TRAVELING WILBURYS: The SAD HISTORY of The GREATEST SUPERGROUP!

The untold story of Traveling Wilburys

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The Traveling Wilburys, formed by chance, are considered one of the most talented supergroups ever. The origins trace back to George Harrison's 1987 album, Cloud Nine, produced by Jeff Lynne of ELO. After years away from music, Harrison wanted to record again and invited Lynne to co-produce. During the sessions, Harrison and Lynne discussed forming a band, picking Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison as members.

In early 1988, while having dinner with Lynne and Orbison, Harrison mentioned his need to record a B-side for his third single. Orbison wanted to observe, and Harrison, needing his guitar from Tom Petty's house, invited Petty to join. Dylan, who had a small studio, was also invited. Surprisingly, Dylan answered Harrison's call and offered his studio, not realizing Orbison didn't recognize "Bob" as Bob Dylan. The initial recording session yielded "Handle With Care."

Harrison's label, Warner Brothers, recognized the song's potential and suggested creating an album instead of using it as a B-side. The musicians, who had busy schedules, managed to carve out ten days to record additional songs at Dave Stewart's home studio. They maintained a relaxed atmosphere, contributing equally to the songwriting and production process.

The band's name, The Traveling Wilburys, emerged from a misinterpreted studio term. Harrison initially suggested "The Trembling Wilburys," but Lynne preferred "The Traveling Wilburys." Contrary to later claims that the name had no deeper meaning, another story credits Prince Charles with suggesting the name after seeing Harrison and Lynne perform.

Despite being aware of the supergroup label, the Wilburys aimed to avoid ego clashes. They treated Dylan as an equal, fostering mutual respect, which was crucial to their chemistry. All songs were credited to the Traveling Wilburys, and each member adopted a pseudonym with a fictional family backstory.

Released in October 1988, their debut album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, was a hit, peaking at number 3 on the charts and selling three million copies in the U.S. Singles like "Handle With Care" and "End of the Line" performed well, though some radio stations were initially hesitant to play them due to Orbison's voice. The band never toured, partly due to their busy schedules and the difficulty in organizing a tour.

The Traveling Wilburys revitalized the careers of Dylan, Orbison, and Petty. Lynne produced Petty's successful solo album Full Moon Fever, and Dylan's Oh Mercy was critically acclaimed. Tragically, Orbison passed away from a heart attack in December 1988, just weeks after the album's release. His posthumous album, Mystery Girl, featuring the hit "You Got It," was also successful.

The band released a second album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, in 1990, skipping the typical sophomore album pressure. It achieved platinum status despite being less well-received than their debut. The Wilburys never replaced Orbison, and with the passing of Harrison and Petty, Lynne and Dylan remain the surviving members.

In 2007, a retrospective box set was released, achieving significant success, including reaching number 1 in multiple territories. The Traveling Wilburys remain a testament to the serendipitous collaboration of legendary musicians who created timeless music.