Traveling Wilburys, The

Reversing the usual process by which groups break up and give way to solo careers, The Traveling Wilburys were a group made up of successful solo stars.

The group was organised by former Beatle George Harrison, former Electric Light Orchestra leader Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison – thus representing three generations of rock stars.

In 1988, the five (who had known each other for years) came together to record a Harrison B-side single and ended up writing and recording an album on which they shared lead vocals. The five famous band members adopted Wilbury family names and were joined by session drummer Jim Keltner.

It turned out to be a way to transcend the high expectations made of any of them as individuals, and a delighted public sent the album to #3, with two singles, Handle with Care and End of the Line, hitting the charts.

Orbison died of a heart attack only a few weeks after the album’s release.

Two years later, the remaining quartet released a second album, facetiously titled Vol. 3. It was another million-selling hit. This time around their nom de Wilbury‘s changed to Spike Wilbury (Harrison), Clayton Wilbury (Lynne), Muddy Wilbury (Petty) and Boo Wilbury (Dylan).

Nelson Wilbury (George Harrison)
Vocals, guitar
Lucky Wilbury (Bob Dylan)
Vocals, guitar
Lefty Wilbury (Roy Orbison)
Vocals, guitar
Charlie T Wilbury Jr (Tom Petty)
Vocals, guitar, bass
Otis Wilbury (Jeff Lynne)
Vocals, guitar
Buster Sidebury (Jim Keltner)
Drums