The Traveling Wilburys songs that featured all members on lead vocals
Over the years, there have been numerous influential and outstanding supergroups, such as CSNY, Cream, and The Highwaymen, to name just a few. However, the most notable of them all is The Traveling Wilburys, a brief yet iconic ensemble that united some of the most legendary musicians in history. While their rootsy sound may feel somewhat tied to its time, their status remains indisputable.
The band, merging the countercultural legends of Bob Dylan and former Beatles guitarist George Harrison, as well as early rock music pioneer Roy Orbison, ELO head honcho Jeff Lynne, and Tom Petty, is akin to the Galacticos of music. On paper, these five, whose work encompassed differing realms but were all of potent creative aptitude, were a lineup like no other. Even the star-studded members of CSNY mostly paled in comparison to what this group represented and had achieved.
Their moment in the spotlight may have been all too fleeting, but there is no denying that this gathering of musical legends marked a historic chapter in rock music. It began in 1987 when Harrison and Lynne, who were co-producing Harrison’s Cloud Nine—the album featuring the hit cover of ‘Got My Mind Set on You’—playfully floated the idea of creating a supergroup. When considering potential members, Harrison chose Dylan, Lynne, and Orbison, his greatest musical inspiration.
Later in 1987, Harrison and Lynne developed a friendship with Petty while he and the Heartbreakers were serving as Dylan’s backing band on the Temples in Flames Tour in Europe. Their camaraderie continued in Los Angeles, fuelled by their mutual passion for rock ‘n’ roll. With Lynne collaborating on Petty’s Full Moon Fever and co-writing songs with Orbison for his long-anticipated comeback album Mystery Girl, his first in a decade, the key elements were set in motion.
Petty later said of Harrison’s instrumental role in the band forming: “None of this would’ve happened without him. It was George’s band – it was always George’s band and it was a dream he had for a long time.”
The supergroup first convened in April 1988 to record ‘Handle with Care’, originally meant to be a bonus track for Harrison. However, the members quickly realised the song’s potential far exceeded a limited release. This led them to record a full album, resulting in October’s Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, which was met with global acclaim. Fans were astounded not only by the formation of this extraordinary collaboration but also by the exceptional quality of the album they produced.
Tragically, Orbison died of a heart attack aged 52 in December of that year. Despite the heartbreak, though, the surviving quartet knew they had more material in the bank and decided to press on with the perplexingly titled Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 in 1990. It was their second and final album and another commercial and critical triumph, a perfect way to bring the curtain down on this ephemeral but historic point in rock.
Given the immense stature of the Traveling Wilburys’ members, it’s remarkable how seamlessly their talents meshed. This balance was achieved by leveraging each artist’s strengths—usually having one lead vocalist while the others provided support. This approach prevented the proverbial “too many cooks” issue and resulted in a sound that was not only strong but also notably democratic. Each member had their moment to shine, creating an anticipatory thrill for listeners as they awaited each turn. Ultimately, it felt like an extended showcase of their unique individual talents.
However, the band members weren’t stupid. Instead of overdoing it, they would all share lead vocals from time to time, and this was an incredibly assertive move. It occurred in just under a third of their compositions, but when it did, it made for some of their finest moments, as they all shone together.
The Traveling Wilburys songs with all members on lead vocals:
- ‘Handle with Care’
- ‘Dirty World’
- ‘Rattled’
- ‘End of the Line’
- ‘She’s My Baby’
- ‘The Devil’s Been Busy’
- ‘Wilbury Twist’
- ‘Nobody’s Child’
Never Miss A Tale
The Far Out Bob Dylan Newsletter
All the latest stories about Bob Dylan from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.