by a line in one of Harrison’s songs. The band recorded their first album, “Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1,” in just six days. They released their second album, “Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3,” in 1990.

Sadly, Roy Orbison passed away in 1988 before the release of “Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3.” George Harrison passed away in 2001, leaving Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan as the only surviving members of the group.

How the Traveling Wilburys Influenced Popular Music and Who is Still Alive Today

The Traveling Wilburys had a major influence on popular music. Their music combined elements of rock, pop, and country, which appealed to a wide range of audiences. They helped expand the boundaries of popular music and inspired many subsequent artists.

Today, only three members of the group are still alive: Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan. All three have gone on to have successful solo careers since the disbandment of the Traveling Wilburys. They remain some of the most influential musicians of the late 20th century.

The Traveling Wilburys were a supergroup composed of five legendary musicians: George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Bob Dylan. They released two studio albums and became one of the most successful rock groups of the late 80s and early 90s. Sadly, Roy Orbison passed away in 1988 and George Harrison passed away in 2001, leaving Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan as the only surviving members. All three have gone on to have successful solo careers since the disbandment of the Traveling Wilburys. The Traveling Wilburys had a major influence on popular music and left behind a lasting legacy.

This article explored who are the surviving members of the Traveling Wilburys. We looked at the biographies of the surviving members, an overview of what the Traveling Wilburys accomplished, how each member contributed to the group’s success, a look back at the music and legacy of the Traveling Wilburys, exploring the musical chemistry of the group and its remaining members, and how the Traveling Wilburys influenced popular music and who is still alive today.

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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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Best Post-Beatles Career, who made the music you liked the best?

This should include albums and singles. Solo works and works with bands not the Beatles. So Wings and Travelling Wilburys count as does the Plastic Ono Band and Ringo’s All Star Band .

• John Lennon
• Paul McCartney
• George Harrison
• Ringo Starr

Note you have to assign 1-4 or it won’t accept your vote.

List of Singles

I don’t think I like the way this poll works. I might scrap it shortly and start over.

Poll restarted. Ranked doesn’t seem to work well.

Now just going by most votes. My apologies.

It is too close between George and John for me to decide so I voted for both. Both are way ahead of Paul and Ringo for me.

I would say Ringo overall, although George’s “What Is Life” is my favorite single solo track from the four contestants.

Paul’s stuff has its moments, but there’s just too much lightweight pop, or a lightweight pop sensibility, for my liking (considering his solo career in its entirety). “Temporary Secretary” is so damn cringey I get muscle cramps when I hear it (fortunately, I’ve been inflicted with it only a very times), and it alone is almost enough to disqualify him altogether. And odd as it may sound, John really hasn’t come up on my radar prominently enough to consider him, although I think “Instant Karma” is quite a nice track.

Not close to me. Imagine is the only genuinely great track any of them made solo, so it has to be John Lennon.

For Lennon : “ Give Peace a Chance ”, “ Instant Karma! ”, “ Imagine ”, “ Happy Xmas (War Is Over) ” and “ Working Class Hero ” are all great songs.

For George : “ Got My Mind Set on You ”, “ What Is Life ”, “ My Sweet Lord ”[ and even “ When We Was Fab ”. And then his work as the center of the Wilburys which had several great songs.

For Paul : Live and Let Die is great.

For Ringo : Nothing great, but seeing him live with the All Star Band was great.

@griffin1977 , I think you forgot to vote.

McCartney hands down. I like a lot of work by the other three but over the last 50+ years Paul’s music has meant more to me than the others combined.

All four have songs I like, even Bitter Ol’ John.

But Paul made the most good stuff.

Paul, for Mull of Kintyre , Pipes of Peace , Ebony and Ivory but ultimately really for We All Stand Together .

Not a Harrison song, it’s a cover from 1962 by James Ray. Harrison’s version was orchestrated and produce by Jeff Lynne and members of ELO were the backing band.

My vote goes to Paul, I think he was always the better song writer of the bunch. Anyone that brings the remaining members of Nirvana out to play with him and his band during a concert in Seattle is the winner. Hearing Paul sing Smells Like Teen Spirit with Dave Grohl on the drums and Christ Novoselic on bass was a truly memorable event.

I voted George: I like the music (especially TW) and gave him a mental bonus point for his uneven but occasionally excellent career as a movie producer.

I also give him a bonus for the Monty Python Movies. I have to.

There’s a lot more great stuff besides those, too.

Some stinkers, of course. But a couple of genuine classics in the mix, beyond the Python.

It was a hard choice for me.

I love them all for different reasons.

Paul put out the most good stuff imo. George put out the best stuff imo, but had a lot of garbage too. So to me, the best post-Beatles stuff came from George, but Paul is the one I could make a playlist for and listen to it for hours. Wings and a Wilburys were both great.

John and Ringo were the ones whose musical output/songwriting was most helped by being with the other Beatles (again, imo).

I will say that if Ringo had decided to just go full-blown country artist in the 70s, I suspect I’d like his post-Beatles stuff much more. Beaucoups of Blues was amazing. He works much better as a C&W guy than a “rocker.”

I’d say those are all good (or at least ok) songs. Imagine is the only great song.

McCartney, easily. Sure, he had plenty of mediocre songs, but his best solo stuff - Live and Let Die, Maybe I’m Amazed, Band on the Run, Tug of War, Let ‘Em In, Wonderful Christmastime (just kidding) - rivals his work with the Fab Four.

Lennon’s solo stuff is good, but nowhere near as memorable as McCartney’s. And you can only listen to so many songs about his life with Yoko Ono, IMHO.

There is plenty of good solo George stuff, and Ringo has his moments. But most of Ringo’s good tunes were written by the other Beatles.

I got to agree with this, but I voted for George because of the Traveling Wilburys.

I voted Paul and George, but probably more George songs stick out for me than Paul.

Never listened to much Ringo stuff. John, I can’t think of more than one or two songs. To be fair, he’s also been dead 40 years.

Lennon had way more than Imagine . (I do love the song)

Good grief, listen to Watching the wheels

Paul’s pop songs and Ringo needing help with every album(the Man can only sing about 3 notes) I love them both. But come on, they aren’t at Johns level. George was brilliant but less prolific. I agree the Wilburys were a great idea and took much talent. George wasn’t the best talent there. He certainly held his own.

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( Getty Images; Realtor.com )

Tom Petty’s Marvelous Malibu Compound Will Soon Hit the Market for $19M

Tom Petty ‘s fabulous Malibu compound will soon be for sale at a primo price—$19 million. The musician, who died at age 66 in 2017, purchased the property in 1998.

Built in 1943, the incredible home is currently configured with four bedrooms and 10 baths. There’s 8,500 square feet of living space, including a recording studio, and the mansion sits on a 2.6-acre parcel.

“This house is such a beautiful place, so full of love,” says the listing agent, Pamela Van Ierland  with Coldwell Banker Realty. “I was friends of the Pettys for 25 years, and every time I came over, the house was so full of music—it was the most magical property I’ve ever seen.”

(Noel Kleinman photography)

With its 10 fountains, ponds with waterfalls, grassy expanses, and flower-filled trellises, the property is “magical,” according to the listing. The location is close to Escondido Beach.

The great room has skylights and a stately fireplace that Petty himself renovated. A wood-paneled library, music room, and chef’s kitchen are adjacent, and the formal dining room seats 16.

Charming touches throughout the home include dark hardwood floors, Spanish tiles, and chandeliers.

The primary suite is luxurious with a fireplace, an enormous closet, and access to a courtyard with a fountain. The bathroom is equally posh with a fireplace.

The two-bedroom guesthouse and garage were turned into Petty’s music studio. There’s a living room in this music space, a bathroom, a pair of recording rooms, and two rehearsal rooms.

Other amenities include a pool, spa, sauna, massage/yoga room, an orchard, and a sport or pickleball court. A whole-house generator is ready to go in case of a power outage. Staff quarters and a one-bedroom guest house complete the estate.

Many famous musicians visited Petty at home over the years. They include George Harrison , Jeff Lynne of ELO , and Jackson Browne , Van Ierland notes.

Petty sang a rollicking mix of Southern and country rock with his first band, The Epics , which later became Mudcrutch . He was best known as the lead singer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers .

The band’s hits include “American Girl,” “Refugee,” and “Free Fallin.'” Petty was also a member of The Traveling Wilburys , along with Roy Orbison and Bob Dylan .

According to Van Ierland, there’s been some interest in the storied property from several musicians—so perhaps Petty’s estate will continue to generate songs for years to come.

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