“After for ages”: The catalyst behind the Traveling Wilburys
Most musical miracles can’t really be willed into existence. Even if some fans are clamouring for their favourite acts to make a new record or get back together for one last trip around the world, it’s up to the artists to decide whether they want to put themselves through the merry-go-round of touring and recording.
The Traveling Wilburys may have happened completely by happenstance, but Tom Petty remembered one of his bandmates being the true beginnings of the group.
When looking at the entire band, though, it looked like George Harrison was by far the most enthusiastic about the idea. He had always liked the idea of being in a group and working off of other musicians rather than being a solo artist, and up until the day he died, ‘The Quiet Beatle’ always referred to the Wilburys as his ‘other band’.
And why shouldn’t Harrison be happy about making something new? He had already been burned out on making any new solo material ever since he made abysmal records like Gone Troppo, but Cloud Nine was the first time that he managed to sound current with the times, even earning himself a hit with ‘Got My Mind Set On You’.
Then again, the idea of a band didn’t enter his mind until he started working with Jeff Lynne. The ELO frontman had been quite content to settle into a life behind the production board, but looking at the way they wrangled everyone together, it made sense for Lynne to be the common thread. After all, he had already begun production on Roy Orbison’s album Mystery Girl, and he was also working on Petty’s Full Moon Fever during the production of the first Wilburys record.
Lynne’s role in those sessions went far beyond simply producing tracks. He had a knack for creating a relaxed, collaborative atmosphere where ideas could flow naturally, which was essential when dealing with a group of such strong personalities. Rather than imposing a rigid structure, he allowed each member to bring their own voice to the table while subtly guiding the overall sound.
That balance between control and freedom was crucial in shaping the Wilburys’ identity. With so many iconic songwriters in one room, the potential for creative clashes was always there, but Lynne managed to keep things focused without stifling the spontaneity that made the project so special.
The rest of the band might have been more legendary in some respects, but Lynne’s touch is better heard than seen. Throughout the album’s highlights, like ‘Not Alone Any More’ and ‘Heading for the Light,’ that wall of sound reminiscent of Phil Spector’s best work comes from Lynne’s constantly toying with what the band can do while still keeping in line with their usual styles.
Despite being the new kid in town by comparison, Petty felt that Lynne was the true lynchpin of the entire group in the early days, saying, “We have to blame George. It began slowly. We were all in the same area. I think Jeff was probably the catalyst for George and myself and Roy Orbison being around. Jeff had been after Roy Orbison for ages to make a record. During the Full Moon Fever sessions, we were saying, ‘Let’s do a song for Roy.’”
While it took Dylan some time to come around when they eventually began using his studio for ‘Handle With Care’, all of the magic of the Wilburys was already there from the first time they began singing. As much as their harmony vocals blended on the record, it’s easy to hear Lynne as the unofficial glue tying all of them together, whether that’s harmonising with Petty or putting one small lick in the mix to tie everything together.
So, while the Traveling Wilburys are always going to be thought of as Harrison’s band, Lynne deserves far more credit for managing to get everyone in one place. Some bands get together by accident, but they don’t stay together by accident, and Lynne was the reason why the group managed to make the records they did in the first place.
