Traveling Wilburys
The Traveling Wilburys were a British-American supergroup formed in 1988 in Los Angeles.
The Traveling Wilburys were a British-American supergroup formed in 1988 in Los Angeles. The core lineup consisted of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty. The group originated from a recording session intended to produce a B-side for George Harrison’s single 'This Is Love' and released two studio albums before ending activity in 1991.
History
The Traveling Wilburys formed in 1988 after Harrison and Lynne began working on a song for a single release. The project expanded when Dylan, Orbison, and Petty joined, and the collaboration became a full album rather than a one-off track. The group originated from a recording session intended to produce a B-side for George Harrison’s single 'This Is Love' from the album Cloud Nine.
Albums
The group released two studio albums: Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 in 1988 and Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 in 1990. Despite the numbering, there was no commercially released Vol. 2. Roy Orbison died in December 1988, before the second album was completed, but the remaining members later finished and released Vol. 3.
Members and pseudonyms
Each member adopted a Wilbury stage name for the project, reinforcing the group’s lighthearted, informal identity. The lineup centered on five musicians, with Jim Keltner also contributing drums and percussion.
Legacy
The Traveling Wilburys are widely remembered as one of the best-known supergroups in popular music. Their debut album received strong critical attention and the project remains notable for bringing together major solo artists in a single collaborative band. The group had broad international popularity, including in Canada, through the individual fame of their members and the success of their albums on major North American labels and markets.
Key facts
- The group was formed by five already established musicians: Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty.
- They originated from a recording session intended to produce a B-side for George Harrison’s single 'This Is Love' from the album Cloud Nine.
- Their first album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, was released in 1988.
- A second album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, was released in 1990.
- Roy Orbison died in December 1988, before the second album was completed.
The Traveling Wilburys had broad international popularity, including in Canada, through the individual fame of their members and the success of their albums on major North American labels and markets.
Frequently asked questions
Who were the Traveling Wilburys?
When were they formed?
How many albums did they release?
Why was there no Vol. 2 album?
Did they tour?
What happened after Roy Orbison died?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traveling_WilburysSupports: Formation year, origin, membership, genres, years active, album history.
- Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Traveling-WilburysSupports: Identification as a British-American rock group.
- Concord — https://concord.com/artist/the-traveling-wilburys/Supports: Membership and general description of the group.
- Traveling Wilburys Official History — https://www.travelingwilburys.com/historySupports: Origin in a request for a B-side and early development of the project.