What A Supergroup! George Harrison! Bob Dylan! Tom Petty! Roy Orbison! Jeff Lynne!
My blogging friend Clive looks at music through very unique filters, and the other day he did so through “light!” I was inspired by one song he included, from the greatest “supergroup” ever assembled!
So I’m sharing with you a few of their great songs – and I also have the story of the band’s name!
“Heading For The Light!”
This song fit Clive’s focus for music about light, and it’s a great Wilburys tune! Let’s meet them all – let”s start with the left of the photo below and work our way to the right.
One was a folk singer turned poet for our times. Next to him is the guy who created some of the greatest pop music through an orchestra’s filter! Next to him the guy who wrote timeless rockers about the common man – while to his right stood one of rock’s pioneers. And of course, standing on the far right was a member of the greatest band of all time.
Bob Dylan. Jeff Lynne. Tom Petty. Roy Orbison. George Harrison.
In 1988, these incredible Artists came together for a short time and created timeless music…like this one, all about “heading for the light”:
Oh, I didn’t see that big black cloud hanging over me
And when the rain came down, I was nearly drowned
I didn’t know the mess I was in
Shoes are wearing out from walking down this same highway
I don’t see nothing new, but I feel a lot of change
And I get the strangest feeling as I’m
Heading for the light
This song is a perfect choice for songs about “the light”…here’s the video:
These five Artists came together and for a short period created some beautiful music together…let’s listen to some more of it!
Behold The Majesty Of The Wilburys!
Let’s get right to it: here is the catchy “Handle With Care”, which captured their sense of fun, their love of music, and their gorgeous harmonies as well!
The Origin Of The Wilburys – And The Band’s Name!
So here is the story of how this incredible lineup of musicians got together!
In February 1988, George Harrison was promoting his solo album “Cloud Nine” – and was asked what was next…well, Jeff Lynne had just produced the record, so Harrison said cheekily:
“What I’d really like to do next is… to do an album with me and some of my mates… a few tunes, you know. Maybe The Traveling Wilburys… it’s this new group I got: it’s called the Traveling Wilburys, I’d like to do an album with them and later we can all do our own albums again.”
And what a group it was!
The “Secret” Story Of The Traveling Wilburys!
So who are these “Wilburys” anyway? Well, according to wikipedia, “Wilbury” was a slang term first used by Harrison during the recording of “Cloud Nine” with Jeff Lynne. Referring to recording errors created by some faulty equipment, Harrison jokingly remarked to Lynne:
“We’ll bury ’em in the mix”.
“We’ll Bury” Indeed!
From then on, they used the term for any mistakes during the recording, and the band was born!
As you saw from that first video, this was a group that just loved playing music tougher, so they originally got together to record a “b-side” for one of Harrison’s singles.
The resulting song, “Handle With Care”, was so good they decided to do an entire album!
Here is the terrific “End Of The Line” video, also from the first album:
Roy Orbison died shortly after the album was done, so that video pays tribute to him…and the remaining members recorded a followup album, called – with that same wicked sense of humor – “Vol. 3”!
The “Wilbury Twist” with John Candy!
While the death of Orbison was certainly sad, the group released another terrific collection of music, including the “Wilbury Twist” starring John Candy!
The Wilburys only released two albums, but of course Jeff Lynne has kept writing songs and just completed a farewell tour with ELO, including releasing new Electric Light Orchestra music!
If you love ELO like I do, click below to see this music video!
As I said, I was inspired again by Clive’s terrific blog, where he shares great insight about music – like this one about “light” – see it here!
Of course, George Harrison was part of The Beatles, and the incredible “Get Back” documentary looks at the recording of their “Let It Be” album as the Fab Four was struggling to stay together:
This massive documentary on Disney+ includes the entire legendary “rooftop” concert in London – the last time the four ever performed live together!
It’s truly one of the great musical moments of our time…see more about the documentary here:
And of course, Tom Petty was a phenomenal Artist as well…he died too young, but never-before-heard music is still being released from his archives…see some of it here!
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Categories: 70's Music, Art, Classic Rock, Music, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities, The Beatles
johnrieber 
What a supergroup!
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they really were a supergroup and I never saw them in person
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*smile* OK – we come in all shapes and sizes and I am that oddball who lives on opera and symphony and church chorales ! But I knew of all those named naturally – just never realized that they performed together. Shall be wiser by the afternoon and thank you!!!
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We live across from New York’s famous Lincoln Central, where the Metropolitan Opera performs…right now, they have erected a large screen outside in the plaza, put out about 500 folding chairs, and you can watch a recording of one of their operas on the big screen after dark – for free! It’s another reason why this town is so incredible
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*smile* You live in a great part of town! Have forgotten the last time I was at the Lincoln Centre!!! We have had that kind of thing happen here on a smaller scale . . . absolutely wonderful for the many whose love of music attunes. Have way back seen films of a few free Central Park concerts with some European opera greats . . , thanks!
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I forgot Dylan was a part of the group. Loved end of the line. Loved that they could all get together and still create gold!
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Yes, what an interesting choice for him to take part, but his songs like “Congratulations” give the band’s sound a different texture as well – thanks for the comment
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So much talent in one band. I love them.
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What a great backstory for the name. A splendid post, John.
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Thank you for reading and sharing Robbie!
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Great post, great music. And thank you for linking to mine 👍
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You reminded me of how great they were together….and timeless!
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Your appreciation of great music – and how you shine a spotlight on some lesser known Artists, is commendable!
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Thank you, John, that’s kind of you to say 👍
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Despite the wonderful Jeff Lynne being in the band, they never really worked for me, John.
Best wishes, Pete.
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