The Traveling Wilburys were a supergroup formed in 1988, consisting of legendary musicians George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne. What started as a casual collaboration quickly turned into something special, blending each artist’s unique style into a seamless mix of rock, folk, and roots music.
Their debut album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, became a critical and commercial success, featuring hits like “Handle with Care” and “End of the Line.”
Tragically, Roy Orbison passed away shortly after the album’s release, but the remaining members carried on with Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 (intentionally skipping "Vol. 2" as an inside joke).
Though short-lived, the Wilburys left a lasting legacy, proving that even music legends could come together just for fun and create something timeless. Listen to both album uninterrupted
VOL 1 use ☰ to select track
VOL 3 use ☰ to select track
Here are five little-known facts about the Traveling Wilburys:
The Band Was Formed by Accident – The Wilburys came together when George Harrison needed a B-side for his 1987 single This Is Love. He invited Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison to help him record Handle with Care. The song was too good to be just a B-side, so they decided to form a band and make a full album.
They All Used Wilbury Aliases – Each member took on a playful pseudonym as part of the fictional "Wilbury" family: Nelson Wilbury (George Harrison), Otis Wilbury (Jeff Lynne), Charlie T. Wilbury Jr. (Tom Petty), Lefty Wilbury (Roy Orbison), and Lucky Wilbury (Bob Dylan). For Vol. 3, they changed names again.
They Intentionally Skipped "Vol. 2" – After Vol. 1, the band joked about how bootleggers might create fake "Vol. 2" albums. Instead of making a second volume, they humorously named their next release Vol. 3.
Roy Orbison Passed Away Before They Toured – While the Wilburys planned to tour, Roy Orbison’s sudden passing in December 1988 changed their plans. Instead of replacing him, they continued as a four-piece for Vol. 3, paying tribute to him in the End of the Line music video by showing his rocking chair and guitar during his vocal parts.
Their Music Was Out of Print for Over a Decade – Despite their success, both Wilburys albums were out of print from 1996 to 2007, making them rare and expensive to find. In 2007, The Traveling Wilburys Collection was finally re-released, introducing a new generation to their music.
A band born from spontaneity, humor, and legendary talent—pretty amazing, right?