Traveling Wilburys
Supergroup of Dylan, Harrison, Lynne, Orbison, and Petty.
The Traveling Wilburys were a British and American supergroup formed in Los Angeles in 1988, consisting of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty. They have been described as perhaps the biggest supergroup of all time. The band formed after the five members recorded a bonus track for a Harrison single, which led to the album Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Genre
- Pop rock
- roots rock
- rock and roll
- folk rock
- Years active
- 1988–1991
- Label
- Wilbury
- Warner Bros.
- Concord
- Past members
- George Harrison
- Jeff Lynne
- Tom Petty
- Bob Dylan
- Roy Orbison
Facts from the source article.
History
George Harrison first publicly mentioned the Traveling Wilburys during a radio interview on Rockline in February 1988, saying he wanted to do an album with himself and some of his mates. The idea had originated with Harrison and Jeff Lynne during sessions for Harrison's 1987 album Cloud Nine, when Harrison suggested they start a band together. Harrison chose Bob Dylan as a potential member, while Lynne opted for Roy Orbison. The term "Wilbury" came from a joking remark Harrison made about burying recording errors in the mix. Harrison initially suggested "the Trembling Wilburys" as the group's name, but at Lynne's suggestion it was amended to "Traveling Wilburys". Harrison and Lynne became friends with Tom Petty in October 1987, when Petty and the Heartbreakers toured Europe as Dylan's backing group. The five musicians bonded over a shared appreciation of Monty Python. According to Petty, Harrison's dream for the Wilburys was to handpick participants and create the perfect little band, with inclusion governed most by who you could hang out with.
Legacy and influence
In The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll, the Traveling Wilburys are described as the ultimate supergroup, with a lineup representing four eras of rock history and including three indisputable gods in Dylan, Harrison, and Orbison. The editors also recognize the band as the antithesis of a supergroup, due to the musicians' adoption of fraternal alter egos and the humor inherent in the project. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that it is impossible to picture a supergroup with a stronger pedigree, yet hard to call the Wilburys a true supergroup because they arrived nearly two decades after the all-star craze peaked and never had the self-important air of other supergroups. Petty agreed that humor and self-effacement were key factors in the Wilburys' success, saying they wanted to make something good in a world that seemed to get uglier. Harrison said the project was an opportunity to put a finger up to the rules by challenging music industry norms. Petty noted that the band developed naturally from a spirit of cooperation and mutual admiration, free from record company or management intervention.
Catalogue reissue and Genesis Publications book
For a stretch in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the two Traveling Wilburys albums were tough to find, mostly out of print. George Harrison, who controlled the rights, chose not to put them back out before he died. That changed in June 2007 with The Traveling Wilburys Collection, a box set that put both albums on CD with extra tracks and added a DVD containing a 25-minute documentary and music videos. It came in a standard edition, a deluxe version with a bigger booklet and extras, and a vinyl deluxe set that swapped the DVD for a 12-inch disc of rare song versions. The collection hit number one in the UK and topped charts in Australia and Ireland, landing at number nine on the US Billboard 200. Within three weeks, it sold half a million copies worldwide and stayed in the UK top five for seven weeks. In November 2009, Genesis Publications announced a limited-edition book, also called The Traveling Wilburys, put together by Olivia Harrison. It featured rare photos, recording notes, handwritten lyrics, and a foreword by Jeff Lynne. At the 2010 US launch, Lynne spoke fondly of the band, calling it a wonderful, marvellous thing to be part of, and noted his sadness over the deaths of Harrison and Roy Orbison.
Line-ups
On Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, the pseudonyms were: Nelson Wilbury (George Harrison), Otis Wilbury (Jeff Lynne), Lefty Wilbury (Roy Orbison), Charlie T. Wilbury, Jr. (Tom Petty), and Lucky Wilbury (Bob Dylan). On Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, the pseudonyms were: Spike Wilbury (Harrison), Clayton Wilbury (Lynne), Muddy Wilbury (Petty), and Boo Wilbury (Dylan). Session drummer Jim Keltner was given the nickname Buster Sidebury. Overdubs on 2007 bonus tracks were credited to Ayrton Wilbury, the pseudonym for Dhani Harrison. Jim Horn and Ray Cooper played saxophones and percussion on both albums. Guitarist Gary Moore played lead guitar on the Vol. 3 track "She's My Baby" and received the credit Ken Wilbury. Harrison appeared as Nelson Wilbury on a Warner Bros. Christmas promotional album in 1988. In 1992, Harrison credited himself as Spike and Nelson Wilbury on his live album Live in Japan. During a Japanese tour in December 1991, Harrison credited himself as Nakihama Wilbury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Traveling Wilburys from?
Traveling Wilburys originated in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
What genre of music does Traveling Wilburys play?
Traveling Wilburys's music is classified as pop rock, roots rock, rock and roll and folk rock.
Which record labels has Traveling Wilburys released music on?
Traveling Wilburys has released music on Wilbury, Warner Bros. and Concord.
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